There may be several reasons for the swollen lymph node in the neck. After all, as a rule, any inflammatory process in the body affects the functioning of the circulatory and lymphatic systems.
What is a lymph node and what is its role in the body?
Returning to the school course of studying anatomy, it is worth paying attention to the peculiarities of the work of the lymph nodes in the body. They are the basic elements of the entire lymphatic system. Their task can be called the development of immunity in general. The production of lymphocytes, which are immune cells, is extremely important for humans. It is these particles that help to neutralize the negative effect of pathogenic microorganisms penetrating from the outside.
Do not ignore the need to visit a doctor if the lymph nodes in the neck are swollen. What to do in this case? No one can give better advice than a specialist. You should not trust your he alth to positive reviews on the Internet about any remedy or the advice of absolutely incompetent friends, relatives and colleagues in medicine.
Which lymph nodes can become inflamed in the neck?
Swollen lymph nodes onneck (the photo below clearly demonstrates how it looks) cause a lot of discomfort and unpleasant pain.
In most cases, their localization tells doctors where to look for the problem. For example, with angina or otitis media, there should be no question why the lymph nodes in the neck swell. An infection lodged nearby causes an inflammatory process involving these elements of the lymphatic system.
A person has several groups of lymph nodes in the cervical area:
- deep and superficial in the anterior cervical region;
- the same in the back of the neck;
- submandibular;
- chin;
- ear;
- occipital.
In the absence of the development of a pathological process in the body, the predominant part of them, which is in a he althy state, should not be probed. The only exceptions are superficial nodes resembling beans in front of the neck. They are relatively non-hard, elastic, non-static and painless.
Probable causes of lymphadenitis
As already mentioned, if a swollen lymph node in the neck, the first thing to do is to look for the cause. Inflammation within the lymphatic system may indicate the presence of a disease within it, or may be a symptom of another pathology.
The most common causes of pain and swelling in the neck, in the area of the lymph nodes, doctors believe:
- Ingestion of pathogenic bacteria,causing infectious diseases. The most frequently diagnosed in this case are SARS, influenza, oral pathologies (stomatitis, gingivitis, periodontitis, pulpitis), as well as chicken pox, rubella, tonsillitis, etc.
- Failures in the immune system. An increased number of potentially dangerous microorganisms is associated with a latent course of chronic ailments, severe hypothermia, and a lack of vitamins and minerals necessary for a full life. Stress can also take a toll on your immune system.
- Acquired human immunodeficiency virus.
- Malignant degeneration of lymphatic cells.
- Mechanical damage and injury to the node or its surrounding tissues.
What else can cause swollen lymph nodes?
At the same time, other pathologies can be common reasons for swollen lymph nodes in the neck. Specifically:
- metabolic disorders in the body;
- thyroid disease;
- allergic reactions;
- alcohol addiction, drug use.
How does inflammation of the lymph nodes manifest?
At the doctor's appointment, it is extremely important to remember other symptoms that have appeared since the lymph nodes in the neck were swollen. Treatment will largely depend on the clinical picture of a particular disease.
Inflammatory process in the lymphatic tissue manifests itself:
- noticeable enlargement of nodes to the naked eye (swelling parameters vary between 2-5 cm indiameter);
- change in the consistency of the knot itself (becomes noticeably hard or much softer than before);
- pain when swallowing, talking and probing;
- hyperemia of the skin on the neck;
- general weakness of the body (lethargy, fatigue, headache, fever).
Who should I go to for medical help?
If the lymph node in the neck is very swollen, this inflammation is likely to have an infectious etiology, which is why in most cases the symptoms characteristic of the disease first appear. Lymphadenitis - inflammation of the nodes - with angina is a characteristic symptom and the main criterion for diagnosing the disease. Accordingly, with recovery and proper therapy of angina, lymphadenitis will pass by itself.
Only by finding the reason why the lymph node on the neck is swollen on one side, you can start treatment.
The most popular diagnostic method for inflammation of the lymph nodes is ultrasound. Depending on the results of the survey, then you need to contact one of the highly specialized specialists:
- hematologist;
- to the dentist;
- to an otorhinolaryngologist;
- oncologist;
- surgeon.
What is the danger of lymphadenitis?
You need to pay attention if the situation does not change with the course of treatment. For example, a swollen lymph node on the neck on the left or on the right side about 2 months ago, the therapy was long and thorough, and the resultno. In this case, you should undergo a comprehensive diagnosis and be sure to find the cause of persistent, prolonged inflammation.
If soreness has been added to a prolonged increase in lymph nodes, then the cause for concern may not be far-fetched. With a solid and large lymph node that does not decrease in size for about six months, the doctor may suspect oncology. In this case, you may need to undergo a biopsy procedure and a histological examination of the lymphatic tissue.
