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Family Medicine (Expert Forum)
Scared of Constant Swollen Glands
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
KevinMD.com
Questions in the Family Medicine forum are answered by Dr. J.M. Keyes. Topics covered include general health issues, adolescence, babies, child health, eating disorders, fitness, immunizations and vaccines, infectious diseases, medical tests and procedures, and senior health.
Scared of Constant Swollen Glands
by planetmars, Oct 24, 2004 12:00AM
Hello,
I apologize now for the lenghty post!!
I am a 36 year old female in fairly decent health...Last year I noticed under the RIGHT side of my jaw one of my glands more enlarged than the other. It did not hurt, and was not hard, it pulsated when I pressed on it. In January, I went to my Internal Med doc, and he felt it, and said he wasn't too concerned, but ran extensive blood work which all came back normal. He said he thought it was a Salvitory gland (Parotid)...I should add I am a smoker and have pretty bad allergies, and have gum desease.
When the office called with my blood work I had also mentioned that during the time I waited, I also noticed I had a smaller swollen gland behind the left ear lobe...very tiny, but more enlarged than the right side. Same thing, not sore...I just started to feel everywhere on my body because I was so worried waiting for the blood work results. When the doctor called with my blood work results, I mentioned to him about the other one I found behind the ear and without seeing me, he set me up to get a CT Scan.
Well, due to insurance reasons, and that at first he did not seem concerned, I decided to go see a ENT doc before getting the CT scan.
The ENT Doc gave me a thourough lookover and and also did not seem concerned and said glands can be swollen for many reasons like dental problems, sinusis etc...also not being concerned due to the normal blood work. He said they were lymph nodes...No Need to get CT Scan.
Final Doc to see was the Periodontist. After diagnosing me with gum desease and setting up a root scalling, I discussed the gland thing with him, and he say's that my gum problem would not have an effect on the glands. I have not yet had the scalling.
Now I am feeling tenderness under the LEFT side of my throat, that side's gland is not swollen, but I have been experiencing major sinus drainage lately and couhing clear junk out of my throat. I also notice sometimes when I turn my head My throat gets stuck or like the veins click (I don't know how else to explain the sensation). I do not have trouble swollowing, and I have no trouble breathing, but I do have the conastant drainage and sometimes a sour taste in the back of my throat.
My throat is tender, but I have no symptoms such as fever, flu, etc..
I notice when I suck through a straw (Milkshake), or take a drag off cigarette.
My question is...should I still be concerned? I have not been given any antibiotics. Is it possible that something seious could be at play here? Or should I chalk this up to allergies? Should I get the CT scan? I am so worried, I am scheduled for a yearly physical, and I am so nervous that since this gland thing has not resolved since January he will want to do more testing. Is it possible that if my bloodwork was fine in January for whatever was causing the gland, that now something else for the same reason may turn up abnormal?
I hope to get more insight on where I should go next with this!! Thanks
I apologize now for the lenghty post!!
I am a 36 year old female in fairly decent health...Last year I noticed under the RIGHT side of my jaw one of my glands more enlarged than the other. It did not hurt, and was not hard, it pulsated when I pressed on it. In January, I went to my Internal Med doc, and he felt it, and said he wasn't too concerned, but ran extensive blood work which all came back normal. He said he thought it was a Salvitory gland (Parotid)...I should add I am a smoker and have pretty bad allergies, and have gum desease.
When the office called with my blood work I had also mentioned that during the time I waited, I also noticed I had a smaller swollen gland behind the left ear lobe...very tiny, but more enlarged than the right side. Same thing, not sore...I just started to feel everywhere on my body because I was so worried waiting for the blood work results. When the doctor called with my blood work results, I mentioned to him about the other one I found behind the ear and without seeing me, he set me up to get a CT Scan.
Well, due to insurance reasons, and that at first he did not seem concerned, I decided to go see a ENT doc before getting the CT scan.
The ENT Doc gave me a thourough lookover and and also did not seem concerned and said glands can be swollen for many reasons like dental problems, sinusis etc...also not being concerned due to the normal blood work. He said they were lymph nodes...No Need to get CT Scan.
Final Doc to see was the Periodontist. After diagnosing me with gum desease and setting up a root scalling, I discussed the gland thing with him, and he say's that my gum problem would not have an effect on the glands. I have not yet had the scalling.
Now I am feeling tenderness under the LEFT side of my throat, that side's gland is not swollen, but I have been experiencing major sinus drainage lately and couhing clear junk out of my throat. I also notice sometimes when I turn my head My throat gets stuck or like the veins click (I don't know how else to explain the sensation). I do not have trouble swollowing, and I have no trouble breathing, but I do have the conastant drainage and sometimes a sour taste in the back of my throat.
My throat is tender, but I have no symptoms such as fever, flu, etc..
I notice when I suck through a straw (Milkshake), or take a drag off cigarette.
My question is...should I still be concerned? I have not been given any antibiotics. Is it possible that something seious could be at play here? Or should I chalk this up to allergies? Should I get the CT scan? I am so worried, I am scheduled for a yearly physical, and I am so nervous that since this gland thing has not resolved since January he will want to do more testing. Is it possible that if my bloodwork was fine in January for whatever was causing the gland, that now something else for the same reason may turn up abnormal?
I hope to get more insight on where I should go next with this!! Thanks
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, Oct 25, 2004 12:00AM
, Oct 25, 2004 12:00AM
Most cases of swollen lymph nodes are caused by an infection and should resolve once the infection is appropriately treated. If there is any evidence of infection, you may want to consider antibiotics and see if the lymph nodes improve.
The CT scan can be considered to ensure there isn't anything more serious than enlarged lymph nodes.
If they persist, you may want to consider a biopsy - via the ENT physician - which would give the most definitive diagnosis.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b
The CT scan can be considered to ensure there isn't anything more serious than enlarged lymph nodes.
If they persist, you may want to consider a biopsy - via the ENT physician - which would give the most definitive diagnosis.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b
Member Comments
by diatown, Dec 19, 2004 12:00AM
I have the same problem, my parotid gland has been swollen for 2 mths now, with some pain. I did blood tests and there is no sign of infection although my doctor put me on antibiotics all the same. they did not make a difference. I was told to see a dentist as well that i might have an abcessed tooth ( or mayb my wisdom tooth is growing), this is because i sometimes feel pain in my gum. My lymph nodes are not swollen but i sometimes feel them reacting.
