Will the swelling of the lymph nodes go down after anti-inflammation?

As we all know, there is a lymphatic system in our body. However, it is not uncommon for lymph nodes to swell due to some diseases. If you encounter swollen lymph nodes, many friends will try to restore the lymph nodes to normal state as soon as possible. So, will the swelling of the lymph nodes subside after the inflammation is eliminated? Generally speaking, no. Because if the lymph node swelling is not caused by inflammation, anti-inflammatory drugs will have no effect.

Treatment of swollen lymph nodes in the neck

When you feel swollen lymph nodes in your neck and go to the hospital for treatment, the doctor will usually ask you to draw blood to check your blood count and do other examinations such as color ultrasound of the neck. When the color Doppler ultrasound is abnormal, the doctor will make a comprehensive analysis based on your medical history, clinical manifestations, etc. to decide whether to have a short-term follow-up, or to perform a lymph node puncture needle aspiration smear under ultrasound guidance, or to directly remove the enlarged lymph nodes for pathological examination.

The subsequent treatment is further determined based on the nature of the enlarged lymph nodes.

① Inflammation: For patients with acute lymphadenitis, the main treatment is anti-infection. If local suppuration occurs, the pus should be drained by incision, and the primary lesion that causes the infection and swelling of the lymph nodes should be actively treated. Enlarged lymph nodes caused by chronic reactive hyperplasia generally do not require treatment. When an acute infection occurs, they can be treated as acute lymphadenitis. For patients with recurrent attacks, the cause should be carefully identified and reasonable treatment should be carried out to avoid recurrent attacks.

② Tuberculosis: The treatment is mainly systemic treatment, supplemented by local treatment. When drug treatment is unsatisfactory and local resection is possible, surgical treatment can be considered, which is tuberculosis lesion removal. Abscess incision and drainage should be performed when combined with purulent infection.

③ Metastatic cancer of cervical lymph nodes and malignant lymphoma: mainly focuses on the treatment of the primary disease. If thyroid cancer is accompanied by cervical lymph node metastasis, radical thyroid cancer surgery is performed, and central lymph node dissection or lateral cervical lymph node dissection is performed at the same time.

I believe that everyone already has a certain understanding of swollen cervical lymph nodes. Here the editor reminds you that when you are worried about whether your swollen cervical lymph nodes need surgical removal, please be sure to choose the otolaryngology and head and neck surgery department of a regular hospital. Professional otolaryngology and head and neck surgeons will make accurate judgments and appropriate treatments based on your condition to safeguard your health and happiness!