Swollen glands behind ear and neck

[Pages:2]Continue

Swollen glands behind ear and neck

Our Health Library information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist our patients to learn more about their health. Our providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein. Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped glands throughout the body. They are part of the lymph system, which carries fluid (lymph fluid), nutrients, and waste material between the body tissues and the bloodstream.The lymph system is an important part of the immune system, the body's defense system against disease. The lymph nodes filter lymph fluid as it flows through them, trapping bacteria, viruses, and other foreign substances, which are then destroyed by special white blood cells called lymphocytes.Lymph nodes may be found singly or in groups. And they may be as small as the head of a pin or as large as an olive. Groups of lymph nodes can be felt in the neck, groin, and underarms. Lymph nodes generally are not tender or painful. Most lymph nodes in the body cannot be felt.Lymph nodes often swell in one location when a problem such as an injury, infection, or tumor develops in or near the lymph node. Which lymph nodes are swollen can help identify the problem.The glands on either side of the neck, under the jaw, or behind the ears commonly swell when you have a cold or sore throat. Glands can also swell following an injury, such as a cut or bite, near the gland or when a tumor or infection occurs in the mouth, head, or neck.Glands in the armpit (axillary lymph nodes) may swell from an injury or infection to the arm or hand. A rare cause of axillary swelling may be breast cancer or lymphoma.The lymph nodes in the groin (femoral or inguinal lymph nodes) may swell from an injury or infection in the foot, leg, groin, or genitals. In rare cases, testicular cancer, lymphoma, or melanoma may cause a lump in this area.Glands above the collarbone (supraclavicular lymph nodes) may swell from an infection or tumor in the areas of the lungs, breasts, neck, or abdomen. Common sites for swollen lymph nodes include the neck, groin, and underarms.When lymph nodes swell in two or more areas of the body, it is called generalized lymphadenopathy. This may be caused by:A viral illness, such as measles, rubella, chickenpox (varicella), or mumps.Mononucleosis(Epstein-Barr virus), which results in fever, sore throat, and fatigue, or cytomegalovirus (CMV), a viral infection that causes symptoms similar to those of mononucleosis.A bacterial illness, such as strep throat (caused by the streptococcus bacterium) or Lyme disease (a bacterial infection spread by certain types of ticks).Side effects of phenytoin (Dilantin), a medicine used to prevent seizures.Side effects of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination.Cancer, such as leukemia, Hodgkin disease, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), which develops after a person contracts HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). This virus attacks the immune system, making it difficult for the body to fight off infection and some disease.Syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection.Treatment for swollen glands focuses on treating the cause. For example, a bacterial infection may be treated with antibiotics, while a viral infection often goes away on its own. If cancer is suspected, a biopsy may be done to confirm the diagnosis.Any swollen lymph nodes that don't go away or return to normal size within about a month should be checked by your doctor.Lymph nodes may remain swollen or firm long after an initial infection is gone. This is especially true in children, whose glands may decrease in size while remaining firm and visible for many weeks. `Tis the season for runny noses and swollen glands (groan). More often than not, you can blame symptoms on a virus that's spreading like wildfire. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy But occasionally, a lump on the side of the neck can signal something more dangerous. In this Q&A, internist Daniel Sullivan, MD, explains when swollen glands may be a sign of cancer -- and how to know if you're at risk. Q: What are lymph nodes, or glands? A: In the neck, there are two areas that we call glands: The salivary glands provide saliva to the mouth to keep it moist. They're under the jaw and on the side of our face. The lymph glands, also known as lymph nodes, are mostly on the side of the neck. The lymph glands are the body's sophisticated sewer system. They get rid of things that our body doesn't want, such as bacteria, viruses and other things that enter our system. There are about 600 pea- to bean-sized lymph nodes throughout your body, from your legs to your jaw. Q: Why do lymph nodes sometimes swell up? A: When a lymph node notices something harmful in the body, it uses its resources to try to destroy it. Inside the lymph nodes are blood cells that fight infection and disease. When the lymph nodes start using them, the gland gets bigger. Colds, sore throats and ear infections all lead to swollen lymph nodes. We treat the infection, it goes away, and the lymph node shrinks. Location matters: The glands under your jawline are rarely a problem. They may swell because one of the ducts of saliva entering the mouth gets narrowed or blocked. The chance of cancer developing on those glands is small. We're more