Swollen glands in the neck- Causes and diagnosis
Swollen glands in the neck are generally one of the signs of your body warding off an illness or an infection. Most of the times, they simply return to the normal size as soon as their aim is achieved. A little-known fact about the swollen glands in the neck is that they are actually lymph nodes. These lymph nodes are present in the lymphatic system and are very important for the healthy functioning of the body.

Here are some more things you need to know about the swollen glands in the neck.

Why do glands swell up?

• Glands are round and bean-like in their shape. They have immune cells, known as lymphocytes, present inside them. These cells are responsible for fighting off bacteria, viruses, and other foreign bodies that cause infections.
• While these lymphocytes are fighting off the antibodies, the lymph nodes or the glands tend to swell up as a reaction to their attack. Therefore, it is one of the main causes for the glands to swell up.
• Additionally, the lymph nodes may be exposed to a variety of germs and infections. Even a simple cold or an ear infection can cause the glands in the neck to swell up.

What are the rare causes of glands to swell up?

The rare cases that result in swollen glands in the neck include:

• Having tuberculosis is one of the rare causes for the lymph nodes or the glands to swell up. As it is an infection of the lungs, the glands in the neck may get affected.
• Any issue with the immune system, such as lupus, may also result in swollen glands in the neck.
• There are some kinds of cancers also that may be the reason behind the swollen glands in the neck that one may be experiencing. These include lymphoma, which is cancer affecting the lymphatic system, and even leukemia, which is a cancer of the bloodstream.

When would I need to see the doctor regarding this problem?

In most of the cases, the glands will shrink back to their normal size once the infection in the body is defeated. However, there are certain situations under which you would need to see the doctor:

• If your glands have swollen all of a sudden and not gradually, then you must get medical help.
• If the glands are extremely large and are not of the normal swollen size.
• Some glands may feel extremely hard, which do not move at all when you shake them, in such a situation it is best to visit a doctor.
• If the swelling of the glands does not settle down after five days in children or two to four week in adults, then a diagnosis is necessary.
• If the swollen glands in the neck cause the area around it to turn purple and red.
• Sudden weight loss, a swelling in the groin or the arm, and even night sweats.

How do I get this problem diagnosed?

To start a treatment for the swollen glands, you would need to first get the problem diagnosed. Here are some of the measures your medical expert may undertake:

• PET scan – A positron emission tomography (PET) scan gives an idea about the chemical changes and activities in the body. This is used to identify different conditions such as heart disease, brain disorders, and even cancers.
• CT scan – In a computed tomography (CT) scan various different X-rays, which may need to be taken from different angles, are put together to understand the complete condition of the body.
• Biopsy – In a biopsy, a lymph node is removed and analyzed under a microscope.

Depending on the severity of the diagnosis, the doctor will recommend a course of treatment, such as antibiotics, radiation therapy, or surgery.