Lymph Nodes: Enlarged

Lymph nodes, also known as lymph glands, are small, oval structures found clustered in the neck, armpits, groin, and elsewhere throughout the body. The lymph system responds to infections and foreign substances. The lymph system consists of the spleen, lymph nodes, and small vessels that link all the nodes.

Infection-fighting white blood cells in the lymph nodes trap, attack, and destroy foreign bacteria and particles. Localized infections are confined to lymph glands that swell in a limited area, such as the neck during a throat infection. The glands enlarge when they fight germs or as a reaction to other foreign material.

The range of symptoms includes:

• one or more swollen lumps

• possible tenderness when touched and

• glands that are hard and not moveable

Swollen lymph glands can cause pain and tenderness during colds, flu, sore throat, strep throat, or ear infections. They can also swell with diseases such as mononucleosis, Hodgkin's disease, cancer, and HIV.

Other reasons for swelling include:

• side effects from some medications

• a collection of lymph fluid due to blockage that may be caused by surgery, radiation treatment, or cancers and

• a tumor in the lymph gland

Enlarged, painful lymph glands are usually the result of reactions to infection.

Seek medical evaluation for:

• multiple swollen nodes not associated with a specific site of infection

• a painless lump that feels hard or

• enlarged lymph glands that do not go back to normal within a few days to a week

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