Can stress cause swollen lymph nodes? Tense situations can cause us to feel stressed, and, in turn, stress can cause us to develop swollen lymph nodes. But the link is not so direct.
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What are lymph nodes?
stress cause
The body’s lymphatic system is designed to clean and filter blood, removing toxins, bacteria, and dead or damaged cells. The system includes a similar network of lymphatic vessels that drain the fluid and return it to the blood, plus a network of multiple lymph nodes that collect, store, and filter the fluid.
Therefore, your lymph nodes are an essential part of your immune system. They are located throughout your body, primarily in your neck, armpits, groin, and abdomen. These bean-shaped clusters of tissue filter out bacteria and other foreign substances, producing the lymph fluid that carries them away from your body. Lymph nodes are also important in the body’s response to stress.
Just as your heart rate increases during stressful situations, your lymph nodes enlarge as they prepare to deal with the stressor. The extra fluid they produce makes them swell, which is why you may notice them more when you are under stress.
What are swollen lymph nodes?
stress cause swollen lymph nodes? No fuss?” width=”193″ height=”300″ />Swollen lymph nodes are essentially harmless lumps and usually go away within a week or two, but they can also be a sign of something more serious.
Swollen lymph nodes (swollen glands), which are also known as lymphadenitis, can be caused by various conditions and are most commonly linked to viral infections, fungal infection and stress. Stress can also cause lymphatic swelling in other parts of the body, such as the spleen and stomach.
The Causes of Swollen Lymph Nodes
There are several causes of swollen lymph nodes. It is very common for your lymph nodes to swell in response to an infection. So they serve as good signs of infection. They may also swell under stress.
A swollen lymph node may indicate a cold, sore throat, an ear infection, neck pain, abdominal pain, viral infection, bacterial infection, aches and pain, the flu, Epstein-Barr virus or EBV infection, tonsillitis, skin infections, asthma or glandular fever.
Lymph node enlargement can be a sign of serious illness in some cases. Cancer (lymphoma), rheumatoid arthritis, HIV infection, measles, Hodgkin lymphoma, tuberculosis, lupus and syphilis may cause them. Other medical conditions can be implicated as well.
It may be necessary to seek additional treatment in some rare instances to determine the cause of your swollen lymph nodes and review the options with a health care professional or doctor who can decide what steps to take to treat your condition.
Determining the causes of swollen lymph nodes
Before seeking treatment, book an appointment with your doctor to diagnose the cause of your enlarged lymph nodes. Your doctor may need to conduct some procedures to determine the cause of your swollen lymph nodes. A comprehensive diagnostic assessment will include your medical history, a physical examination, blood tests, imaging procedures and biopsy.
The doctor will ask you about any other signs or symptoms that appeared before or during your experience of the swollen glands.
The doctor will request that you undergo a physical examination to determine whether any lymph nodes near the surface of your skin are tender, warm, or red. The doctor can determine the underlying cause of your enlarged lymph nodes and other signs and symptoms based on your swollen lymph nodes’ location.
Furthermore, confirmatory blood tests may be conducted to rule out or confirm suspected underlying diseases. Several different types of tests may be performed depending on the suspected cause. The most common is a complete blood count (CBC), especially white blood cell count. Various disorders may be detected by this test, including infections and leukemia.
To determine potential forms of infection or tumors, the doctor may request that you undergo chest x-rays, computerized tomography (CT) scans or ultrasound.
In some cases, your doctor may need a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. To do this, the doctor will take a biopsy sample or take a whole lymph node for microscopic examination.
Can Stress Cause Swollen Lymph Nodes?
Can stress cause swollen lymph nodes? A swollen lymph node can be a physical manifestation of psychological issues, such as stress. Researchers have found that emotional stress may lower the immune system, which causes the lymphatic system to work harder to keep the body healthy.
Tense situations can cause us to feel stressed, and, in turn, stress can cause us to develop swollen lymph nodes (the technical term for swollen lymph nodes is lymphadenopathy.) But don’t worry: the symptoms of stress-related lymphadenopathy aren’t that severe.
Although various factors can cause swollen lymph nodes, stress and anxiety are the most common culprits. People who are stressed out have a series of changes taking place in their bodies. Some of these changes include an increase in body temperature, perspiration, and heartbeat. These changes can have an impact on the lymphatic system. There can be swelling as well as changes in the function of lymph nodes.
When a person is under stress, they can experience many different symptoms as well. Headaches, migraines, muscle tension, and even shortness of breath can occur. Stress can create tension in the neck, shoulders, and back. This can cause swollen lymph nodes, inflammation or another symptom related to lymph nodes.
