Swelling that doesn’t go away for more than two weeks
Fever, weight loss, or pain that you can’t explain
A lymph gland that grows quickly or gets hard
Several large lymph nodes spread out in different body parts
How Doctors Tell If Lymph Nodes Are Swollen
If you go to the doctor with a swollen lymph node, they will do a physical check, ask about your medical history, and may suggest imaging tests or a biopsy to find out why the node is swelling.
Choices for Treatment
What you do to treat swollen lymph nodes depends on what’s causing them. If the swelling is caused by an infection, your doctor may give you medicines or suggest pain killers that you can buy without a prescription. If the swelling is caused by an inflammatory disease, your doctor may suggest drugs that weaken the immune system or ease the symptoms. If the swelling is caused by cancer, you may be able to get chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgery to remove the lymph nodes that are swollen.
In conclusion
While swollen lymph nodes in the neck may be a sign of an illness, they are usually nothing to worry about. If you know what the symptoms and signs of swollen lymph nodes are and when to see a doctor, you can make sure that you get quick care and treatment if you need it. Remember that you should see a doctor right away if you have a swollen lymph node that won’t go away, grows quickly, or is followed by other symptoms.
