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Swollen lymph gland - knowing all about it!Lymph and lymph glands form a major part of the immune system of our body. They contain white blood cells (lymphocytes) and antibodies, which defend the body against infection. Small lymph glands called lymph nodes occur throughout the body. Lymph glands lying near each other often form into groups or chains. Examples of lymph glands groups are: the sides of the neck, the armpits, and the groins. Lymph glands are connected together by a network of
lymph channels. Lymph is a fluid, which forms between the cells of the body. This watery fluid travels in the lymph channels, through various lymph glands and finally drains into the bloodstream.
What causes swollen lymph glands?
Lymph glands, which lay under the skin, become more noticeable and easier to feel on swelling. They can swell from the size of a pea to the size of marbles or even bigger. Causes of swollen lymph glands include the following.
Infection is the most common cause of their swelling. The lymph glands close to an infection swell quickly and become tender as the immune system tries to fights off infecting germs (bacteria, virus, etc). The lymph glands usually go back to their normal 'pea size' when the infection is dealt with. It can take a week or so for them for gradually going back to normal after the infection.
Other causes
For lymph gland are less common. A cancer can quickly spread to nearby lymph glands. The cancer then grows in the lymph gland and thus causes it to swell. For example, it is common for breast cancer to seed to the lymph glands in the armpit. Throat cancer may seed to neck lymph glands. Lung and gut cancers may seed to lymph glands that you usually cannot see or feel in the chest and abdomen. As a rule, these other causes of swollen lymph glands develop slower than infections, and are painless at first.
Treatment:
The treatment of swollen lymph glands will depend on the cause. Swollen lymph glands act like a 'marker' of various conditions, all with different outlooks and treatments. So, for example, the common cause is due to a viral infection, no specific treatment may be advised. However, if the swollen lymph glands are caused by a cancer or leukaemia, it will definitely need quite extensive treatment.
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- Swollen