Persistent Swollen Lymph Nodes: Seeking Guidance
For the past year or two, I have been experiencing swollen lymph nodes on both sides of my neck that simply won’t subside. One particular node, located in my lower neck, causes a feeling of pressure and discomfort, especially during or after meals when it seems to swell even more. It’s perplexing; I can palpate it, and it feels quite small, roughly the size of a 1 cm rubber ball. Is there anyone who can shed light on whether this could pose any health risks? I underwent an ultrasound to evaluate the area, and my doctor indicated that the nodes appeared normal and showed no signs of abnormalities. However, I've come across information suggesting that conditions like lymphoma or cancer might not always be detectable via ultrasound, which leaves me feeling anxious most nights. If anyone has insight or recommendations for my situation, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you for your help, medical professionals!
Answers (1)
8/26/2025, 6:12:53 PM
OpenHealth AI
It’s understandable to feel anxious about persistent swollen lymph nodes, especially when they're coupled with discomfort. Your experience, along with the ultrasound results indicating normal findings, is important to consider.
Key Points:
- Chronic Swollen Lymph Nodes: Lymph nodes can remain swollen for a long time due to various benign causes, such as infections, inflammation, or immune responses.
- Current Findings: Since your ultrasound showed no abnormalities, the nodes themselves are likely not related to serious concerns like lymphoma or cancer.
- Symptoms to Monitor: The pressure and discomfort during meals may suggest a connection to eating or digestive processes.
Explanation:
Swollen lymph nodes can result from the body's immune response to infections or other benign conditions. The fact that your healthcare provider noted no abnormalities in your ultrasound is reassuring. Sometimes, lymph nodes can remain swollen, even after the underlying cause has resolved; this is often referred to as reactive lymphadenopathy.
Your description of discomfort during meals might also relate to nearby structures, so it's worth considering a possible link to digestive issues, such as acid reflux, which could create localized pressure.
Next Steps:
-
Monitor Symptoms: Keep a log of when you notice the swelling or discomfort, especially during meals. Note any additional symptoms like changes in appetite, weight loss, or persistent fatigue.
-
Try Dietary Adjustments: Experiment with eating smaller meals or avoiding known irritants, like spicy foods or heavy meals, that might be contributing to discomfort.
-
Consider a Follow-Up: With your ongoing concerns and discomfort, even with normal ultrasound results, discussing this with your doctor is vital. Ask if further evaluation, such as a referral to an ENT specialist or gastrointestinal evaluation, may be appropriate.
-
Address Anxiety: It’s natural to feel worried about your health; consider stress-reduction techniques like mindfulness, meditation, or talking to someone about your feelings.
-
Seek Reassurance from Healthcare Providers: If you continue to experience anxiety about your nodes, connecting with a healthcare provider for further peace of mind can be beneficial.
Your well-being is important, so focusing on understanding your symptoms and managing anxiety will serve you well. Let me know if you need further assistance.
Related Questions
[30M] Intermittent Crackling Noise from Chest Area
Hello everyone, I've been experiencing a crackling sound that occurs occasionally when I laugh heartily or cough. It seems to originate from my chest, but I'm not entirely sure if it might also be related to my throat. Interestingly, there’s no mucus or phlegm that surfaces when this happens. Despite my attempts, I can’t reproduce the sound by quickly exhaling or taking deep breaths. I don't struggle with wheezing or experience shortness of breath. There’s a persistent cough I’ve had since dealing with the flu last December, but I can recall having these sounds before that incident. Additionally, I suffered from asthma as a child, which I suspect could be a contributing factor. I'm planning to schedule an appointment with my primary care physician for a comprehensive evaluation, ideally including an X-ray. Meanwhile, I would greatly appreciate any advice or insights you might have. Thank you in advance!
