Help pregnant mothers understand the swollen lymph nodes during pregnancy

Pregnancy is the period when the mother's body goes through many changes. In particular, the fluctuation of hormones during pregnancy makes the resistance of pregnant women weaker. This opens up opportunities for infections and inflammation that cause the problem of swollen lymph nodes during pregnancy. 

Lymph nodes, also known as lymph nodes, are part of the lymphatic system. Morphologically, the oval, pea-shaped lymph nodes are scattered throughout the body and connected by the vascular system. Lymph nodes are considered the most important component of the human immune system . Because, they contain immune cells responsible for filtering or trapping "foreign" components into the body.

In addition, the lymph nodes are important in helping diagnose a number of diseases, from mild sore throat to cancer . Swollen lymph nodes are a sign that the immune system is having a problem. Accordingly, this situation is completely possible during pregnancy. Therefore, to ensure safety, pregnant mothers need to know the following necessary information.

Swollen lymph nodes during pregnancy and how to recognize them

As mentioned, both hormonal and physical changes during pregnancy make you more susceptible to opportunistic infections. Meanwhile, the lymph nodes will play a role as a barrier to protect the body from harmful agents. After completing the task, the lymph nodes may become swollen or inflamed depending on the severity.

Basically, lymph nodes are mainly concentrated in the neck, behind the ears, under the chin, under the chin, the groin ... so when the lymph nodes are swollen, you can easily observe them at these locations. The swollen glands also implicitly signal that your body is responding to foreign particles. Lymphadenopathy is a fairly common condition, but if the pregnant mother notices that the problem persists for more than a week or two, she should go to the hospital to be examined to find out timely solutions.

Spot the causes of swollen lymph nodes during pregnancy

Swollen nodules can feel pain, discomfort, some cases also include fever, weight loss . However, this is a good sign that your immune system is still working properly.

There are many different causes of swollen lymph nodes. The causes can be infections ( measles , viral colds ...), bacterial infections (pharyngitis, tuberculosis ...), fungal or parasitic infections or simply an allergy to an unknown drug. period.

In pregnant or postpartum mothers, this condition sometimes results from milk production that causes lymph nodes to float in the underarms or in the neck due to inflammation of the upper respiratory tract during pregnancy. Many expectant mothers also develop lymphadenopathy after consuming unprocessed foods.

Manifestations of swollen lymph nodes during pregnancy

Contact with the bacteria or viruses that cause illness can lead to swollen lymph nodes. In addition to tumors of different sizes, there are other common symptoms associated with runny nose, fever, sore throat, night sweats, fatigue, anorexia , persistent cough ... This is usually a warning sign that you are pregnant with a certain disease or infection that causes swollen glands. Sometimes you can also have some other symptoms not listed above.

Diagnose swollen lymph nodes during pregnancy

The size of the raised lymph nodes can vary widely. Some common movements or unintentionally touching the nodule will make you feel pain and pain. If you experience swollen lymph nodes during pregnancy, chances are you will experience pain while chewing on certain foods or even turning your neck in a certain direction.

For peace of mind, you can check in at the hospital if you suspect you are having this problem. Once it is confirmed that the pregnant mother has swollen lymph nodes, the doctor will conduct several other diagnoses to determine the cause. Your doctor will also ask about your previous medical history and perform some additional physical exams.

When you are uncertain about any cause, your doctor will order a blood test to screen for any risks. In addition to the above tests, you may also have a magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI) scan that aims to identify the source of infection or detect potential tumors in pregnancy.

Direction to treat swollen lymph nodes in pregnancy

In some cases of cold, the swollen lymph glands will go away without medication. Particularly if the cause is caused by a bacterial infection, then you may need to use antibiotics for treatment. In pregnant women with more serious problems such as cancer, surgery or chemotherapy or radiation therapy will be considered depending on the health of you and your baby.

To relieve pain from the lymph nodes, you can use a warm water absorbent gauze over the affected area. Absolutely note not to arbitrarily use any pain reliever without the consent of your doctor. Because, during pregnancy, pregnant mothers should limit the use of drugs to ensure the safety of the fetus.

Measures to prevent floating lymph nodes for pregnant mothers

To prevent swollen lymph nodes from occurring during pregnancy, you should practice healthy habits. Pregnant mothers should avoid contact with objects suffering from respiratory diseases . Furthermore, a healthy, low-saturated fat diet should be strictly adhered to. Suggest that you can take advantage of whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet to limit your risk of disease.

When to see a doctor?

If you notice that the swollen lymph nodes during pregnancy are related to fever, weight loss or heavy night sweats, get medical attention immediately. If the lymphadenopathy is related to a cold or the flu but lasts more than a week, you should still go to the hospital to be checked.

Hopefully the above information has helped you understand more about swollen lymph nodes during pregnancy. "Careful care", every time you go to regular or irregular pregnancy check-ups, pregnant mothers do not forget to inform the doctor about all the unusual symptoms to ensure a healthy pregnancy!