The state of he alth of the body as a whole is determined by the level of quality of the functioning of the lymphatic system. If violations, failures are observed, inflammation of the lymph nodes in the inguinal region or any other part of the body is recorded, the stability of the systems against aggressive external factors is sharply reduced. A person is unarmed in front of microorganisms that provoke all kinds of diseases, and the space around us is literally full of such. To regain your former security, you need to know why the lymph nodes become inflamed, how it depends on gender and age, and what to do in such a situation.
Problems: how to notice?
Inflammation of the lymph nodes always indicates a serious illness. If an unpleasant syndrome is observed in the inguinal region, there can be two reasons: the indirect effect of any pathology or a direct negative effect on the tender zone. Inflammation of the inguinal lymph nodes is equally observed in men and women - the gender of the rolenot playing.
The lymph node is one of the peripheral human organs. This is a small formation in the form of an oval or circle. The sizes vary: from 0.5 to 2 cm. The area is responsible for cleaning the lymph flow and generating cells that provide protection to a person. Such components will eliminate infectious agents, tumor cells in different parts and tissues of the body.
Features of inflammation near the reproductive organs
On the World Wide Web you can find a lot of frightening photos. Inflammation of the inguinal lymph node, as doctors assure, is not always such a frightening phenomenon, some patients do not notice the problem at all. But it’s still worth knowing the features in order to immediately notice the inflammatory process at the first signs and seek medical help. Lymph nodes are located in the folds near the reproductive organs. In medicine, this area is commonly referred to as the femoral triangle. The responsibility of the parts of the lymphatic system is the transport of lymph towards the iliac tracts located in the abdominal region.
In medicine, inflammation of the inguinal lymph nodes is called lymphadenitis, they share an acute form, a chronic one. Some patients experience inflammatory processes in only one local node, while others suffer from a group of formations or even several groups at once. The latter option is typical for systemic pathology. Usually, inflammatory processes that affect the lymph nodes in the inguinal region indicate diseases of the lower extremities and small pelvis. Bystatistics, more often the beautiful half of humanity faces such problems.
Where did the trouble come from?
You can understand the causes of inflammation of the inguinal lymph nodes in women and men, if you understand the essence of the very elements of our body. The nodes are responsible for filtering the lymphatic flow, that is, any infection that is in the vessels will definitely get into them. As soon as the human body has become the object of attack by an infectious agent, it is the lymph nodes that are the first to suffer, which resist the aggressive factor.
This element of our system is the first to take a hit, preventing further spread of malicious sources of infection. Normally, the lymph flow completely blocks the penetration of the agent - the body is protected from the problem. On the other hand, the body's natural defenses are not always enough to cope with a harmful factor, which provokes lymphadenitis, that is, an inflammatory process. The causes of inflammation of the inguinal lymph nodes in men and women vary significantly, and with such a symptom, the doctor prescribes a comprehensive examination to identify a specific disease.
About terminology
Inflammation is usually called such a natural reaction of the lymph nodes, which is observed when a harmful agent, pathogenic microscopic life forms, penetrates into this area. Inflammation of the inguinal lymph nodes is provoked by the ingress of cells from the infected area through the lymph flow.
Main reasons
Most commonobserved causes of inflammation of the inguinal lymph nodes:
- purulent wounds of the dermis, boils;
- fungal attack;
- bacterial infection (streptococcus, staphylococcus aureus);
- viruses (rubella, measles);
- colds, general hypothermia;
- lymph node injury;
- tumor processes;
- blood diseases;
- sexually transmitted infections;
- allergy;
- infection of the area;
- diseases affecting the reproductive organs.
Often there is inflammation of the inguinal lymph nodes on the background of HIV infection. With such a diagnosis, not only the indicated area suffers, but also other elements of the lymphatic system.
No less dangerous for knots are sprains obtained during physical exertion (including sports activity). In adolescence, such an unpleasant symptom is observed if children grow too quickly. When undergoing specific drug therapy, the inflammatory process can be stimulated by medications, but in practice, such a side effect occurs in a small percentage of cases.
How is it developing?
If the inflammation of the inguinal lymph nodes began suddenly, the area is felt when probing as swollen, probably the cause is the resulting grass, direct infection. Perhaps the opposite development of the situation: slowly progressive inflammation. The reason will be in systemic diseases or other similar deep problems of the body.
Genitaldisease
They can provoke inflammation of the inguinal lymph nodes in both women and men. Most often, this manifestation is typical for:
- syphilis;
- gonorrhea;
- urea-, mycoplasmosis;
- herpetic genital infection;
- HPV viruses;
- chlamydia;
- trichomoniasis.
Special occasion
Often, symptoms of inflammation of the inguinal lymph node are observed when:
- cystitis;
- balanopostite;
- inflammation of the urethra;
- vesiculitis.
It is also worth remembering that inflammation of the inguinal lymph nodes in children does not always indicate a serious illness. If the child is growing rapidly, it is possible that the lymphatic system simply does not keep up with the body. In such a situation, a doctor's examination is necessary to clarify the reasons.
Symptomatics
Feature of the location of the lymph nodes - proximity to the skin. This allows you to check their condition without special equipment, by simple palpation. It is possible to suspect inflammation of the inguinal lymph nodes in women and men by unpleasant, painful sensations in this area during movement, physical activity. The pain is usually felt as aching.