When people suffer from a high level of anxiety, they often do not think about how their bodies are functioning. They do not realize that they could be causing swelling in the lymph nodes related to their immune system.
Being stressed out can also cause significant changes to a person’s metabolism. Many people who are feeling overwhelmed also find it challenging to maintain a regular exercise routine. This can cause considerable changes in the function of the lymphatic system.
When we are stressed, our bodies increase stress hormones in the adrenal gland like adrenaline and cortisol, which increase blood pressure, heart rate, night sweats, and blood sugar levels. Increased blood volume and the circulating toxins put pressure on the lymphatic system, causing it to swell, which is why people often experience enlarged lymph nodes when they are stressed. Consequently, a swollen lymph gland can become an early sign of stress-related illnesses.
When the lymphatic system is not working as it should, the immune system can become weak. This can result in major symptoms, as well.
When you have a weak immune system, you will find that you can develop many serious illnesses. So, can stress cause swollen lymph nodes? The answer is now up to you.
Can Anxiety Cause Swollen Lymph Nodes?
Anxiety is the most common mental health disorder in the U.S., with one in five people experiencing it in some form. It’s a normal response to a stressful or anxiety-inducing situation. But, if your body goes on high alert for no reason or for too long, it may result in anxiety disorders.
Symptoms of anxiety include restlessness, panic, increased heart rate, rapid breathing, fatigue, poor concentration, trembling and profuse sweating. People with anxiety experience a combination of these symptoms (i.e., a syndrome).
No wonder, anxiety is known to cause swollen lymph nodes in the neck, under the arm, and in the groin. These swollen lymph nodes are called “glands of the lymphatic system”. This system of glands and lymph vessels helps cleanse the body of harmful toxins and bacteria. When the body is under stress, it may activate the fight or flight response, telling the body to increase adrenaline and cortisol production.
These hormones help the body respond to stressful situations. When the body remains in a constant state of anxiety, the lymphatic system can become overwhelmed, and its ability to fight infections can be compromised.
How to treat stress-related swollen lymph nodes
One of the things you can do to treat swollen lymph nodes quickly is to make sure that you get plenty of fluids, especially water. Water plays a vital role in the health of the lymphatic system because it helps carry nutrients to all parts of the body and removes waste materials. Fluid retention also increases the production of white blood cells, which is what helps fight infection and disease. When you drink plenty of water, you also increase your ability to flush toxins from your body and eliminate waste.
Another way of dealing with swollen lymph nodes effectively is to eat foods rich in vitamin C, such as oranges, bell peppers, grapefruits, and kiwi fruit. You can take vitamin supplements to support your diet.
Relax – One of the essential tips on how to deal with chronic stress that contributes to swollen lymph nodes is to relax. Chronic stress is a result of high levels of stress hormones in the body. It is crucial to release these stress hormones by taking a deep breath and relaxation exercise. Also, make sure that you are getting enough sleep.
When someone does not get enough sleep, stress hormones are released, and the condition starts all over again. A more advanced form of relaxation that is effective in chronic stress is progressive muscle relaxation. You can learn this technique from a certified mental health professional.
Exercise -The best way to deal with chronic stress is to exercise regularly. Studies have shown that people who exercise regularly experience less stress in their lives than those who don’t. If you don’t have the time to exercise regularly, then you can try going for a short walk during the day.
Medications – Many people take medication to deal with chronic stress. These drugs can be beneficial if they are taken in the proper dosage and conditions. It is highly recommended that you discuss any medications with your doctor before taking them. If you are already taking any anxiety medication, talk to your doctor about the possible side effects you might experience while taking the medication. Remember that your doctor knows your medical history, which will help them suggest the proper remedy for you.
Breathing – One of the best tips for dealing with chronic stress is learning how to relax. People suffering from chronic stress usually feel tense all the time, and they hardly ever get a chance to take a deep breath. Instead of worrying about your problems, you should learn to breathe correctly and take a few deep breaths many times daily. When you take deep breaths, you will automatically feel your tension easing out.
When you follow these tips on how to deal with stress, you will notice that you will enjoy your life again with your lymphatic system normalized.
Remember that there are different levels of stress, and you should identify which ones are higher than the others. If you think that your stress levels are getting too high and interfere with your work, relationship, or health, you must see a doctor or mental health professional to recommend the appropriate treatment. You should always keep in mind that stress can be hazardous, and you should not ignore it at any cost.