Therapy for swollen lymph nodes
Treatment of inflammation is desirable to start as early as possible. Do not panic if the lymph nodes in the neck are swollen. What to do in this situation, the doctor usually decides for the patient. As a rule, treatment is a complex of therapeutic measures for taking medications and undergoing medical procedures.
One of the common ways to treat lymphadenitis is the use of UHF therapy. Its principle of operation is to influence the patient's body with an electromagnetic field with ultra-high frequencies.
As far as drug treatment is concerned, only a doctor can prescribe the intake of certain anti-inflammatory drugs. Self-medication can be dangerous to the he alth of the patient. When drawing up a fundamental therapeutic regimen, it is important to take into account the likelihood of side effects, contraindications, as well as the individual characteristics of the patient's body. Only a highly qualified specialist can do this while taking into account all the points.
Antibiotics and surgery for lymphadenitis
When a bacterial infection enters the patient's body or the development of complications of a purulent nature, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics. If the lymph nodes in the neck are swollen and the temperature is much higher than 36.6º C, this is probably the case. The patient must comply with bed rest, consume a sufficient amount of warm liquids and take vitamin complexes.
The ineffectiveness of drug therapy and UHF procedures is often the reason for making fundamental changes in treatment tactics. In case of severe purulent inflammation, the surgeon may prescribe an operation, the main purpose of which is to clear the clogged canal of the lymph node.
Is it possible to cure lymphadenitis with folk remedies?
Traditional medicine promises to alleviate the symptoms of lymphadenitis and eliminate the maximum discomfort that began since the swollen lymph node in the neck. Even doctors cannot unambiguously talk about the benefits or harms of such therapy. It is believed that the weak effectiveness of folk recipes is fully justified by their harmlessness and naturalness (in the absence of an allergic reaction).
Despite the fact that such methods will not be able to cure the disease, certified doctors often prescribe home remedies for patients with lymphadenitis as a concomitant therapy. And yet, you need to be extremely careful with them, because they can both speed up the healing process and suspend it.
The most effective recipes, judging by the opinion andreviews of Internet users are presented below:
- Echinacea tincture is considered one of the best natural antiseptic preparations. You can buy it at any pharmacy. It is taken orally. This tool belongs to the category of inexpensive medicines.
- Applying to the enlarged lymph nodes of a healing stone - green jadeite. Supporters of alternative medicine truly believe that its energy will help the patient to recover.
- Rinse with herbal decoction. You will need fees of chamomile, mint and calendula. Gargle with decoction several times a day.
- For rinsing, you can use the classic ingredients that are in any kitchen: s alt and soda. For 1 glass of water, you need half a teaspoon of both components. Gargle every 2-3 hours.
- Freshly squeezed agave juice. People also believe that aloe vera will help cure swollen lymph nodes. It is advised to take it inside 1 tbsp. l.
What can not be done with swollen lymph nodes?
The place where the swollen lymph node on the neck (right or left) is determined by the localization of the primary focus of infection. With pronounced inflammation of the middle ear or sore throat, you should not listen to advisers who recommend:
- put a heating pad or some kind of warm compresses;
- apply iodine nets;
- rub and massage the affected area of the neck.
Strict adherence to such recommendations is a direct path to hospitalization due to complications. Using one of the above methods, you can onlyhelp the infection spread faster through the arteries and aggravate the condition.
Specificity of lymphadenitis in a child
Parents should pay special attention if they notice swollen lymph nodes in the child's neck. There is no need to panic right away: children aged 5 to 7 years are at risk for the occurrence of lymphadenitis. This can be explained by the natural imperfection of the lymphatic system and, as a result, the implementation of the barrier function to an insufficient degree.
The factors that provoke inflammation of the lymph nodes in childhood are the same reasons as in adults. Most often, an increase in lymph nodes occurs in children due to acute respiratory infections. An important feature of the state of the lymph nodes in children is that they can be enlarged due to the individual specifics of the development of the child.
Prevention for adults and children
To prevent inflammation of the lymph nodes in the neck, it will not be possible to follow a specific step-by-step scheme. The disease, the causes of which lie in one - weakened immunity, can be prevented if:
- constantly strengthen the body's immune forces;
- to cure all pathologies of an infectious nature to the end, do not start;
- don't be in drafts and avoid hypothermia;
- harden;
- protect yourself from injuries and bruises;
- avoid infection of open wounds;
- do not neglect the rules of personal hygiene and wear gauze bandages during the epidemic.
An important rolein maintaining immunity, nutrition is allotted: it should be rational, include the use of a large number of vegetables and as little as possible fatty, fried, chips, soda water, etc.
