How to treat swollen neck according to the cause

Treating a swollen neck cannot be used any way. The reason is, this condition is usually caused by a variety of different things. Here are various treatment options according to the cause.

Options for treating a swollen neck

The following are various treatments for swollen neck according to the cause.

Swollen neck due to swollen lymph nodes

Swollen lymph nodes can make the neck swell. This condition usually occurs due to several conditions, such as bacterial or viral infections, autoimmune diseases, and cancer

This health problem is usually characterized by the presence of soft lumps, the size of red beans or grapes. The lumps are generally painful when held. This indicates an inflammatory process.

Swollen lymph nodes are also often accompanied by other symptoms, such as fever, headache, sore throat, and cough.

Usually this swelling will disappear on its own without the need for special treatment. In addition, there are various recommended ways to treat swollen neck due to lymph nodes, such as:

• Antibiotics, if the swelling is caused by a bacterial infection
• Anti-inflammatory drugs, if you experience tissue swelling
• Acetaminophen or ibuprofen to relieve pain
• Compress warm to the swollen area
• Drink lots of fluids
• Rest to restore body condition

Swollen neck due to thyroid nodules

Thyroid nodules are abnormal growths of thyroid cells that form lumps in the gland. No one knows exactly what causes thyroid nodules.

This condition is very common and usually appears in people around the age of 60. In addition, for some cases, the thyroid nodule will produce the hormone thyroxine, a hormone produced by the thyroid gland.

Most thyroid nodules generally cause no symptoms other than neck swelling. However, this condition can be accompanied by hyperthyroid symptoms such as weight loss without cause, tremors, palpitations.

Several ways to treat swollen neck due to thyroid nodules include:

Radioactive iodine

This medication is used if the nodules produce thyroid hormone which results in overproduction in the body (hyperthyroidism).

Radioactive iodine will usually be given in capsule or liquid form to shrink the nodule. As it shrinks, the signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism will subside.

Anti-thyroid drugs

Anti-thyroid drugs are usually prescribed to reduce symptoms of hyperthyroidism. The drug given is methimazole (Tapazole).

Surgery

If these nodules have cancerous cells or are severely disrupting activity, the main treatment is surgical removal of the lump.

However, if the size is too small to be removed, the doctor will do an ultrasound every 6 to 12 months.

Swollen neck due to goiter

Swelling in the neck can be caused by goiter's disease. Goiter's disease itself appears due to a lack of iodine in the diet consumed daily (hypothyroidism).

Although they are painless, goiters usually make it difficult for a person to swallow or breathe. Self-medication usually depends on the size, symptoms and cause.

Small goiters usually go away on their own without the need for special care. However, for large goiters that make the neck swell, here are the options for treating this condition:

Drugs

If you have hypothyroidism, your doctor will give you drugs such as levothyroxine (Levoxyl, Synthroid, Tyrosint).

These medications help treat the symptoms of hypothyroidism by slowing down the thyroid-stimulating hormone. Usually this method can help reduce swelling.

Operation

Surgery or surgery is often an option to help remove all or part of the thyroid gland.

Usually this method is done if the swelling is so large that it makes it difficult for you to breathe and swallow.

The reason is, when the swelling in the neck is too big it is difficult to treat this condition in other ways (eg drugs). For that, surgery or surgery is an alternative that is usually recommended.

Get enough iodine

Goiter is most often caused when someone is deficient in iodine. Therefore, make sure that you eat enough iodized salt, shrimp, shellfish, or other grasses as the best source of iodine.

Swollen neck due to mumps

Mumps is one of the health problems that can also make the neck swell. Reporting from the Mayo Clinic, this disease is caused by a viral infection that attacks the saliva-producing glands near the ears.

Mumps causes the glands of the saliva to swell, causing the cheeks and lower jaw to enlarge. As a result, the neck looks like it is swollen.

This condition usually resolves within a few weeks with rest. In addition, there are other options for treating neck swelling due to mumps, namely:

• Take pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to relieve symptoms
• Cold or warm compress to relieve pain
• Eat soft foods so you don't get sick when chewing
• Drink lots of fluids
• Avoid acidic foods that stimulate saliva production

In addition, you are also advised to limit contact with other people, at least five days after the appearance of symptoms. This is done in order to prevent transmission of the virus.

Swollen neck due to cleft branchial cyst

This cyst is a type of birth defect that causes a lump to appear on one or both sides of a child's neck or under the collarbone.

These birth defects occur early in fetal development because the arch of the pharynx fails to develop. This arch of the pharynx is part of the main structure of the neck.

This section later contains tissue to form cartilage, bones, blood vessels, and muscles. Apart from the lump, another visible sign is fluid draining from the child's neck.

The swelling will also be painful when pressed, which is usually the result of an infection.

To treat a swollen neck due to a branchial cleft cyst, the doctor will usually drain the cyst fluid to reduce the swelling.

If the cyst is infected, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics. Also, to prevent possible future infections, doctors usually recommend that you remove the cyst.