Are you suffering from Swollen Glands?

Having swollen glands (Lymph Nodes) means your immune system is fighting an infection.

Glands are part of the lymphatic system, which fights infection.

The lymphatic system is a network of tissues and organs that help rid the body of toxins, waste and other unwanted materials. The primary function of the lymphatic system is to transport lymph, a fluid containing infection-fighting white blood cells, throughout the body.

Glands are also called lymph nodes.

Lymph nodes become swollen in response to illness, infection, or stress. Swollen lymph nodes are one sign that your lymphatic system is working to rid your body of the responsible agents.

Lymph nodes (glands) in the throat, neck, groin and armpit can swell up when fighting an infection.

For example, if you have a sore throat from a virus, you may get swollen neck glands.

An infection on your leg can cause swollen glands in the groin.

Sexually transmitted infections, such as syphilis or gonorrhea, can cause the lymph nodes in the groin area to swell.

Swollen Lymph Nodes (Glands)Causes

1. Strep throat – Viruses are the most common cause of a sore throat. However, strep throat is an infection in the throat and tonsils caused by bacteria called group A Streptococcus (group A strep).
2. Ear infection
3. Cold or flu
4. Sinus infection
5. Tonsillitis
6. Infected teeth
7. Gingivitis
8. Skin infection
9. Mouth sores
10. Mononucleosis (Mono) – an infectious illness that's usually caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). It's also called mono or “the kissing disease.” You can get the virus through kissing as well as things like sharing drinks or silverware
11. More serious medical problems such as HIV infection,
12. Lymphomas (non-Hodgkin's lymphoma) or other
13. Cancers
14. Lupus may cause swollen lymph glands.

Other causes of swollen lymph nodes(glands) and immune system disorders are:

1. Cat scratch disease (CSD) is a bacterial disease caused by Bartonella henselae.
2. Hodgkin's disease & non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
3. Leukemia
4. Metastasized cancer
5. Measles
6. Toxoplasma gondii parasite, one of the world's most common parasites. Infection usually occurs by eating undercooked contaminated meat, exposure from infected cat feces, or mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy.
7. Tuberculosis

Immune system disorders that cause the lymph nodes to swell include lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

Cancers that spread in the body can cause the lymph nodes to swell. When cancer from one area spreads to the lymph nodes, the survival rate decreases.

Lymphoma

Lymphoma, which is a cancer of the lymphatic system, also causes the lymph nodes to swell.

Medications (Drugs)

Some medications and allergic reactions to medications can cause the lymph nodes to swell. Antiseizure and antimalarial drugs can also cause lymph nodes to swell.

Preventative

Exercise is one of the best ways to increase lymphatic circulation and improve the removal of toxins. The Lymphatic System does not have a pump like our Circulatory System does (where the heart creates a beat which helps push and pump the blood around our body). Instead, the Lymph System requires daily movement of the body (especially our muscular system), and proper breathing, to move lymph through the lymphatic vessels to pass it through the filters in our lymph nodes.

Regular exercise improves your immune system.

We use various naturopathic principles to treat the cause and look for the disharmony in your body and mind to bring your body back to balance. Please see below a brief treatment (Rx) protocol and reference guide, with choices to help improve your health and wellbeing. Click on the headings and links within for more treatment information.