Lymph nodes are small, round glands that are part of the lymphatic system. They are important for the body's immune response and therefore swell as a result of infections and other causes. By checking them, you can quickly spot a health problem. If you notice that they have become enlarged and remain in this state for more than a week, you should see a doctor. Do not hesitate if, in addition to the swelling, they are painful and accompanied by other symptoms.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Feel if the Lymph Nodes Are Swollen
Step 1. Locate them
They are concentrated mostly in the following areas: neck, collarbone, armpits and groin. Once you understand where they are, you will be able to assess whether they are swollen or sore.
There are other groups of lymph nodes in the rest of the body, such as inside the elbows and knees, but they don't normally check to see if they are enlarged
Step 2. Make a comparison with an area without lymph nodes
With three 3 fingers apply some pressure on the forearm. Feel while paying attention to the subcutaneous sensation. This way, you will understand what an area of the body is not prone to swelling.
If they are not swollen, the lymph nodes have a slightly greater density than the surrounding tissue. Only when they get irritated and swollen can you feel them easily
Step 3. Check the lymph nodes on the neck and collarbone
Put the first 3 fingers of both hands behind the ears making circular movements on both sides of the neck below the jaw line. If you feel lumps accompanied by some sensitivity, it could be swollen lymph nodes.
- If you don't feel any lymph nodes, don't worry - this is completely normal.
- Gently press your fingers and move them slowly to feel for any lumps under the skin. Normally the lymph nodes tend to gather in close groups and are about the size of a pea or a bean. If they are healthy, they should be firmer than the surrounding tissue, but not as hard as a stone.
- If you can't find them, tilt your head to the side where you have a hard time feeling them. This position will relax your muscles and allow you to feel them more easily.
Step 4. Locate the lymph nodes in the armpits
Put 3 fingers in the center of the armpit. Then, slowly slide them a few centimeters towards your torso until you find them - they are just above the lateral breast area. They are located near the lower part of the armpit, near the rib cage.
Move your fingers around this area, applying light pressure. Move them to the front and back of your torso, going up and down a few inches
Step 5. Locate the inguinal lymph nodes
Move 3 fingers to where the thigh adjoins the pelvis. Apply light pressure with your fingers to feel the muscles, bones and subcutaneous fat. If you feel a distinct lump in this area, it could be a swollen lymph node.
- Typically, the lymph nodes in this area are located just below a large ligament, so they can be difficult to spot when not swollen.
- Make sure you feel both sides of the groin. This way you can compare and see if one side is swollen.
Step 6. Determine if you have swollen lymph nodes
Do you have a different sensation from that felt when you pressed your fingers on your forearm? Under the skin you should feel the bones and muscles, but if there is a swollen lymph node, the impression is that you have a foreign body. If you feel a lump accompanied by some sensitivity, it could be a swollen lymph node.
Part 2 of 2: Get Your Swollen Lymph Nodes Checked by Your Doctor
Step 1. Watch for swollen lymph nodes
Sometimes, they swell in reaction to a short-lived allergy or illness caused by a bacterium or virus. In these cases, they return to their normal size within a few days. However, if they remain swollen, hard, or sore for more than a week, it is important to see a doctor to determine the cause.
- Do not underestimate the doctor's opinion even if the swelling persists in the absence of other symptoms.
- If you feel any hard lymph nodes that aren't causing you any pain and are larger than 2.5cm, tell your doctor right away.
Step 2. See your doctor right away if you experience certain symptoms
Swollen lymph nodes could indicate that the immune system is fighting a serious disease. If they swell in conjunction with any of the following symptoms, see your doctor right away:
- Unexplained weight loss
- Night sweats
- Persistent fever
- Difficulty swallowing or breathing.
Step 3. Report other symptoms
While not all of them indicate a serious condition, explaining your symptoms to your doctor will allow them to arrive at a diagnosis. Among the most frequent symptoms accompanying swollen lymph nodes consider:
- A runny nose;
- Fever;
- Burning throat;
- Concomitant swelling in several lymph node stations.
Step 4. Determine if the swelling is due to an infection
If you go to your doctor's office with swollen lymph nodes, they will want to check that their condition matches your perception. Then, he will order blood tests or a throat swab to determine if a bacterial or viral infection is causing the swelling.
The sample will be analyzed for the pathogens that most often cause swelling of the lymph nodes, including the most common viruses
Step 5. Get tested for immune system diseases
Your doctor will likely want to evaluate the health of your immune system and will then order a series of tests, including blood tests, to help you understand how your immune defenses work. This way, it will be able to identify if you have a disease that affects the immune system, such as lupus or arthritis, and causes swollen lymph nodes.
Diagnostic tests will allow him to evaluate the functioning of the immune system and to realize if you have low blood values and if there is something abnormal in the lymph nodes
Step 6. Undergo diagnostic tests for cancer
In rare cases, lymph node swelling could indicate cancer of the lymph nodes or other parts of the body. Preliminary tests used to detect cancer may include CBC, x-ray, mammogram, ultrasound, or CT scan. If you suspect cancer, your doctor may suggest a lymph node biopsy that will help detect the presence of cancerous cells.
- Usually, a lymph node biopsy is an outpatient procedure that involves an incision or the introduction of a needle with which a sample of lymph node cells is taken.
- The examination that your doctor will prescribe depends on which lymph nodes you need to analyze and on your diagnostic hypothesis.
