Swollen Lymph Nodes & Glands - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

What are Lymph Nodes and Glands?

These are small cells surrounded by an outer membrane called capsule. The lymphatic ducts go in and out of them. The lymphocytes present in the nodes make antibodies which fight the foreign substances and germs. There are other cells also in the lymph nodes called Macrophages which eat away the debris and work as cleaners.

As explained above, the lymph nodes are a battleground where fighting between our immune cells and germs takes place. A bigger organ nearthe stomach called Spleen is another cluster of lymph nodes. When there is a chronic infection, the lymph nodes start to swell. In some cases, there may not be attack by the foreign particles or germs, but our own immune cells start behaving abnormally and attack our own lymph nodes leading to swollen lymph nodes and fever. The modern medical system focuses the use of antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs and steroids to treat the swollen lymph glands but natural systems like Ayurveda uses herbs like Kachnaar, Guggul, Turmeric (Curcumin) and Ashwagandha to treat swollen lymph nodes. It is very important to make early diagnosis and start immediate treatment of lymphadenopathy (Enlarged lymph glands).

What is Lymphatic System?

The lymphatic system in the body is made up of channels and nodes spread all over the body. Lymphe is a tissue fluid surrounding the cells and contains white blood cells (WBC's or lymphocytes), fluid from the intestine (Chyle) and also some RBC's back into circulation through the veins. If the body gets an infection or any antigen or any matter which has to be handled by the immune system, the lymph starts to carry the dead bodies of these infectious germs also, after killing them. The lymphatic nodes become the battleground of the germs (Antigens) and the immune cells (white blood cells).

Major Causes of Swollen Lymph Nodes and glands

There are so many reasons and so many locations where the lymph glands become swollen. Since the lymphatic glands are a battle ground for anti-bodies (Immunity ) and Germs ( Antigens), the infection is one of the major reason for enlargement of lymphatic glands.

Major Causes of Lymph Nodes Enlargement or Lymphadenopathy

1. Abscess in teeth
2. Ear, Nose, Throat infections
3. Cold and cough
4. Skin infections
5. Gingivitis and tooth infections
6. Mononucleosis
7. STD's
8. Tonsillitis
9. Tuberculosis

Areas where the Swollen lymph nodes can be felt are:-

1. Groin - Infections in the lower extremities, injuries in lower extremities hampering lymph flow to upper the body, infection and inflammation of the pelvic organs, pelvic abscess or tuberculosis
2. Neck - ENT infections, Skin and Tonsillitis, Tuberculosis, lymphomas
3. Armpit - Lymphoma, Cancer, skin allergies, infections
4. Chest - Sarcoidosis and lung infections, blood infection, lymphoma
5. Behind the ears - common cold, allergies, asthma, skin conditions, eczema, measles, mumps, chicken pox
6. Under the jaw - Tooth infections, lymphoma, skin infections

Swollen lymph nodes caused by complicated diseases:-

1. Hodgkin's lymphoma
2. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
3. Sarcoidosis
4. Rheumatoid arthritis
5. HIV
6. Leukemia (Blood cancer)

Drugs like Phenytoin (For Epilepsy) and Typhoid immunization can also cause enlarged lymph nodes.

According to Ayurveda – It is known as Lasika Granthi Shoth.When there will be blockage it will result to swelling.