Feeling a tender lump under your jaw or in your armpit can be a source of concern. These noticeable changes often signal that your body is actively responding to an internal process. Understanding the role of these small structures, known as lymph nodes, can help decipher what these sensations might mean for your health.
Understanding Lymph Nodes
Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped organs that are a part of your immune system. They function as filters, monitoring and cleansing the lymph fluid that circulates throughout your body. This fluid carries nutrients and waste products, including bacteria, viruses, cell debris, and abnormal cells, which the lymph nodes trap.
Each lymph node contains specialized white blood cells, such as lymphocytes and macrophages, which identify and destroy harmful substances. You have hundreds of lymph nodes distributed throughout your body, with notable clusters in your neck, armpits, and groin. Normally, lymph nodes are small, often less than 1 centimeter (0.4 inches) across, soft, and not easily felt.
Common Reasons for Swelling and Pain
Swollen and painful lymph nodes, medically termed lymphadenopathy, usually indicate that your immune system is actively fighting an infection or inflammation. This occurs when immune cells accumulate within the nodes to combat pathogens, causing them to enlarge and become tender. The location of the swollen nodes often provides a clue to the source of the problem, as they typically swell near the site of an infection.
Upper respiratory infections, such as common colds, flu, and sinus infections, are frequent causes of swollen lymph nodes in the neck. Viral infections like mononucleosis, measles, and chickenpox can also lead to widespread lymph node swelling. In these cases, the nodes may become tender and increase in size, sometimes up to 1 inch across.
Bacterial infections are another common culprit. Conditions like strep throat, ear infections, and skin infections (such as cellulitis) can cause nearby lymph nodes to swell and become painful. For example, an infected tooth or gum inflammation can result in noticeable swelling in the lymph nodes under the jaw or in the neck.
Less common inflammatory conditions, certain medications, or reactions to vaccinations can also lead to lymph node enlargement. Autoimmune diseases, where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues, can sometimes cause lymph nodes to swell in multiple areas. In most instances, these nodes will return to their normal size as the underlying condition resolves.
When to Seek Medical Attention
While most instances of swollen lymph nodes are harmless and resolve on their own, certain signs warrant medical evaluation. It is advisable to consult a healthcare professional if your swollen lymph nodes have no apparent cause or persist for more than two to four weeks. Rapid growth, increasing size, or if the nodes feel hard, rubbery, or fixed in place (not moving easily under the skin) are also reasons to seek medical advice.
Accompanying Symptoms
Unexplained weight loss
Persistent fever
Night sweats
A cough that does not improve
Difficulty swallowing or breathing
Red or inflamed skin over the swollen nodes
Swelling in lymph nodes in multiple, non-neighboring areas of the body, known as generalized lymphadenopathy, can indicate a systemic issue that requires further investigation.
Diagnostic Steps and Treatment Overview
When you visit a doctor for swollen lymph nodes, the diagnostic process typically begins with a thorough medical history and physical examination. Your doctor will inquire about the duration of swelling, any other symptoms, and your overall health history. During the physical exam, the doctor will carefully check the size, tenderness, warmth, and texture of the lymph nodes, as well as their location.
Depending on the initial assessment, further tests may be ordered to identify the underlying cause. Blood tests, such as a complete blood count, can help detect signs of infection or other conditions. Imaging studies like a chest X-ray or CT scan might be used to visualize deeper lymph nodes or potential sources of infection or tumors. If the cause remains unclear, a lymph node biopsy, where a tissue sample or the entire node is removed for microscopic examination, may be performed to establish a definitive diagnosis.
Treatment for swollen lymph nodes depends entirely on the identified cause. For bacterial infections, antibiotics are typically prescribed. Viral infections, however, do not respond to antibiotics, and treatment usually focuses on managing symptoms while the body fights off the virus. In cases where an autoimmune disorder is responsible, treatment will target the specific condition. If cancer is the cause, specialized treatments such as surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy will be initiated.