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Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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Lymph Node Enlargement - Swollen Glands

Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors

Swollen "glands," or lymph nodes, refers to enlargement of the lymph nodes in the body.

What is going on in the body?

Lymph nodes are a part of the immune system. Though commonly called "glands," many glands in the body are not related to the lymph nodes or the immune system. For the purpose of this piece, the terms "gland" and "lymph node" will mean the same thing, but this is not always the case. The purpose of lymph nodes is to protect the body from "foreign" invaders. These invaders may be bacteria, viruses, cancer, injury, or other harmful substances. Lymph node swelling may or may not cause pain.

What are the causes and risks of the condition?

Common causes of swollen glands include:

colds

throat infections, such as tonsillitis, or strep throat

other infections, such as Treponema pallidum\ bacteria. Less often, syphilis is transmitted from a pregnant woman to her baby. This form of syphilis is known as \congenital syphilis.\ ',CAPTION,'Syphilis');" onmouseout="return nd();">syphilis, rubella, cellulitis, which is a skin infection, infectious mononucleosis, and HIV

insect bites and stings

autoimmune disorders, conditions in which a person's immune system attacks his or her own body

cancer, such as the cancers of the blood called leukemia and lymphoma. Any other cancer that spreads throughout the body can also cause swollen glands.

certain medications, such as phenytoin, a medication used to prevent seizures, and hydralazine, a medication used to treat high blood pressure

inherited conditions, such as Gaucher disease, a condition that affects metabolism

Other causes are also possible. Sometimes the cause cannot be found.

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