Lymph

Question: How long do swollen lymph nodes remain swollen in a baby after a cold? My baby has swollen lymph nodes in his neck from a cold he had a week ago. His lymph nodes are still palpable. Is this normal, or should I be concerned? Anyone else ever experience this with their baby?

Answer: Both of my girls have swollen lymph nodes right now, my oldest has only had that one for about a week. But my youngest has had one for over a year, my Dr. checks it every time and tells me not to worry, she had a few blood tests to make sure she is okay and everything turns out ok. My niece had one for over two years and her mom finally decided to have a Dr. remove it. They went it to remove it and it had grown into her jugular vein the surgery took forever because of that and it ended up being nothing.I say if it stays for to long get a blood test.

Question: What causes the lymph nodes to swell up under the chin and how do I get rid of it? For some reason my lymph nodes around my chin and my upper neck keep coming back along with abscesses on my face one in a while. What causes those two to come back a lot?

Answer: It sounds as if you are dealing with an infection. You need to see a doctor, hopefully is not a big deal. Even a common cold will make your lymph nodes appear to be swollen. This is a good page to read but do not self diagnose yourself, seek professional help. http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/sym/swollen_lymph_nodes.htm

Question: How long should lymph nodes be swollen before you see a doctor? I have 2 in my jaw one has been there for years (it's hard and not like the others.) I also have 2 in my breasts but I thought there were no lymph nodes there? The new ones have been there for about a week. I'm only 17 so I don't think its anything serious like cancer... I don't wanna waste money on a stupid infection.

Answer: If it's been there for years it's most likely not a lymph node. If you have any kind of lump or bump in the breast you need to get it checked out. There are lymph nodes in the breast but it could be something else that is enlarged or swollen. I would go immediately. It doesn't matter if you're just 17. Any lump or irregularity in your breast needs to be checked out. Breast cancer can affect pre-teens, men and senior citizens, not just middle aged women. Even an infection in your breast needs medicine to clear up, otherwise you're looking at serious problems down the road. Go see your doctor.

Question: How big can a lymph be swollen if someone has an infection lets say HIV? Would it be much more bigger than 2cm? How usually big is the lymph at the neck, because i can feel mine and i think it is bigger than 2cm.

Answer: the swelling or size of lymph nodes in response to various infections are often the same. Size does not indicate a certain infection (in most cases)....and with HIV....the lymph nodes (almost always more than 1 and often many more) can remain swollen (often without other symptoms) for long periods of time. It would be a GIGANTIC leap to go from "I have a swollen lymph node" to I may have HIV. ANY infection can cause swollen lymph nodes. Of course, if you feel you may have been exposed from unprotected sex or sharing needles you should get a test to check for HIV (but not because you have swollen lymph nodes)

Question: How can I alleviate lymph node pain associated with cycle? The lymph nodes in my armpits become extremely painful prior to my menstrual cycle. After 25 years of this, I am sick of it. Does anyone have a remedy for this aside from applying heat or ice?

Answer: I think there is a great relationshipe between yout menstrual cycle and your lymph node.. So I think the best thing to do is to use some painkillers for both such as (Nabrogesic or Neurophine for peroids pain or even Panamax but not Morphine)...... Other than that I dont recommend because it might cause some dangerous sid-effects.

Question: Whats the difference between lymph nodes and breast cancer? When doing a self examination at home, is it a lymph node or something more seiouse, how does someone tell the difference between the two?

Answer: Well Ahoy is pretty much correct, except your lymphatic system is all throughout your body, not just the areas she stated.

Question: What causes slightly swollen lymph nodes around the neck? What causes slightly swollen lymph nodes around the neck? I have tested for common viruses particularly HIV. The testing has been over two year with resoundingly negative results. Don't mean to be a hypochondriach, but I think HSV or HPV, which I relatively commonplace, do not mnifest themselves in this manner. Does anyone know what the possible causes might be? Thank you kindly.

Answer: HI. There are a couple of reasons for inflamed lynph nodes. This normally happens with almost all types of infections because the lympatic system is the gateway to get rid of dead bacteria. There are a couple of reasons why you would have chronic lymphadenopathy. Extra pulmonary TB, some carcinomas, lymhatic carcinomas. There are ways to findout if one of these are the culprits. The doctor should be able to distinguish if the nodes are mobile or non-mobile, if they are soft or hard ( nodular) which could mean a cancer of some sort. He should also be able to do an Incision and drainage which could easily isolate and identify a lot of things by doing a culture and sensitivity. Its also possible if you were a chronic smoker before.

Question: Is the swelling of lymph nodes under the arm supposed to be painful? If swelling of lymph nodes under the arm is a symptom of breast cancer, are the wollen lymph nodes supposed to be painful or pain-free? Also, are the swollen lymph nodes supposed to be red or colored, or colorless? Anyone know?

Answer: If the swelling is due to infection then there may or may not be any pain present. Mumps are painful. Many infections affecting the throat cause painful lymph node swelling. Lymph nodes swollen due to breast cancer are usually painless although your body may feel achy elsewhere besides the swollen node or nodes. http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/diagnosis/lymph_nodes.jsp

Question: How do you make your lymph glands more healthy by diet? I am on interferon/ribavirin and wondering how to keep my lymphatic system in good shape, my lymph glands in my neck get swollen from time to time?

Answer: drink plenty of water and exercise, because even tho the lymphatic system has its own pumps exercising makes the process of eliminating wastes much easier and smoother.

Question: How do they remove a lymph node from the neck? I have a swollen lymph node that needs to be removed from my neck (adhered to the carotid artery). How is that surgery done? Is it an office procedure or done in an operating room under general anaesthesia?

Answer: lasers! pew! pew! pew!!

Question: What does it mean when one lymph node becomes swollen and sore? My girlfriend's left lymph node recently became swollen and sore. She said it's happened a few times before (every few months or less maybe). A few days ago she had a high fever but it only lasted a night or so. What's going on?

Answer: Check out Symptoms. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hodgkin%27s_Lymphoma

Question: What are some symptoms of enlarged lymph nodes? I've had tenderness by my armpits, my abdominal area and my neck. I don't know If my lymph nodes are swollen or not. Does it sound like they are and should I seek medical attention?

Answer: The symptoms of enlarged lymph nodes are what you describe: tnederness in a particular area where there are such nodes, as in the neck. It is usually the first indication of the presence of an infection. Fever and pussy discharge will follow if the infection persists. If the swelling subsides in a day or so while drinking a lot of water you should be fine. Otherwise, a doctor will help you.

Question: Is an anterior cervical lymph node that is the size of an almond normal or abnormal? I've had a lymph node in my neck for well over a year that is the size of an almond. Same shape too. I don't feel sick, but I am wondering what the normal size of those lymph nodes are? The one on the other side, I can't even find, but the one on my left side, half way between the ear and the clavicle is the one swollen. It is rubbery and mobile. Should I see the doctor?

Answer: First of all, you've had this for "well over a year" Your own words. Therefore, unless it begins to grow, cause you pain or even changes shape, then you should let your doctor know. Sometimes people get what is called a wen. It's a harmless lump of tissue. There's no other way to describe it. It's useless and the only thing bad about it is it's visible. Sometimes they're really ugly and can get huge. I knew a man a long time ago who had one in the middle of his forehead. As children, we seem to focus on that area when speaking with him. I don't know what happened to him but as a child, it freaked me out. Mind you, this was a lot larger the almond size. To me it seemed like it would jump off this man's head at any given moment. Oh yes, wens do feel rubbery. If it's not bothering you, just leave it alone but make sure you see a Dr is you notice any change. At least it's small enough that you would notice a significant change in it. Good luck. Hope you feel better about it.

Question: How can you tell the difference between lymph or pus coming out of a navel piercing? i have some small white stuff every once in a while, i can't tell if its lymph or pus...how can u tell the difference?

Answer: Lymph is clear to slightly yellowish and quite runny. Pus is thicker and much whiter/yellower often accompanied by red and inflamed skin.

Question: What are the odds that a hard lymph node is serious? I've had a swollen lymph node on the side of my neck for nearly two years. It's hard, painless and not moveable. When I first noticed it, it was about the size of a grape. It's now probably closer to a ping-pong ball, although it's not on the surface so it's difficult to say for sure (it's right under the corner of my jaw, in my neck). I've mentioned it to my doctor before and at first she wasn't able to feel it. The last time I saw her, I pointed it out again and she agreed that it was definitely swollen. I have an appointment in a week where I'll be able to discuss it more with her. Some of the things I've read on the internet are very frightening. Can anyone tell me how likely this is to be serious as compared to an infection or something else? I know only my doctor can answer that for sure, but does anyone have an idea? Thanks! Thanks for all the informative answers. Yunggin, I'm sorry to hear that. I hope you're doing ok. Yeti, I don't know for sure that it's a lymph node. But my doctor (Internal Medicine) felt it and agreed it was a lymph node, so I assume it's the case. Thanks everyone! I'll post an update if I find out more. Well, I saw my doctor and all she did was refer me to an ear, nose and throat specialist. I called several different clinics and can't get in for another month. She also noticed that the lymph node on the other side is hard as well, although not as large. I'm really worried about this, but I'm trying to put it out of my mind until I can see someone.