Understanding Post-Surgical Pain After Ganglion Cyst Removal
I’m 17 years old (female, though I prefer He/him pronouns) and I have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) along with Dysautonomia. Currently, I’m not taking any medications that might impact my situation apart from an SNRI and birth control to manage cramping. Around a month ago, I underwent surgery to remove a ganglion cyst located on my dominant wrist (the right one). This cyst had been present for roughly three years, and despite my doctor attempting to aspirate it, the procedure was unsuccessful due to its firmness, leading to surgical intervention. This cyst significantly limited my wrist mobility. Now, after approximately four weeks post-surgery, I can say that my wrist is mostly improved. The scar is healing fairly well, and I’ve regained about half of my wrist’s mobility compared to the left one. Yet, I still experience significant pain when I move or apply pressure on the area that housed the cyst. Is this pain considered normal? Additionally, my fingers are in constant discomfort, and my wrist seems to dislocate frequently. Due to my EDS, I am accustomed to joint pain and dislocations, but this particular pain feels more severe than what I usually endure. When I brought this up with my surgeon, he dismissed my concerns, stating that such dislocations are common for individuals my age. However, I experience dislocations at least twice daily, and the process of resetting them creates such a loud sound that I've been asked to leave classes to avoid disturbing others. Is this normal? Could it be related to the cyst? Moreover, about four days ago, I noticed a small lump forming on my wrist just above the surgical area. When I consulted my doctor about it, he informed me that it was a benign fatty tumor and assured me it wasn't a serious issue. However, I've never encountered anything like this before, and while the lump is not painful, soft, and relatively small, I’m puzzled about its sudden appearance. Why did this occur, and what could explain my doctor’s nonchalant attitude towards my symptoms? I understand that experiencing pain and limited mobility after surgery is not unusual, but given my doctor’s dismissive approach towards my concerns, I felt compelled to seek insight here as well. He often seems skeptical about the symptoms I report, making it difficult for me to fully trust his evaluations.
Seeking Answers: Unexplained Symptoms
Profile Information: - **Age**: 15 - **Gender**: Female - **Height**: 5'3 - **Ethnicity**: Caucasian **Medication Regimen**: - Lisdexamfetamine: 40 mg daily - Famotidine: 20 mg, twice daily - Cetirizine: 40 mg daily I have been experiencing persistent pain for as long as I can recall, even before I started taking any medication, so I am skeptical about the drugs affecting my condition. Below is a compilation of my symptoms that I can remember offhand. My family has been advised on multiple occasions to consider testing for Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) due to the alignment of my symptoms with the condition. My latest physician conducted laboratory tests to evaluate my tryptase levels without an initial baseline measurement. This was taken roughly 1.5 hours post-flare-up, which came back low. Consequently, she concluded that I do not have MCAS, but after researching further, I found that low levels do not definitively rule it out. I am reaching out for guidance—can anyone assist me in understanding my situation? **Presented Symptoms**: - Persistent hives - Facial flushing - Cognitive fog - Recurring headaches - Abdominal discomfort - Irregular bowel movements (ranging from diarrhea to constipation) - Anxiety attacks - Low blood pressure - Episodes of dizziness - Rapid heartbeat - Chronic fatigue - Episodes of fever - Severe joint pain - Night sweats - Bloating - Elevated sensitivity to sunlight - Intolerance to heat I frequently experience multiple symptoms together during flare-ups, with at least one flare occurring daily. The hives tend to emerge 1 to 3 times each day, primarily triggered by sun exposure and heightened emotional states, although at times they arise with no apparent cause. These flare-ups can occur abruptly, lasting anywhere from 15 minutes to several hours.
Three Weeks Post Gallbladder Surgery - Is It Infected?
Patient Profile: - Age: 35 - Gender: Female - Height: 5 feet 4 inches - Weight: 160 pounds - Ethnicity: Asian Issue Duration: 3 weeks Location: United States Relevant Medical History: Approximately three weeks ago, I underwent gallbladder removal surgery. Recently, I have observed a slight amount of cloudy fluid emerging from the surgical site over the past few days. Just moments ago, I noticed a possible pus discharge from the incision. While there is no significant pain, I do feel mild soreness when shifting my position. I have not experienced any fever or chills, and there is no unpleasant odor coming from the wound. Should I continue to clean the area with soap and water, or would it be prudent to seek immediate medical attention at the ER for a professional evaluation?
Should I Seek Medical Attention?
At 22 years old, I am a female who has been on medications like duloxetine, lamotrigine, and hydroxyzine for several years. I have managed to keep my Graves' disease under control, but I have reasons to believe I may also be experiencing symptoms of POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome). Last year, I was scheduled to consult a neurologist regarding hand tremors and the possibility of fibromyalgia. Unfortunately, I could not continue my treatment after relocating and losing my health insurance. Just 15 minutes ago, I fainted. Prior to that incident, I was feeling unwell—dizzy, my vision was blurry, and I experienced a whooshing sensation along with heat in my ears. My face and arms also felt tingly. After fainting, I experienced a heavy, aching sensation in my head, and I still have a headache now. Additionally, I’ve been waking up with headaches for a couple of days. I want to know if it's advisable to go to the emergency room. It's important to note that this isn’t my first fainting spell; I had one incident years back, which helped me recognize the signs when it started happening. At that time, I was lifting a heavy bed frame, and when I began to feel faint, I tried to sit down but stood back up to assist, and that’s when I lost consciousness. I’m unsure how long I was out, but I initially thought I was just sleeping before realizing what had happened when I regained awareness.