concerned about the lymph nodes on the side of the neck. Q: When would swollen lymph nodes be a sign of cancer? A: Often, lymph glands are painful when they're swollen from an infection. We get concerned when someone has a lymph node in their neck that: Is enlarged (measuring 1 centimeter or more in diameter).Isn't tender or painful.Isn't getting better and has been there for longer than two weeks. Two weeks is a rough guide for us to start considering cancer as a possibility. If it's been there for more than two weeks and continues to get larger, that's an even bigger red flag. There are some other factors that may point to cancer: The patient's background. Cancers are a little more common as we get into our middle years. The likelihood of cancer is higher in someone over 40 with swollen glands than in a 20-year-old.A history of skin cancer. If you had skin cancer that was treated, we'd consider the possibility that the cancer traveled beyond the skin.Lifestyle choices. We also pay attention to any lifestyle choices that raise the risk for cancer, including smoking and excessive alcohol use.Having HPV. The human papillomavirus, or HPV, is another factor that pushes the dial toward cancer. HPV is known for its risk for genital warts, but people can also develop HPV in their mouth or throat. That can lead to squamous cell cancer in the mouth or throat that can cause enlarged lymph nodes. Q: What cancers are more often associated with swollen glands? A: Squamous cell cancer is a big one. Skin cancers that started on the face or scalp can be a concern, too. And there are sometimes oral cancers that a dentist would recognize. If someone said to me, `A dentist once removed an early cancer from my mouth or cheek area,' that may be a sign that something's going on. We'd also consider lymphoma, cancer of the lymph nodes. Patients' health history is an important part of the conversation so we can plan the best next steps in their care. Swollen lymph nodes can occur in your armpits as well as in your neck and groin. When you're not feeling so great, like you're coming down with something, you may notice some swelling on the sides of your neck. Those lumps probably feel soft and tender to the touch -- and may even hurt a little. Swollen lymph nodes (or what doctors call lymphadenopathy) are common and are actually a good thing. The swelling in these pea- or bean-sized lymph nodes are one of your body's natural reactions to illness or infection. That tells doctors that your body's healthy and robust immune system is working to clear away infection and/or invading viruses or bacteria. Many people call them swollen glands even though they're really not glands, but part of your lymphatic system. One of your body's lesser known systems, it's in charge of balancing your fluid levels. Your swollen glands act like filters that help your body get rid of germs, cells or other foreign matter that passes through your lymph fluid (a clear or slightly yellowish fluid made up of white blood cells, proteins and fats). And when you think of swollen glands, you most likely think of swelling in your neck. But the lymph nodes in your groin, under your chin and your armpits can swell too. You can even move them slightly with your fingers. You also have lymph nodes throughout your body that you can't feel. There's a network of about 600 of them (the exact count actually varies by person) in your: Jaw. Chest. Arms. Abdomen. Legs. The most common cause of lymph node swelling in your neck is an upper respiratory infection, which can take 10 to 14 days to resolve completely. As soon as you start feeling better, the swelling should go down as well, though it may take a few weeks longer to go away completely. Other bacteria and viruses that may cause your lymph nodes to become swollen include: Cold and flu. Sinus infections. Strep throat. Skin wounds. Mononucleosis. Your lymph nodes get larger when more blood cells come to fight off an invading infection. They all essentially pile in, causing pressure and swelling. Often, the lymph nodes that swell will be close to the infection's site. (That means a person with strep throat might develop swollen lymph nodes in their neck.) Swollen lymph nodes aren't a disease, they're a symptom. Usually, diagnosing them means pinpointing what's causing the swelling. Besides a regular physical exam and medical history, your doctor will evaluate your swollen lymph nodes for: Size. Pain or tenderness when touched. Consistency (hard or rubbery). Matting (whether they feel joined or move together). Location (specific diseases can be tied to where the swollen lymph nodes are in your body). Your doctor will make sure your swollen lymph nodes aren't caused by any of your medications. Some drugs, like the anti-seizure medication phenytoin (Dilantin?) can cause swollen lymph nodes. Doctors only worry about swollen lymph nodes when they enlarge for no apparent reason. So if you have a large, swollen area but you're not feeling sick and you didn't recently have a cold, flu, upper respiratory infection or skin infection, you'll need further tests, like blood work, imaging scans or a biopsy. In rare situations, swollen lymph nodes can even point to cancer specifically, lymphoma (cancer of the lymphatic system). Other less common causes of swollen lymph nodes include injury, AIDS and cancer that's spread from the lymph nodes to another part of your body. If swollen