While it’s hard to escape stress, how we manage it is important.
Chronic emotional or physical stress can increase the risk of disease.
However, not all stress is bad for your health.
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Typically, avoiding the stressor helps relieve symptoms of stress.
Chronic stress can impact the immune system and damage multiple organs and tissues.
Causes of Swollen Lymph Nodes
Thelymph nodesare involved in fighting infections and warding off harmful bacteria.
The neck, armpit, and groin contain a cluster of lymph nodes.
These lymph nodes have immune cells calledlymphocytes.
If you have had swollen lymph nodes for an extended period, you should contact your healthcare provider.
Anxiety disorders can make coping with stress more difficult.
Although, these are highly treatable, only 36.9% of those suffering receive treatment.
If you are feeling stressed or anxious, it is important to reach out for help.
Yourtreatment optionswill depend on how severe your symptoms are.
However, moderate-to-severe anxietymay require medication,mental health counseling, or peer support (as support groups).
Summary
It’s unlikely psychological stress or anxiety leads to swollen lymph nodes.
However, swollen lymph nodes can be a sign that your body is fighting an infection or illness.
Swelling that is not going away or lymph nodes that feel or look different than usual should be examined.
In addition, if you are experiencing chronic psychological stress or anxiety, speak with your healthcare provider.
Over time, chronic stress and anxiety can worsen, causing additional physical and mental distress and disease.
A Word From Verywell
Life is busy, fast-paced, and often stressful.
Some mental and physical stress is necessary and healthy, but chronic stress is not.
While we cannot eliminate stress completely, we can make a run at control our responses to it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Lymph nodes don’t usually swell for no reason.
If these lymph nodes remain enlarged, medical evaluation is warranted.
How long lymph nodes stay swollen depends on the cause.
See a healthcare provider if they continue to grow or do not go down after several weeks.
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National Institute of Mental Health.I’m so stressed out: Fact sheet.
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National Institute of Health.Swollen lymph nodes.
Anxiety and Depression Association of America.Understanding anxiety: Did you know?.
