Lymph nodes are super important in our immune system. They’re like our body’s little soldiers, helping us fight off germs and stay healthy. But when the lymph nodes in your neck start to swell up or get painful, it could be a sign that something’s not quite right underneath. Usually, swollen lymph nodes are just your body’s normal reaction to an infection, kind of like a warning signal. But sometimes, they can tip us off to something more serious, like cancer. So, when should you start to worry about that lump in your neck, and what should you do about it?
To really get why a lump in the neck matters, you’ve got to understand what lymph nodes do. These tiny, bean-shaped things are like filters for the lymph fluid. They sift out germs, waste, and even cancer cells. When you’re sick, your lymph nodes might puff up because they’re working overtime to catch and get rid of the bad guys that invaded your body. Most of the time, this swelling just means your immune system is doing its job.
