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Contents
  • Lifestyle and Environmental Exposures
  • Medications That Might Cause Lymphadenopathy
  • Age and Smoking as Risk Factors

Could Your Lifestyle Be Causing Swollen Lymph Nodes?

Could Your Lifestyle Be Causing Swollen Lymph Nodes?

The Big Picture

Sometimes, everyday habits or exposures can contribute to swollen lymph nodes. This article covers lifestyle factors that may increase your risk.
Contents
  • Lifestyle and Environmental Exposures
  • Medications That Might Cause Lymphadenopathy
  • Age and Smoking as Risk Factors

Lifestyle and Environmental Exposures

Certain lifestyle choices and environmental exposures can lead to lymphadenopathy. For example, cat scratches can lead to cat scratch disease, causing lymph node swelling. Undercooked meat can result in toxoplasmosis, another infection linked to swollen nodes. Travel to areas with endemic infections can also be a risk factor.

Medications That Might Cause Lymphadenopathy

Some medications can cause lymph nodes to swell as a side effect. Drugs that induce serum sickness, characterized by fever and rash, often result in generalized lymphadenopathy. Phenytoin is one such medication known to cause this side effect without a serum sickness reaction.
Lymphadenopathy refers to lymph nodes that are abnormal in size, number, or consistency. It can be caused by various lifestyle factors and medications.

Age and Smoking as Risk Factors

Age and smoking are significant risk factors for lymphadenopathy. Older patients have a higher risk of malignancy-related swollen lymph nodes. Smokers, particularly those with hard cervical nodes, should be aware of the increased risk of head and neck cancers.

FAQs

Can lifestyle choices affect lymph nodes?

Yes, choices like smoking and exposure to infections can impact them.

Which medications can cause swollen lymph nodes?

Medications like Phenytoin can lead to lymphadenopathy.

Do older people have more risk?

Yes, the risk increases with age.

Does travel affect lymph node health?

Yes, travel to infection-prone areas can increase risk.

Lifestyle Impact

Our lifestyle choices can significantly impact lymph node health; knowing the risks is key.
Concerned your lifestyle might be affecting your lymph nodes? Talk to Doctronic and find out more!
Additional References
  1. Fijten GH, Blijham GH. Unexplained lymphadenopathy in family practice. J Fam Pract 1988; 27:373.
  2. Gaines H, von Sydow M, Pehrson PO, Lundbegh P. Clinical picture of primary HIV infection presenting as a glandular-fever-like illness. BMJ 1988; 297:1363.
This article has been reviewed for accuracy by one of the licensed medical doctors working for Doctronic.