What Happens When Glands Are Swollen?

The glands, also known as lymph nodes, are part of the immune system, particularly the lymphatic system. They serve as the body’s defenses against infections and diseases. These small round tissues are scattered throughout the body and catch the infections to prevent them from spreading further. You can find glands behind the ears, under the jaws, at the back of the head, under the armpits and in the groin. Why Do Glands Swell? The lymph nodes should be hardly visible when in normal size. However, once they swell, they can reach up to three times their size and you can easily feel it when you run your fingers on the area where the lymph nodes are located. The most common area where lymph nodes swell is under the jaws. This is because the mouth is an open mucus membrane where most bacteria and infectious microorganisms can enter. Since lymph nodes “filter” the infection and the lymph nodes under the jaws are closest to the mouth, it’s the first one to show any swelling. If the infection travels further into the body, the other lymph nodes can start to swell too. Infections near the abdomen and legs, for instance, show swollen groin lymph nodes first because it is the closest. However, swollen lymph nodes also may be caused by other rare disorders. For instance, cancer cells can travel from lymph nodes to other lymph nodes, making it easier for them to spread throughout the body. This is why some cancer patients get their lymph nodes removed along with the cancerous tumor. Other systemic diseases such as arthritis, lupus and HIV/AIDS also cause glandular inflammation. However, because these diseases last for a long time, the nodes can stay swollen. If your lymph nodes have been swollen for weeks without any other symptoms of infection, such as fever and fatigue, contact your general practitioner immediately. Symptoms of Swollen Glands Apart from the noticeable enlargement of the nodes, other symptoms associated with swollen glands are: high fever that lasts for a couple days or more pain and tende ess on the glandular areas fatigue sore throat oral mucositis painful skin over the lymph nodes Do the Glands Affect Teeth? Because some glands are found in the oral and maxillofacial region, it’s common for some people to mistake glandular inflammation for toothache. This is because the nerves around this region are connected to the lymph nodes. The pain from one area in the face can radiate in other nearby areas including the teeth and gums. This can happen the other way around. A tooth infection can make nodes swell especially the ones around the jaws and ears. However, most people assume that the nodes are caused by strep throat or mononucleosis, which are the most common transmissible illnesses that anyone can get from the environment or social contact. How to Know if Swollen Glands are Caused by Tooth Infection It may not be simple to find out what exactly causes swollen nodes, but if your symptoms disappear in a few days after taking medications and bed rest, you don’t have to worry. However, if your symptoms have lasted more than one week or if you are asymptomatic, but your nodes are large and swollen, visit a medical professional immediately. If your swollen lymph nodes seem to be associated with toothache or a global pain around your teeth and gums, visit Emergency Dentists USA for a referral of a dentist near you.