When to worry about neck lumps and what to do about them.

How Docs Figure Out Swollen Lymph Nodes

When you go to the doctor about a swollen lymph node, they’ll first do a physical check-up, grill you about your medical history, and might even suggest getting some imaging tests or a biopsy to nail down the cause of the swelling.

Ways to Deal with Swollen Lymph Nodes

How you treat swollen lymph nodes depends on what’s causing them. If it’s an infection making them swell, your doctor might write you a prescription or recommend some over-the-counter painkillers. If an inflammatory condition is to blame, your doctor could suggest treatments to dial down the inflammation or tamp down the immune response. And if cancer is the reason behind the swollen lymph nodes, options might include chemo, radiation, or having the affected lymph nodes surgically removed.