Lymph nodes are known as the “body’s defense line”, and swollen lymph nodes are the symptoms caused by lymph nodes when they help us fight off bacteria, viruses and cancer cells. People should keep a good mind and stable emotions; have a healthy diet and eat more fruits and vegetables to improve self-immunity in general. Stay away from smoke, alcohol, drugs, radiation, pesticides, noise, volatile harmful gases, toxic and harmful heavy metals, etc. Lymph nodes are one of the important organs in the body to produce immune response. A normal person has about 500 to 600 lymph nodes all over the body, and we can touch the lymph nodes in superficial areas. Thus, the superficial lymph nodes have become enlarged and are often the main reason why patients come to the clinic. There are many causes of lymph node enlargement, and lymphoma is only one of the many causes and accounts for only a very small percentage of outpatients. In the majority of cases, swollen lymph nodes may be due to nothing more than laryngitis. The most common sites of swollen lymph nodes are under the jaw and on the sides of the neck, followed by the groin and armpits. When swollen lymph nodes appear, it is important to observe the symptoms and see if there is any other physical discomfort to determine the cause and nature of the swollen lymph nodes. For example, local enlargement of lymph nodes with obvious pain often indicates infection, while progressive painless enlargement often indicates malignant neoplastic disease, and if necessary, lymph node biopsy can be performed to help confirm the diagnosis. 3 common causes of swollen lymph nodes 1. Lymphadenitis: painful sensation Lymphadenitis is the most common cause of swollen lymph nodes, often related to the occurrence of infection in nearby tissues and organs, indicating an inflammatory response in the body, such as suffering from pharyngitis, periodontitis, rhinitis, otitis media, etc. can cause swollen lymph nodes under the jaw or in the neck. In general, infections in the lower extremities can lead to swollen inguinal lymph nodes, and infections in the upper extremities can lead to swollen axillary lymph nodes. Because, lymph nodes are our important peripheral immune organs, when bacteria and viruses flow through them with lymphatic fluid, they may be engulfed or killed by phagocytes in the lymph nodes. At this time, under the stimulation of antigens such as bacteria, toxins, and foreign bodies, macrophages, lymphocytes, and plasma cells can rapidly proliferate, which, together with congestion, exudation, and infiltration of inflammatory cells in the lymph nodes, leads to enlargement of the lymph nodes. In addition to swollen lymph nodes, lymphadenopathy of this type is often accompanied by significant pain, which usually heals quickly after a week or so of anti-inflammatory treatment. Some patients can still touch the lymph nodes much after they are healed, but they do not have any effect on the body. 2.Lymphatic tuberculosis: appearing in bunches Lymphatic tuberculosis is a special kind of chronic infection, which causes enlarged lymph nodes characterized by the appearance of multiple lymph nodes arranged in bunches of beads over time. In addition, a few patients may develop pus, and the wound is difficult to heal after ulceration. If this symptom appears, go to the hospital for examination quickly, and if it is determined to be lymphatic tuberculosis, anti-tuberculosis treatment should be carried out, which can be cured generally in six months to one year. 3.Lymphoma: Progressive enlargement Not only lymphoma has the symptom of “swollen lymph nodes”, we often see the symptom of “swollen lymph nodes” in the description of other common cancers. Some malignant diseases originate in the lymph nodes, such as lymphoma, lymphocytic leukemia, and malignant histiocytosis, said Zhao Xianming. There are also some tumors that metastasize in the lymph nodes, such as lung cancer, stomach cancer and breast cancer. This type of lymph node enlargement is characterized by persistent and progressive enlargement. This is because cancer cells that have metastasized to the corresponding lymph nodes infiltrate and proliferate within them, causing lymph node enlargement. When the local lymph nodes cannot effectively intercept or remove the above invaders, the infection or cancer will spread to the next group of lymph nodes in the direction of lymph node inflow, causing them to become enlarged as well, or the infection and cancer will invade the blood and cause systemic dissemination. Therefore, if lymph nodes are found to be continuously enlarged, the cause must be determined and treated actively, or it may be life-threatening.