Swollen Lymph Nodes Treatments and Medications

Swollen lymph nodes are a good indicator that the body’s health is being compromised in some way. In most cases, swollen glands are no more ominous than a runny nose. In rare cases, however, swollen lymph nodes can indicate that something serious might be going on, so a visit to a healthcare provider may be in order.

What are swollen lymph nodes?

Swollen lymph nodes are a commonly-experienced sign that the body is responding to an infection or some other problem. Also called lymphadenopathy, swollen lymph nodes are a symptom just like a sore throat or runny nose. However, lymphadenopathy could be a symptom of any number of underlying issues. The healthcare provider’s job is to carefully study the clues to identify and then treat the cause.

The lymphatic system is like an ongoing rinse cycle for the body’s tissues. Lymphatic fluid is blood plasma that squeezes out of the tiniest blood vessels. The fluid flows around cells, delivers nutrients, and rinses away waste materials, dead cells, and foreign invaders like bacteria or viruses.

Eventually, the lymphatic fluid seeps into lymphatic vessels and flows to collection points called lymph nodes which return the fluid to the blood. There are about 600 pea- to bean-sized lymph nodes in the body, mostly clustered in the jaw, side of the neck, collarbone, armpits, and groin area.

Lymph nodes are filled with white blood cells, the immune system’s front line against infections and foreign invaders. The white blood cells filter out and destroy bacteria, dead cells, viruses, and other stuff that passes through the node. When the white blood cells recognize a foreign invader, they kick into action and generate more white blood cells to go after that specific invader.

Once the alarm is sounded, white blood cells in the node can triple, quadruple, or increase by as many as five times in just one 24-hour period. That, in a nutshell, causes lymph nodes to swell.

Most of the time, then, enlarged lymph nodes only mean your body is fighting off an infection or has been triggered by an allergy. However, there are other causes, and some, though rare, can be serious.

Swollen lymph nodes are caused by:

• Infections, such as mononucleosis or strep throat

• Lymph node infection (lymphadenitis)

• Allergies

• Immune system disorders, such as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis or lupus

• Metabolic disorders

• Medicines

• Environmental toxins

• Cancer (Hodgkin lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, leukemia, metastatic breast cancer, and others).

Most patients visit their doctor worrying about the last one, but cancer is discovered in less than 6 out of every 100,000 patients with swollen glands. The vast majority of patients with swollen lymph nodes have benign conditions that resolve in a few days or weeks. However, healthcare providers all agree that swollen lymph nodes require medical care if there are other symptoms such as:

• High fever

• Unexplained weight loss

• Night sweats

• Trouble breathing

• Redness above the swollen nodes

• Excessively enlarged lymph nodes

• Lymph nodes that are swollen for several weeks

• A cluster of swollen lymph nodes that seem to be “joined” together

• Lymph node swelling throughout the body.

How are swollen lymph nodes diagnosed?

In most cases, lymphadenopathy and its cause are diagnosed with a careful medical history and a physical examination. In some cases, testing, imaging, or a biopsy may be required if the cause is not readily apparent.

Most people will be diagnosed and treated by a family physician. Some patients, however, may require a specialist to perform specific tests and treat the underlying condition.

The healthcare provider will primarily look for other symptoms. Some conditions that cause swollen lymph glands, such as strep throat or chickenpox, are readily identifiable based on other symptoms.

The healthcare provider will also feel the lymph nodes in several areas of the body to answer a few important questions:

• Where are the lymph nodes swollen?

• Is the swelling in one place or generalized across the body?

• What do the swollen lymph nodes feel like, soft, firm, hard, or like small pellets?

• Are the swollen lymph nodes tender to the touch?

• Do the swollen lymph nodes feel clumped together like they’re joined?

The answers to all these questions point to possible diagnoses. If the diagnosis is not readily apparent from other symptoms and the nature of the swelling, a detailed medical history usually nails down a cause. On your first visit to a doctor, expect questions like:

• How long have the lymph nodes been swollen?

• What other symptoms do you have?

• Have you traveled anywhere?

• Have you had unprotected sex?

• What medications do you take?

• Do you smoke or drink?

By this point, the doctor will have made a diagnosis or will need to perform blood tests, skin tests, X-rays, or an ultrasound to find the root cause. In the rare cases in which additional tests still don’t arrive at a diagnosis, the doctor will perform a lymph node biopsy if the risk for cancer is high.

Swollen lymph nodes treatment options

Swollen lymph nodes are a symptom, not a disease. Once a diagnosis has been made, the underlying condition will be treated.

Bacterial infections

Bacterial infections will be treated with antibiotics, symptom support, and, sometimes, surgery.

Viral infections

Some viruses, such as HIV infections, can be treated or managed by antiviral medication. If not, the virus will be treated by observation and managing the symptoms.

Other infections

Antifungal or antiparasite medications can help resolve other infections.

Lymphadenitis

Lymphadenitis, a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection of the lymph nodes, is treated with appropriate antimicrobial medications.

Medications or toxins

If swollen lymph nodes are a side effect of medication, the medication will be stopped or changed. If the cause is an environmental toxin, the patient will be asked to avoid exposure.

Allergies and immune disorders

Allergies are treated by allergen avoidance and medications such as antihistamines, decongestants, and corticosteroids. Immune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, can be managed with immunosuppressants or immune-modulating medications.

Cancer

Lymphoma, leukemia, and other cancers that cause swollen lymph nodes will be treated with some combination of chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery.

Managing swollen lymph nodes

As a symptom, swollen lymph nodes can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers, warm compresses, and rest.

Swollen lymph nodes medications

Swollen lymph nodes are a symptom of an underlying condition: bacterial infections, viral infections, immune system disorders, allergies, cancer, and other causes. Each of these will be treated using medications appropriate to the diagnosis.

The pain, discomfort, and swelling of the lymph nodes can be relieved with over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, aspirin, or naproxen.

Choosing the best medication

Patients can effectively manage the discomfort of swollen glands with store-bought pain relievers. People respond differently to various types of pain relievers based on underlying conditions, genetics, and medications they are currently taking. For this reason, the “best” pain reliever is the one that provides the most relief with the fewest side effects.

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Best medications for swollen lymph nodes