Doctors say that there are hundreds of lymph nodes scattered throughout your body, and many of them can be found in your neck. And when they do get swollen, those lymph nodes can be, well, a real pain in the neck.
Actually, your lymph nodes are major role players in keeping your body safeguarded against invading microbes such as bacteria and viruses. What they do is attack those disease-causing microorganisms and filter them.
But there are times, however, wherein there are simply too many bacteria and viruses to deal with. When this happens, the tendency of those microbe-fighting lymph nodes is to become inflamed.
Some of the lymph nodes in your neck are superficial, which means that they are situated just below the skin. And when they become swollen, you can really feel how big and tender they are with your fingers.
There are instances in which swollen lymph nodes in the neck are due to some serious health problems. Some of the really critical ones include HIV, systemic infections, cancer and autoimmune disorders.
But most of the time, swollen lymph nodes in the neck are due to localized infections. Usually, this happens when the infection is taking place near or in the neck, such as in the case of a bad case of sore throat.
Refrain from panicking if you wake up one day with lymph nodes in your neck all swollen and feeling tender. What you need to do is to try any of the following effective home remedies for swollen lymph nodes in the neck.
Lemon juice
Drinking lemon juice several times daily supplies your body with lots of vitamin C, which is an immune system strengthener. Add a teaspoon of honey to every glass for superb taste and results.
Apple cider vinegar
Twice a day, you may also consume a glass of water with a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in it, which is revered for its powerful antimicrobial properties.
Ginger tea
Up to thrice a day, have a cup of ginger tea as it’s a powerful fighter of inflammation. You may add a teaspoon of honey to a cup of ginger tea to improve its taste and anti-inflammatory properties.
Echinacea tea
Another herbal tea that you may consume regularly is something that’s out of echinacea, an herb revered for its ability to deal with an assortment of infections.
Garlic
Consuming foods with liberal amounts of garlic in them is a wonderful idea because the well-known herb is capable of dealing with bacteria and viruses, according to scientific investigations.
Turmeric
You may also sprinkle good amounts of turmeric on your food if you are not really a fan of garlic because this deep yellow-colored spice is also an excellent fighter of disease-causing microorganisms.
Salt gargles
Usually, a nasty case of sore throat can make those lymph nodes in the neck become swollen. Thrice a day, gargle with a glass of lukewarm water with a teaspoon of salt dissolved in it for relief.
JUST A WORD OF CAUTION: If the lymph nodes in your neck remain swollen for a few days and you also experience all sorts of weird symptoms together with them, it’s a good idea to consult your doctor right away.
