Acute colds occur several times a year in almost every person. Also, a large group of the population suffers from chronic infectious pathologies. These include tonsillitis, pharyngitis, tracheitis, otitis media, etc. These people periodically experience swollen lymph nodes behind the ear, on the neck, etc. Indeed, their inflammation often accompanies diseases of the upper respiratory tract and tonsils. Nevertheless, there are still many pathologies in which patients complain that the lymph nodes in the neck or behind the ears are swollen. Such diseases are not always safe, so this syndrome is an occasion to visit a doctor.
Enlarged lymph nodes - what is it?
Often people go to the doctor with such complaints as: swollen, sore lymph nodes in the neck. This symptom can indicate various pathologies. The most common causes are inflammation and swelling of the lymphoid tissue. In the first case, hypertrophy is usually associated with tonsillitis or pharyngitis. An increase in lymph nodes is not a terrible symptom and disappears after the elimination of the underlying disease. If this syndrome is not associated with inflammatory processes in the throat, then the patient must be urgently examined. In this case, the complaint may be that the patient has severely swollen lymph nodes in the neck. Hypertrophy can be either unilateral or bilateral. Such a symptom can be observed in various lymphomas, as well as Hodgkin's disease. Such pathologies are related to oncological processes and require special treatment.
A child has swollen lymph nodes in his neck: causes
Swollen lymph nodes in children are more common than in adults. This happens because of the reactivity of the body of babies. Protective forces in the early age period respond to inflammation faster than in the adult population. For this reason, the complaint that the baby has swollen lymph nodes in the neck is often found in pediatric practice. As in adults, several pathological conditions can serve as a reason for the development of this symptom. Among them:
- Inflammation of the palatine tonsils. This reason is one of the most common etiological factors. In this case, the patient (or the parents of a small patient) may complain that the right lymph node in the neck is swollen, or, on the contrary, the left one. The site of the lesion coincides with the side on which the inflamed tonsil is located.
- Lymphadenitis. It occurs a little less frequently. It refers to independent diseases of the lymph nodes and also has an inflammatorycharacter. In this case, there is no primary focus of infection, the tonsils may not be enlarged. The causes of lymphadenitis are the same as for colds. These include: hypothermia, contact with infected people, reduced immune defenses.
- Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas are cancerous degeneration of tissue. Unfortunately, such tumors occur in children. They are dangerous oncological pathologies that quickly lead to the appearance of metastases.
- Hodgkin's disease. This pathology is also included in the group of cancerous processes. It can occur in both children and adults. The prognosis for this disease is often favorable.
- Oncological processes localized in the neck. Less commonly, a symptom may cause a cancerous lesion in the mouth.
Also, among the reasons that swollen lymph nodes in the neck or in other areas, there are metabolic disorders and thyroid diseases. In addition, hypertrophy can occur with chronic alcoholism, allergic reactions.
Mechanism of development of lymphadenopathy
The pathogenesis of enlarged lymph nodes depends on what exactly caused the hypertrophy. In inflammatory lesions, the triggering factor is the penetration of the infection into the body. This usually happens by airborne droplets. Bacteria, once on the mucous membrane of the oral cavity, settle on the tonsils and multiply. Some of them penetrate the lymphatic vessels and reach the nodes. The reproduction of bacteria leads to the activation of the immune system. Interaction of microorganisms and macrophagestrigger an inflammatory response that is part of the body's defense mechanisms. It is manifested by the fact that the lymph nodes hypertrophy and become painful.
In cancer pathologies, the mechanism of action is different. It consists in the fact that the normal cells of the lymphatic system become atypical and begin to multiply intensively. This may be preceded by factors such as ionizing radiation, chemical exposure, bad habits.
Symptoms of swollen lymph nodes
Often, patients go to the doctor complaining of a sore throat, swollen lymph nodes in the neck. Such symptoms usually accompany catarrhal pathologies. If the hypertrophy of the lymph nodes is caused by an inflammatory reaction, then the following signs of it are distinguished:
- Pain on palpation of the neck, behind the ears. It may be accompanied by discomfort in the throat, difficulty swallowing.
- Hypertrophy (enlargement) of the lymph node. Its size can be different (from the size of a pea to a walnut and even a chicken egg).