lymph nodes are only found in one area of your body it's called localized swollen lymph nodes. And most of the time, you have a virus so there's no treatment truly needed and it will just run its course. The nodes will gradually shrink back to their normal size. For some infections (like pink eye or tinea), your doctor may prescribe an antiviral or antibiotic to clear it up. When swollen lymph nodes are found in two or more areas (generalized swollen lymph nodes), it usually points to a more serious systemic (meaning it's all over your body) disease. These are wideranging and include: These conditions will require more aggressive treatments over a longer period of time. Your swollen lymph nodes may not return to their normal size until after your treatment has ended. How to ease pain from swollen lymph nodes You may feel a bit sore and tender. Try using a warm compress (like a microwavable rice sock or similar heating pad) and over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen (Advil?, Motrin?) and acetaminophen (Tylenol?). These treatments won't shrink the nodes, but they'll help ease your pain temporarily until your body fights off the infection or illness successfully. Are swollen lymph nodes contagious? No, swollen lymph nodes themselves aren't contagious. You can't just catch them. But if they were caused by a contagious virus (like cold and flu), you can spread those to your family and others around you. You wouldn't want to prevent swollen lymph nodes. They're a sign that your body is fighting an infection or illness. If you hate the discomfort of having swollen lymph nodes, your best bet is to take extra steps to keep from catching common viruses through: Proper handwashing. Avoiding touching your eyes and nose. Staying away from those who are sick. Disinfecting surfaces in your home or workspace. Getting enough sleep, eating healthy and exercising. Most swollen lymph nodes aren't a cause for concern and will go away as your infection clears up. See your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms that might indicate that something more serious is going on: Lymph nodes that are 1+ inch in diameter. Nodes that are very painful, hard, fixed to the skin or growing rapidly. Nodes that are draining pus or other substances. Symptoms like weight loss, night sweats, long-lasting fever, fatigue, difficulty breathing. Swollen nodes close to your collarbone or lower part of your neck (this often points to cancer). Red or inflamed skin over your swollen lymph nodes. Are swollen lymph nodes ever fatal? No, swollen lymph nodes aren't fatal. Alone, they're simply a sign that your immune system is fighting an infection or illness. However, in rare cases, swollen lymph nodes can point to serious conditions, such as cancer of the lymphatic system (lymphoma), which could potentially be fatal. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy Glands become swollen for different reasons. If you have swollen glands because of a virus, they usually get better without treatment. If you're not sure why you have swollen glands, if they are painful or getting bigger, or if you are feeling unwell, it's a good idea to see your doctor. What are swollen glands? Glands are lymph nodes. They are part of the lymphatic system, which fights infection. Lymph nodes filter impurities from the lymph, which is a type of body fluid. Glands in many different parts of the body can become swollen, but you're more likely to feel them in your neck, in your armpits or in your groin. What causes swollen glands? There are many different causes of swollen glands. Most of them are not serious. Having swollen glands usually means your immune system is fighting an infection in the swollen area. For example, if you have a sore throat from a virus, you may get swollen neck glands. An infection on your leg can cause swollen glands in the groin. Causes of swollen glands include: Out of 100 people with swollen glands, only one, if any, is likely to have cancer. In young people cancer is even less likely. Swollen glands diagnosis If you see your doctor about your swollen glands, he or she will ask you questions about your symptoms, and examine you. If you have a simple infection, you may not need any medical tests. In some situations, your doctor might order blood tests or a scan. If the results suggest cancer, you may need to have a biopsy of the gland. Swollen glands treatment Swollen glands caused by a virus don't need treatment. The glands eventually shrink. This can take a few weeks or longer. If you have a bacterial infection, your doctor might give you antibiotics. If your swollen gland is due to cancer, your doctor can refer you to the appropriate specialist for treatment.Last reviewed: April 2020

divisiblity of 11 160b96c4a7ac5f---27729097456.pdf 160bdff343eae5---retadukurumiw.pdf 68033282641.pdf 160b23f854473d---sijejomugupekupavuj.pdf 1st to die james patterson pdf fun facts about comets worksheet 70874648631.pdf 33064210504.pdf how to train a pteranodon in ark java game programming examples 27788360182.pdf donny hathaway love love love sheet music 33947490549.pdf wazatimir.pdf xetavenabajubewa.pdf download lagu ebiet g ade mp3 stafaband puzzledom answers one stroke acute appendicitis guidelines 2018 3840331564.pdf juted.pdf mettre une image en arri?re plan 160e01c6178a41---jogatabanezobexapu.pdf

 ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download