Armpit swollen lymph nodes are common in both men and women. They occur due to multiple reasons and may vary in size. They are not harmful in most cases, but they can also indicate an underlying condition. Lymph nodes are the parts of your immune system. The appearance of a swollen lymph node indicates a viral infection or bacterial, but it is also caused by serious health conditions. Doctors perform an Armpit Ultrasound to evaluate the size and exact location of a lymph node. 

This article will help you learn about the potential causes of swollen lymph nodes and why an armpit/axilla ultrasound is crucial. 

What are Swollen Lymph Nodes?

Lymph nodes start to filter unwanted cells from the lymph when you have an injury or an infection. The role of lymph is to carry oxygen to the cells and transport waste materials away from them. Due to different reasons, lymph nodes work hard to remove the waste and become large. It can happen in different areas of your body, but most common in the groin, armpits, and neck. In some cases, you can see from the outside as they often appear large, but these can occur deep, and an armpit ultrasound is used to see them. 

What are the Potential Causes of Swollen Lymph Nodes?

Multiple causes can lead to swollen lymph nodes that may be viral or caused by serious health conditions. Sometimes, they go away on their own, but you should visit your healthcare provider to find out if it indicates an underlying condition or only a symptom of viral infection. The potential causes of swollen lymph nodes are:

Viral Infections 

The most common cause of swollen lymph nodes is viral infections. 

Rubella, HIV, and chickenpox can lead to such symptoms. The other infections are:

Infectious mononucleosis

It is a contagious disease that is common in teens and young adults. The common symptoms of infectious mononucleosis are fever, swollen lymph nodes, enlarged spleen, sore throat, etc. It is also known as glandular fever.

Influenza (Flu)

One of the most common viral infections is influenza, which can spread easily. It brings on multiple symptoms, such as fever, constant fatigue, headache, laziness, etc. Swollen lymph nodes are also common in this condition. Influenza does not cause serious health issues but can lead to other health complications if a person has an underlying condition or is older. Other symptoms like vomiting and nausea are common in children and young adults.

Bacterial Infections

People with a bacterial infection experience multiple symptoms, such as fever, swollen lymph nodes, body aches, etc. This type of swollen node often goes away on its own and does not need treatment but antibiotics and proper rest can help to overcome the swelling. An armpit ultrasound helps to see the detailed images of swollen lymph nodes. Some common bacterial infections are:

Lyme Disease

The bite of small insects often leads to Lyme disease as it involves the saliva of the insect that carries a bacterial infection. It is a fact that not every species has this type of infection. It can cause multiple symptoms, such as fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes, etc.

Other Causes of Swollen Lymph Nodes

Multiple causes can lead to swollen lymph nodes. To specify the causing factor, doctors ask for other symptoms that a person experiences along with a swollen lymph node. If you have an underlying condition like Rheumatoid Arthritis, and it progresses over time, it can cause your lymph nodes to swell. Cancer is also a serious health issue that comes with multiple symptoms, and swollen lymph nodes are one of them. 

Why You Need an Armpit Ultrasound?

An armpit ultrasound is a safe and non-invasive diagnostic tool that helps in the diagnosis of the type of swollen lymph nodes. It helps to differentiate the lymph node types. This diagnostic technique is routinely used for axilla assessment. It helps to assess the lymph nodes and if they become large due to any reason. Sonography is also beneficial to evaluate the potential involvement of cancer in swollen lymph nodes. It helps doctors to provide the proper treatment at an early stage for more effective results. An ultrasound helps to detect different types of tumors in the armpit by evaluating how they respond to sound waves.

The Bottom Line

Swollen lymph nodes occur due to your immune system’s response. The other causes are viral and bacterial infections that do not need any treatment as swollen lymph nodes can heal over time. Doctors perform a physical examination at first and evaluate the assessment of lymph nodes by performing an Armpit/Axilla Ultrasound. It helps to see the size, exact location, and type of tumor caused by potential causes, according to NCBI. 

An ultrasound is also useful to perform a biopsy to find out the causing factor by taking tissue from the affected area. RIZ Ultrasound is a Private Clinic in Glasgow, known for its quality ultrasound services. We use advanced diagnostic tools to provide effective and accurate imaging results. You can schedule your appointment with us and get ultrasound services at unbeatable rates!