Are Your Lymph Nodes Swollen? How to check and what it means

There are hundreds of tiny, bean-shaped lymph nodes located throughout your body. These nodes form part of the lymphatic system. This is a network that includes tissues and organs which help filter harmful bacteria, viruses and other substances out of your body.

It is often referred to by some as the “security alarm system” of your body because it can detect and respond to threats. You can also think of it as your “trash collectors”, “sewage system”, or the “sanitation service” that removes waste from your tissues.

Feeling Your lymph nodes

Lymphnodes can be found in the neck, armpits and groin.

When they aren’t swollen you can’t feel them.

You can check for swelling by running your fingers over the following areas on your body.

* Move your hand from your ear to your jawline

* Behind your ear and down your neck

* Underneath your jawline

* Anywhere on your neck

* The collarbone and the neck between

* Gently squeeze your chest where your armpit meets the chest

* On the underside of your upper arms, in your armpit

* On the inside of your upper leg, near your groin area

You won’t feel anything out of the ordinary if your lymph nodes do not swell. If they are swollen they can feel like beans or peas under the skin. It’s possible that they are not all swollen at the same moment. They might also feel different sizes. Some might be bigger than others.

Why Are My Lymph Nodes Swollen?

Infections by bacteria or viruses are the most common causes of swollen nodes. They can be caused by any type of infection, including:

* Common Cold

* The Flu

* COVID-19

* Strep throat

* Pink eye

* STI’s

* Tooth infections

As a result, when your body fights off an infection, the lymph nodes will usually swell. They are doing their best to track down and eliminate the germs in your body.

Lymph Nodes & Cancer

Swollen lymph glands can sometimes be linked to cancer.

Cancer cells can break away from a tumor, and then use the lymphatics to spread into other parts of the human body. This is known as stage three cancer.

Your healthcare team might instruct you to check your lymphnodes regularly for changes if you’ve been diagnosed at an early stage of cancer. This can help your healthcare team to monitor how well you are responding to treatment and detect any cancer cells before they spread.

Cancer can sometimes start in the nodes. This is called lymphoma.

The lymph nodes can swell up to the size of grapes. Other lymphoma symptoms include:

* unexpected weight loss

* fatigue

* night sweats

* Frequent or long-lasting infections

* itchiness

Consult a doctor if you notice that your lymph nodes have become very enlarged, or if you experience these symptoms.

Before you panic, keep in mind that swelling lymph nodes is usually caused by something more common like a cold, or flu.