Answer: I had a similar experience about 6 years back. Although the chances of cancer are small (unless you have a history in your family), you probably don't want to play around here. My growth was near the surface of my skin, and got big very quickly. I eventually had surgery, and it just turned out to be a rare bacterial infection that can cause swollen lymph nodes. I'm no doctor, but the chances are that you have something like that in some way. there are lots of strange, rare, and really weird infections that can cause similar symptoms. The other worry, of course, is lymphoma. It's a really scarey thought, and I think the chances are this is not what's going on, but it's good to have it checked out, and quickly. Given that lymphoma spreads quickly, and is very deadly, it's unlikely you have it, since you've had this thing for a couple years. Either way, get it biopsied!! Now! If that means they need to do minor surgery, than so be it. It's better to be safe than dead (because you did nothing).

Question: How can cancer spread without lymph node involvment? My aunts lymph nodes came back clear but they found lesions on her liver she has been diagnosed with breast cancer.They are doing a liver biopsy.We have no idea right now if they r cancer or nothing Iam praying they are nothing.But how can cancer spead without lymph node involvment? Whats the possibilty this is just nothing? They did blood work came back as non-vascular

Answer: I'm curious what you mean by "they did blood work came back as non-vascular." The truth is that all tumors have some vasculature or they wouldn't be able to survive. Tumors feed on the same oxygen and nutrients that the rest of your body feeds on, and more. As a result, the cancerous cells can enter the blood stream and travel through the body, coming to rest in other locations. The liver is a prime target for these rogue cells because it works like a filter for the blood. The lymphatic system definitely plays a part, but positive nodes do not always precede distant metastases.

Question: What are the consequences of lymph node removal? I had 7 or 8 lymph nodes removed during VATS lung cancer surgery; all were negative for cancer. Now I'm wondering how badly my immune system will be affected by the removal of healthy lymph nodes. Does anyone have an answer for this?

Answer: It will not affect your immune system at all. We have hundreds of lymph nodes throughout our bodies. There can be some problems when an entire chain is removed, but not usually related to the immune system as a whole. Yours were likely removed to make sure they were not involved with your cancer. I’m glad they were not.

Question: How does leukemia affect the lymph nodes? I have a nickle sized enlarged lymph node behind my right ear that has been there for almost a year. It is hard and doesn't hurt.I also have several other swollen lymph nodes that just started showing up in the past month. I am worried that it could mean something seriouse. Please don't tell me to go to the docter because I am going to I just want to have an idea on what they might be.

Answer: I am not sure I know how Lymphoma affects your lymph nodes but I honestly don't think leukemia does. You should go to the leukemia lymphoma website to get further information. http://www.lls.org/hm_lls

Question: What does it mean when you have swollen lymph nodes and joint pain? My lymph nodes are swollen in my armpits and in my neck. My throat is killing me, I have a bad headach, and I'm kind of dizzy. In addition to all of that, nearly all of my joints are killing me. What does all that mean? The doctor prescribed an acne medication for me. It's not working. Does anyone know what I have and what I can do about it? the doctor prescribed the acne medication for my symtpoms, and I'm positive it's not an STD And I don't have a fever

Answer: Might want to get checked out for Lhyme disease.

Question: What would be the ramifications of a missing lymph node? I've recently started retaining lymph in my body and nobody has figured out why. I have to take medication daily - if I miss a single dose I begin to swell. I've recently discovered that I am missing one of the nodes in my neck. Could this be the problem and what are the ramifications of not having that node?

Answer: Typically lymphedema occurs when a whole group of lymph nodes are removed. I don’t know how anyone can tell if you have a missing lymph node as there is not a set number in any particular location and there is no way to count them without removing the entire area and plucking them out of the tissue. People have them removed for biopsy all the time with no problems. I hope they find what is causing yours.