Kosmix: Swollen Glands Overview

Definition

The term "swollen glands" refers to enlargement of one or more lymph nodes.

In a child, a node is considered enlarged if it is more than 1 centimeter (0.4 inch) in diameter.

Causes

Infections that commonly cause swollen lymph nodes include mononucleosis, German measles (rubella), tuberculosis, mumps, ear infection, tonsillitis, an abscessed or impacted tooth, gingivitis (swelling of the gums), mouth sores , and sexually transmitted diseases.

Immune or autoimmune disorders that can cause swollen lymph nodes include rheumatoid arthritis and HIV . Cancers that can cause swollen glands include leukemia, Hodgkin's disease , or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma .

Which lymph nodes are swollen depends on the type of problem and the body parts involved. Identifying the location can help determine the possible cause.

Swollen lymph nodes may also be caused by some medications (such ...

Keep reading...

Definition

The term "swollen glands" refers to enlargement of one or more lymph nodes.

In a child, a node is considered enlarged if it is more than 1 centimeter (0.4 inch) in diameter.

Causes

Infections that commonly cause swollen lymph nodes include mononucleosis, German measles (rubella), tuberculosis, mumps, ear infection, tonsillitis, an abscessed or impacted tooth, gingivitis (swelling of the gums), mouth sores , and sexually transmitted diseases.

Immune or autoimmune disorders that can cause swollen lymph nodes include rheumatoid arthritis and HIV . Cancers that can cause swollen glands include leukemia, Hodgkin's disease , or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma .

Which lymph nodes are swollen depends on the type of problem and the body parts involved. Identifying the location can help determine the possible cause.

Swollen lymph nodes may also be caused by some medications (such phenytoin for seizures) or certain vaccinations (such as typhoid immunization).

Considerations

Lymph nodes are glands that play an important part in your body's defense against infection. They produce lymph, which travels throughout your body in the lymph system , and filters impurities from the body.

Common areas where the lymph nodes can be felt (with the fingers) include:

Groin
Armpit
Neck (there is a chain of lymph nodes on either side of the front of the neck, both sides of the neck, and down each side of the back of the neck)
Under the jaw and chin
Behind the ears
On the back of the head

Lymph nodes can become swollen from infection, inflammatory conditions, an abscess , or cancer. Other causes of enlarged lymph nodes are rare. By far, the most common cause of swollen lymph nodes is infection.

When swelling appears suddenly and is painful, it ...

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Other Names

Glands - swollen; Swollen lymph nodes; Lymph nodes - swollen

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your doctor if:

Your glands dont get smaller after several weeks or continue to get larger.
Your swollen glands are red and tender.
Your glands feel hard, irregular, or fixed in place.
You have a fever, night sweats, or unexplained weight loss.
Any node in a child is larger than 1 centimeter in diameter.

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Home Care

Soreness in lymph glands usually disappears in a couple of days without treatment, but the nodes may not return to normal size for several weeks after the infection has cleared. Generally, if glands are painful, it is because they swell rapidly in the early stages of fighting an infection.

References

Abeloff MD. Clinical Oncology . 3rd ed. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier; 2004.

Bisno AL. Infectious Diseases Society of America. Practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of group A streptococcal pharyngitis. Clin Infect Dis . 2002; 35(2): 113-125.

Vincent MT. Pharyngitis. Am Fam Physician . 2004; 69(6): 1465-1470.

Swollen Glands Overview

Swollen Glands Guide

Definition

Causes

Definition

Causes

Considerations

Other Names

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Home Care

References

Yahoo! Answers

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