Additional symptoms:
- compacted area;
- skin turns red;
- worried about itching, burning;
- skin peeling off;
- general hyperthermia;
- poisoning of the body, provoked by the accumulation of purulent secretions in the nodes.
The last state manifests itself as a sharp general rise in temperatureand indicates serious progress of the disease. As a rule, acute lymphadenitis is accompanied by chills, a headache, muscles, a person feels weak. If you take a blood test, the results will indicate leukocytosis. As a rule, the level of ESR is above the norm.
Features of the flow
Prolonged inflammatory processes lead to weight loss and chronic fatigue. The patient loses his appetite, constantly complains of headache and feels exhausted. Such an indisposition obviously indicates inflammatory processes, therefore it is recommended not to delay going to the doctor to determine the localization of the disease and the optimal program for its elimination.
There are cases when inflammation of the lymph node did not manifest itself as a pain syndrome. If the area hardens, the node loses mobility, the probability of a malignant neoplasm is high, which requires urgent detailed diagnosis.
The greatest problems are observed with the diagnosis of the chronic form, characterized by mild symptoms. This leads to a neglected situation where it is quite difficult to deal with the problem.
Specificity of disease detection
Accurate diagnosis is possible only when examined by a qualified doctor. The difficulty is associated with the peculiarities of the location of the lymph nodes in the area of the femoral triangle: it is not always possible to feel them. To clarify information about a person's condition, additional instrumental, laboratory diagnostics are prescribed.
The significance of the detection of the disease is as follows: the manifestations of lymphadenitis are similar tosymptoms of inguinal hernia, but the approaches to treatment are fundamentally different. In order not to harm the patient, but to improve the condition of the body, at the stage of diagnosis, it is important to accurately formulate the cause of discomfort.
Diagnostic techniques
During the initial treatment of the patient, the doctor attempts to probe the disturbing area. If the structural features of the body allow this to be done, the doctor fixes the seals, when pressed on which the patient complains of pain, then lymphadenitis can be diagnosed with confidence. Additionally, weak reddening of the skin indicates this disease.
If the characteristics of the organism do not allow to examine the area by palpation, it is necessary to take a blood test. The doctor will also write out a referral to him in the case when a visual check and palpation is possible, but the results are doubtful. Usually a sufficient amount of data gives a complete blood count. Conclusions are drawn from information on the concentration of leukocytes, ESR - the first indicator is below the norm, the second, on the contrary, is higher.
Additional methods
Sometimes biochemistry is prescribed to clarify the picture of the disease. This is a blood test from which you can accurately determine how much reactive protein is contained in the fluid running through our vessels. If malignant neoplasms are suspected, organic tissues from the affected area are taken for a biopsy. Some patients require a histological examination to clarify the situation.
Ultrasound is a classic methodobtaining additional information about the state of the lymphatic system of the human body. This method allows you to accurately determine the dimensions: a he althy knot is usually no more than a centimeter. If the study revealed a deviation from the norm, inflammation probably developed.
If you suspect a disease, you must quickly contact a therapist who will redirect the patient to a specific doctor. Most often these are doctors dealing with urogenital problems of men and women. They may also prescribe an examination by an infectious disease specialist.
Disease found: what to do?
Treatment of inflammation of the inguinal lymph nodes should be prescribed by a qualified doctor. It is categorically not recommended to select medicines on your own: there is a possibility of a deterioration in the condition. The doctor draws up a therapeutic program based on information obtained from the analyzes and instrumental studies assigned to the patient. Efficiency directly depends on the accuracy of identifying the cause of the disease.
In itself, the inflammatory process is extremely rare. Usually, lymphadenitis indicates another disease of an infectious nature: furuncle, abscess, carbuncle. Features of the therapeutic program are selected not only on the basis of the diagnosis, but also taking into account gender. A very important role is played by the individual characteristics of the body. All approaches are divided into conservative and surgical.
What will help?
Typically, therapy begins with a course of broadly effective antimicrobials. Most commonly usedpenicillin line. The duration of the course, the doctor chooses specific doses, based on the characteristics of the patient's body: weight and age. The activity of inflammation plays a role, other specific aspects.
Additionally, you can use preparations for local effects - antiseptic ointments, gels. A fairly popular remedy is Levomekol. When it is used, a gauze bandage is applied to the affected area in order to directly affect the focus of inflammation. But this option is not suitable for a purulent form of the inflammatory process, as well as for allergic reactions and possible intolerance to the active components of the drug.
Physiotherapy and Surgery
In inflammatory processes in the lymph nodes, electrophoresis shows good efficiency. The technique is combined with antimicrobial therapy. The option is not suitable if the disease is accompanied by suppuration.
Surgical intervention is relevant if the lymph nodes become a place of production, accumulation of purulent secretions. To allow this breakdown product to leave the body, drain the area affected by inflammation.
Additional recommendations
Maximum benefit of the therapeutic course is observed if the patient:
- adheres to bed rest;
- eats light meals, avoiding fat, high-calorie foods;
- applies antimicrobials strictly in accordance with the doctor's recommendations, does not violate the duration of the course and frequency of usemedicines;
- supports the body's strength with vitamin complexes.
You can additionally organize the purification of toxic decay products. Sometimes anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics are helpful. The possibility of using such medications must first be discussed with your doctor.