- Hyperemia - redness over the area of swelling.
- Increased body temperature.
- General weakness, loss of appetite, muscle pain.
- Cough, hyperemia of the pharynx, enlargement of the palatine tonsils.
If the cause of the swelling of the lymph nodes is an oncological pathology, then the symptoms are different from colds. They depend on the location of the cancer.
Diagnosis for swollen lymph nodes
With lymphadenopathyit is necessary to conduct a thorough diagnosis and find out the cause of its appearance. Particularly serious should be taken in cases where hypertrophy is not accompanied by catarrhal pathologies. First of all, palpation of the lymph nodes is carried out not only on the neck, but also in all other areas. Evaluate their consistency and size, shape, pain. Also pay attention to the skin over the enlarged node. In the absence of an infection of the upper respiratory tract and throat, as well as symptoms of lymphadenitis, it is necessary to do an ultrasound. In some cases, this is not enough to establish a diagnosis. If cancer is suspected (lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease), a node biopsy is performed with a puncture needle. After that, a histological examination is necessary to establish the cellular composition.
Differential diagnosis for lymphadenopathy
In the case of enlarged lymph nodes, differential diagnosis is very important. This symptom can accompany a lot of different diseases. Among them:
- Inflammatory pathologies. They have the most favorable prognosis. The nature of inflammation can be determined by the consistency of the nodes. If they are dense to the touch, then drug therapy is sufficient to eliminate hypertrophy. Soft lymph nodes mean that the tissue has undergone purulent fusion. In this case, surgical assistance is needed.
- Infectious mononucleosis. This disease is more common in children. Its characteristic features are a skin rash and an increase in several groups of lymph nodes (axillary, cervical,inguinal).
- Tuberculosis. If this pathology is suspected, it is necessary to conduct a Mantoux test and pass a sputum test.
- Oncological diseases. They can have any localization. With lymphomas, one node is most often affected. In cancer of the neck organs, oral cavity, the location of hypertrophy depends on the localization of the tumor focus. Hodgkin's disease affects several groups of lymph nodes at once.
- Primary and secondary immunodeficiencies.
Swollen lymph nodes in the neck: what to do?
Based on the severity of the problem and considering the possible consequences, you should know that an increase in lymph nodes in the neck is always a reason to go to the clinic. Even if you suspect the inflammatory nature of hypertrophy, you can not engage in self-treatment. First of all, for medical help, you need to contact a therapist. If necessary, he can refer to other specialists. Among them may be the following doctors: surgeon, phthisiatrician, infectious disease specialist, oncologist. Do not be afraid to consult specialists, as referral to them does not always mean severe pathology. In some cases, their opinion is necessary to rule out a diagnosis.
Folk remedies for enlarged lymph nodes
It is undesirable to treat a swollen lymph node on the neck with folk methods. This is due not only to the fact that the cause of its hypertrophy cannot be established independently, but also to possible complications. For example, warming an inflamed node can lead to its suppuration and a breakthrough insurrounding tissues. However, there are several popular recipes. They are used for lymphadenitis, accompanied by tonsillitis. Among them: the use of echinacea tincture (10 drops per 50 ml of boiled water), gargling with a solution of s alt and soda. Also, fresh aloe juice is considered effective, which must be taken 1 tablespoon per day. Decoctions of mint or chamomile will help relieve inflammation in the throat and get rid of lymphadenitis faster. It is worth consuming them 3-4 times during the day.
Drug treatment of lymphadenopathy
Drug therapy is prescribed for the inflammatory nature of the disease. It is recommended to take antibacterial drugs "Amoxicillin", "Cefuroxime", etc., if lymphadenitis is accompanied by purulent tonsillitis. Also, physiotherapy treatment (UHF) is used. With purulent inflammation of the lymph node, surgical intervention is required (opening and draining the pathological focus). Cancer requires surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.
Methods for the prevention of lymphadenopathy
To prevent hypertrophy of the lymph nodes, it is necessary to treat inflammatory diseases of the throat, gums and teeth in a timely manner. Also, it is important to avoid hypothermia and carry out vitamin therapy. If the lymph nodes re-swell after surgery, you should consult a doctor immediately.
