Swollen Occipital Lymph Node

The lymphatic system is a vital part of your body immune system. You have lymph nodes throughout your body and they assist your body recognize and combat infections, bacteria, and other foreign substances. It is possible to feel lymph nodes in specific areas of your body, specifically when they are bigger or swollen. You can feel swollen lymph nodes in the neck, above the clavicle, in the groin and armpits, and in the back of your head above hairline. The lymph nodes above the clavicle are called supraclavicular lymph node, whereas the lymph nodes at the back of your head are called occipital lymph node. Keep checking out to read more about various functions and specific areas of occipital lymph node, and reasons why you may establish swollen occipital lymph node.

Location and Function of the Occipital Lymph Node

The bone behind your skull is called the occipital bone, and there are nodes near this bone, which is why they are called the occipital lymph nodes. They are not within the skull and as crucial for your body’s immune defense system as other lymph nodes are. They are little, bean-like bumps and are linked by lymphatic vessels. These nodes produce a kind of white blood cells called lymphocytes that eliminate bacteria, germs, and other foreign compounds after they get trapped in these nodes.

When an infection develops, these lymph nodes will begin releasing more lymphocytes, which will increase the size of the node. This is normally the reason why you may have occipital lymph node swelling. The lymph drains pipes after damaging foreign cells. The lymph and the pollutants then enter your bloodstream and are filtered out into the liver.

Causes of Swollen Occipital Lymph Node

Swollen lymph nodes show that there is an infection in your body. If you have occipital lymph node swelling, it generally suggests you have an infection in the scalp or in the head. Contaminants and debris that drain pipes from the scalp can cause an infection and cause your occipital lymph nodes to swell. The size of your lymph nodes might often increase due to cancer. Nevertheless, the good thing is that if your occipital lymph nodes have swollen due to cancer, it will not spread to other parts of your body. The motion of cancer cells in this case is called transition. Bear in mind that cells from other parts of the body can metastasize to these lymph nodes.

Swelling triggered by cancer is not that common. The swelling is typically the result of typical issues like presence of lice, dandruff or ringworm. A cut or abrasion because area or a fungal infection may cause swelling of occipital lymph nodes. Infections in ears or throat might also cause swollen occipital nodes.

Does Swollen Occipital Lymph Node Dangerous?

Occipital lymph node swelling need to not constantly be a cause of concern. Most of the times, this indicates that your lymph nodes are doing their job right and are actively catching debris or other foreign organisms. In this case, your lymph nodes need to come back to their normal size after a number of week. You ought to see your doctor if swollen occipital lymph nodes for more than 4 weeks or two. Seek instant medical support if the size of your swollen occipital lymph node is really increasing. You must see your doctor if you have swollen nodes with other symptoms such as night chills and fever. This may take place due to lymphoma, which is the cancer of the lymph nodes.

Here are some other situations when you must call your doctor. Talk to your doctor if:

• Your lymph nodes are getting bigger and are red and tender.
• Your lymph nodes feel irregular or difficult, and are repaired in place.
• You have unexplained weight-loss with night sweats.
• Your occipital lymph node getting hard and painful.

You should likewise consult your doctor if your child has a swollen lymph node that is larger than 1 centimeter in diameter.

Painful Swollen Occipital Lymph Node

If you believe something is not right and your swollen occipital lymph node is actually increasing in size and/or feeling pain, you need to visit your doctor instantly. Your doctor will ask particular concerns and perform a physical exam to discover any particular symptoms of other underlying conditions, such as cancer. They might ask if the swelling appeared suddenly and if you are feeling any pain when you press on those nodes.

If they think anything major, they might purchase a chest x-ray, lymph node biopsy, or liver-spleen scan. It is also common for physicians to purchase blood tests, including kidney function tests, liver function tests, and total blood count. They will identify a treatment option after making a correct medical diagnosis.

Whatever the case, you should never prod or constrict your swollen nodes. Understand that you can not get rid of them simply by pushing or prodding. It may even aggravate the whole thing and make you feel more pain. Speak to your doctor as quickly as possible and follow their directions for medicine consumption to enhance your condition.