What Causes Recurring Swollen Glands Along With Sore Throat?

Posted on Thu, 18 Jun 2015

Question: I have had swollen glands on and off for a few months. I have a post nasal drip the doctor says. I have had blood test and count is all fine. I am really worried it is more sinister but doctors don't seem bothered although they cant definately say what it is. My throat is sore on my right hand side but not really bad but I can feel a sort of tightness. I need reassurance as I read that anxiety doesn't help?

Answered by Dr. Muhammad Hanif (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
I need some answers regarding your case history

Detailed Answer:
I welcome you Dear, XXXXX!

I can well understand your problem and assure you not to worry much. Its a very common problem at massive level and has a very good prognosis with the treatment. I can feel your pain and soreness. But, that's why I am here to help you.

Please give me some details, so that, doubts in my mind get cleared and I may be in a better position to help you.
*do you have nasal airway obstruction?
*headaches?
*snoring?
*runny nose?
*decresed sense of smell or no sense of smell at all?
*any episode of epistaxis(nose bleed) that may have arise without irritation of the anterior nasal septum?
*do you get up during sleep at night due to shortness of breath or breathing difficulty?
* Glandsin which area, are swollen ( you wrote in your question)?
* associated fever?

Please feel free to reply me as soon as possible so that I may assist uou with a proper treatment options and better assure you to calm you down.

Regards!
DR. HANIF XXXXXXX USA

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Muhammad Hanif (1 hour later)

I have had drip for over year. A constant feeling to clear mu thtoat. My gland on right hand front of my neck. I don't have any other symptoms, although the fear of cancer is depressing me. My drip isn't my tea worry it is my glands. I read if you have no other symptoms except tenderness its prob cancer.

Answered by Dr. Muhammad Hanif (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
I want to assure you, its not Cancer

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back Dear, XXXXX!

I want to reassure you that it isn't cancer. You dont have not mentioned any signs symptoms of cancers ( do you have a voice change, difficulty swallowing, recent dramatic and unexplained weight loss, difficulty breathing etc etc). So relax, its not cancer.

Your glands and the post nasal drip are interrelated. Because of throat infection, sinus infection, polyps in nose obstructing the outflow of sinuses may all be what are causing post nasal drip and the swollen lymph nodes in your neck. You need proper treatment for the disease. A patient with these symptoms in my office is often teeated with a safest and potent antibiotic treatment along with some adjuncts.
I prescribe Extended release Clarithromycin 500mg per oral twice daily + Fexofenadine120mg per oral twice daily + Corticosteroid nasal spray 2-3 puffs in each nostril 3-4times a day. This treatment regimen will continue for 10days.

It should be resolved in this time of treatment. You don't seem to have nasal polyps. Its a throat infection. But whenever you go to your ENT doctor, don't forget to ask him for anterior and posterior Rhinoscopy to rule out polyps. Its because sometimes polyps remain asymptomatic and come up only on routine examination.

If you have any health issues or further questions, feel free to " ask me a question" directly from my profile. I will be more than happy to assist you in mo time. Have a nice time. And tell me the progress when this trearment is over so that I may be in a better position to assist you in future too. Please give your positive and high star feed back because it matters a lot to us.

Regards!
DR. HANIF XXXXXXX USA

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Muhammad Hanif (35 minutes later)

I do have some trouble swallowing. I had a camera put down my nose, would they have looked at my throat too? Or just my nose? My doctor said it was mild sinasitis after my ct scan and they didn't want to see me again? Is it true that your mind can add to the problem I.e. As I'm anxious my glands may swell. I had bit of pain under armpit but I think I made it worse prodding it, but my wife did say it was slightly inflamed, but it has gone down today. Nobody seems to give me a direct diagnosis and they jusk give me beconaise spray and an inhaler. Thanks fir your help.

Answered by Dr. Muhammad Hanif (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
I am more than happy to help you again

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back Dear XXXX!

I will answer every bit of your questions my very dear XXXXX. Well, if you have Pharyngitis and/or sinusitis, you have a little difficulty swallowing. Yes, they have seen your nose and throat in totality and I am more than sure that they have ruled out any cancerous growth, Polyps in the nose, Larynx problems etc ect. So you are clear. No thinking of doesn't swell glands in reality. What happens is as much you think of something, more severely you feel that problem. Don't even think of it and you will learn how to go with it, Its same as acclimatization to the air conditioning system or engine noise which our brain has adopted as normal and it doesn't bother us.
Please stick to the aforementioned treatment regimen that is in detail in my last answer. One thing I want to add is Listerine gargles and saline nasal douches 4times a day.

Hope I answered all the questions to better help you move on and stay healthy in future. If any other health issue, you may directly ask me a question from my profile tab "Ask me a question". I will be happy to answer promptly.

Regards!
Dr. Hanif XXXXXXX USA

Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj