Collar Bone Swelling
Coping with Collar Bone Swelling
Collar bone swelling is a worrisome problem for those dealing with it. There is often no clear or satisfactory answer to what causes it and patients are left wondering whether the swelling is a serious symptom or just a cosmetic inconvenience. More often than not, the swelling is not accompanied by pain and so patients are unsure about whether to treat it as a big problem. Here are some possible explanations for the problem and suggestions on how to handle it.
Causes
There are lymph nodes around the collarbone and these swell when the body is fighting an infection. So the swelling in the collar bone area can be an indication of the body fighting an infection somewhere else in the body.
Sometimes lymph nodes are also known to swell because of tumors. So, some other growth in the area can make the lymph nodes also increase in size.
Another cause for collar bone swelling is hyperthyroidism which makes the thyroid gland swell. As this gland is located in the neck and near the windpipe you are likely to see general swelling in the region. Hyperthyroidism will be accompanied by other symptoms arising out of the increased thyroid in the body.
Young patients who are noticing a swelling in the collar bone area need to be aware also that this is one of the symptoms of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. The arthritis makes the nodes swell.
Some patients see a pattern of increase and decrease in their swelling and it seems to correspond to the level of stress in their lives. So, during stressful stages in life the swelling is more noticeable and it subsides at other times. Such patients also see this as a long-term problem.
In some cases an injury or trauma causes the collar bone to swell.
Treatment
Collar bone swelling is best diagnosed by a doctor. It is hard to know what is causing the swelling, if there has been no direct injury, without some blood tests or x-rays. So, if you are experiencing swelling and cannot figure out what is causing it, do visit a doctor at the earliest possible.
Where the body is fighting some other infection, doctors are likely to prescribe an antibiotic or other appropriate drug which will take care of the underlying problem. You should notice a corresponding reduction is the swelling of the lymph nodes also.
If the doctor suspects a tumor, a biopsy will be conducted to decide whether the growth is benign or malignant. If it is found to be a malignant growth, there will likely be a course of treatment for cancer.
In cases where excessive thyroid production is happening in the body, doctors will address that issue with appropriate drugs or radioactive iodine therapy. There may also be instances where the thyroid gland will have to be removed. Addressing the hyperthyroidism will take care of the swelling near the collar bone also.
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis involves a coordination of treatment from various specialists and is in essence a treatment that combines medicines and physical therapy. It is likely to be a long-term solution rather than an over-night cure for collar bone swelling.
Stress induced swelling can be cured if the patient takes steps to handle stress in a calm way. It is worth trying physical exercise, meditation, aromatherapy, massage or even a night out with friends. Any and all of these can help to make a person feel relaxed and happy with the release of endorphins. This should work at least marginally to bring down the swelling.
In cases where there has been a direct injury causing the swelling, it may be necessary to explore the injury to ensure that there is no major external or internal damage. The swelling is likely to go down as the body heals.