<p>The human body has between 501 and 700 lymph nodes. Most of them are in the abdomen, whereas armpits and groin have about 100 nodes. <br /><br /></p>.<p>They act like military checkpoints. When bacteria, viruses and abnormal or diseased cells pass through the lymph channels, they are stopped at the node from entering into the mainstream. When faced with infection or illness, the lymph nodes accumulate a debris of antibodies, foreign bodies and dead or diseased cells.<br /><br />Lymph nodes, also called as lymph glands, are important for proper functioning of the immune system. However, they have no role in excretion of toxins from the body, which is primarily handled by the liver and kidneys. Though lymph nodes are located all over the body, they are visible and palpable only when they are swollen.<br /><br />Lymph nodes are regional. They drain a particular region of the body, and reflect abnormalities in that region. Common areas where swollen lymph nodes are more prominent, and therefore more readily noticeable, are behind the ear, in the neck, the groin, under the chin and in the armpits. These are usually the areas that doctors check for lymph node enlargement.<br /><br />Detecting lymph nodes<br /><br />A swollen lymph node can be as small as a pea or as large as a cherry. Since certain diseases and medications can cause swelling of the nodes, sharing information about one’s medical history can help the doctor diagnose and treat the inflammation effectively. After a physical examination, blood tests or scans may be required to arrive at a diagnosis.<br /><br />In certain cases, further tests such as lymph node aspiration or a biopsy may be needed. This could be an office-based procedure, a minimally-invasive test that involves the use of thin, needle-like tools to remove a sample of cells from the lymph node. <br />The cells are then sent to a laboratory where they are tested for major diseases, such as cancer. Sometimes, the entire node or a part of node is surgically removed in the operation theatre under anaesthesia, in case the earlier tests are inconclusive.<br /><br />What causes inflammation<br /><br />Lymph glands are normally the size of a pea. In thin people, one may be able to feel even some normal sized glands under the skin. When they are inflamed, they fill with white blood cells, increase in size and become tender. In general, infections are the most common cause of lymph node enlargement.<br /><br />Other causes include inflammation and cancer. There are a wide variety of infections, from a streptococcal throat infection or ear infection, to mononucleosis or even HIV infection, that can cause swelling of lymph nodes. In cancers, determining the involvement of lymph nodes is very important in determining the stage, treatment and prognosis.<br /><br />Symptoms<br /><br />There are various symptoms associated with the enlargement of lymph nodes such as visible enlargement of lymph nodes, swollen abdomen, feeling full after only a small amount of food, chest discomfort, pain or pressure, shortness of breath or cough, fever, fatigue, weight loss, night sweats, etc.<br />Treatment<br /><br />Standard treatment for swollen lymph nodes may include pain relievers and medicines to lower fever. Home remedies such as warm compresses may help reduce symptoms. Treatment for swollen lymph nodes also depends on the underlying cause:<br /><br /> Infection: The most common treatment for swollen lymph nodes caused by a bacterial infection is through antibiotics. In case of any other infection, treatment specific to that condition is given.<br /><br />Immune disorder: If the swollen lymph nodes are a result of certain conditions, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, treatment is directed at the underlying condition.<br /><br />Cancer: Swollen nodes caused by cancer may require surgery, radiation or chemotherapy.<br /><br />Swollen lymph nodes may sometimes become smaller on their own without any treatment. In some cases, the doctor may wish to monitor them without treatment. Those caused by cancer, however, may persist until the cancer is treated.<br /><br /><em>(The author is head of department & consultant medical oncologist, Manipal Hospitals, Bengaluru)</em></p>
<p>The human body has between 501 and 700 lymph nodes. Most of them are in the abdomen, whereas armpits and groin have about 100 nodes. <br /><br /></p>.<p>They act like military checkpoints. When bacteria, viruses and abnormal or diseased cells pass through the lymph channels, they are stopped at the node from entering into the mainstream. When faced with infection or illness, the lymph nodes accumulate a debris of antibodies, foreign bodies and dead or diseased cells.<br /><br />Lymph nodes, also called as lymph glands, are important for proper functioning of the immune system. However, they have no role in excretion of toxins from the body, which is primarily handled by the liver and kidneys. Though lymph nodes are located all over the body, they are visible and palpable only when they are swollen.<br /><br />Lymph nodes are regional. They drain a particular region of the body, and reflect abnormalities in that region. Common areas where swollen lymph nodes are more prominent, and therefore more readily noticeable, are behind the ear, in the neck, the groin, under the chin and in the armpits. These are usually the areas that doctors check for lymph node enlargement.<br /><br />Detecting lymph nodes<br /><br />A swollen lymph node can be as small as a pea or as large as a cherry. Since certain diseases and medications can cause swelling of the nodes, sharing information about one’s medical history can help the doctor diagnose and treat the inflammation effectively. After a physical examination, blood tests or scans may be required to arrive at a diagnosis.<br /><br />In certain cases, further tests such as lymph node aspiration or a biopsy may be needed. This could be an office-based procedure, a minimally-invasive test that involves the use of thin, needle-like tools to remove a sample of cells from the lymph node. <br />The cells are then sent to a laboratory where they are tested for major diseases, such as cancer. Sometimes, the entire node or a part of node is surgically removed in the operation theatre under anaesthesia, in case the earlier tests are inconclusive.<br /><br />What causes inflammation<br /><br />Lymph glands are normally the size of a pea. In thin people, one may be able to feel even some normal sized glands under the skin. When they are inflamed, they fill with white blood cells, increase in size and become tender. In general, infections are the most common cause of lymph node enlargement.<br /><br />Other causes include inflammation and cancer. There are a wide variety of infections, from a streptococcal throat infection or ear infection, to mononucleosis or even HIV infection, that can cause swelling of lymph nodes. In cancers, determining the involvement of lymph nodes is very important in determining the stage, treatment and prognosis.<br /><br />Symptoms<br /><br />There are various symptoms associated with the enlargement of lymph nodes such as visible enlargement of lymph nodes, swollen abdomen, feeling full after only a small amount of food, chest discomfort, pain or pressure, shortness of breath or cough, fever, fatigue, weight loss, night sweats, etc.<br />Treatment<br /><br />Standard treatment for swollen lymph nodes may include pain relievers and medicines to lower fever. Home remedies such as warm compresses may help reduce symptoms. Treatment for swollen lymph nodes also depends on the underlying cause:<br /><br /> Infection: The most common treatment for swollen lymph nodes caused by a bacterial infection is through antibiotics. In case of any other infection, treatment specific to that condition is given.<br /><br />Immune disorder: If the swollen lymph nodes are a result of certain conditions, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, treatment is directed at the underlying condition.<br /><br />Cancer: Swollen nodes caused by cancer may require surgery, radiation or chemotherapy.<br /><br />Swollen lymph nodes may sometimes become smaller on their own without any treatment. In some cases, the doctor may wish to monitor them without treatment. Those caused by cancer, however, may persist until the cancer is treated.<br /><br /><em>(The author is head of department & consultant medical oncologist, Manipal Hospitals, Bengaluru)</em></p>
