The main function of the lymph nodes in the human body is to protect against infections. Normally, they shouldn't bother us. If reddening of the skin, enlargement, induration in the area of the lymph node were noticed, you should immediately consult a doctor. Perhaps the whole point is a banal SARS or hypothermia of the legs, but there may be more serious problems, for example, a venereal disease. An enlarged lymph node in the groin in men causes a lot of discomfort. We will talk about the causes and consequences of this process in the article.
Dealing with the problem
Many are interested: "Why do the lymph nodes in the groin in men become inflamed?". The reasons may be as follows:
- STD
- HIV infection
- Early TB
- Infection in the lower limbs
- Kidney problems
- Neoplasms
- Reaction to receiving somemedicines
- Problems with the pelvic organs
- Furunculosis.
Also, do not forget that the lymph node in the groin can increase due to a common cold, allergic reactions. Remember if there was an injury in the groin area, perhaps this is the reason. Also, slight increases may be due to inguinal hernias and drug use.
Exploring symptoms
How to understand that the lymph node in the groin is enlarged in men? First of all, the following symptoms will be present:
- Pain. At first, they may be insignificant, but with the development of lymphadenitis, the pain develops into a constant, acute pain.
- Redness. The area of skin may turn crimson.
- The lymph node increases, takes the form of a ball, the bulge is visible to the naked eye even without palpation.
- Fever, chills, weakness.
If you do not see a doctor in time, these symptoms will only increase. Inflammation of the lymph nodes in the groin in men, as a rule, indicates that an infection has entered the blood, with which the body is actively fighting. In order to prevent the development of the acute phase of lymphadenitis, one should not self-medicate, otherwise surgery may be required.
There are methods that cannot be used:
- Warm up the inflamed lymph node. This can lead to an increase in the amount of pus, sepsis.
- Squeeze out the bump.
- Self-openingseal.
These actions will only aggravate the course of the disease.
Going to the doctor
If the lymph node in the groin is enlarged, men experience unpleasant pain in this area when walking. First you need to see a therapist. After that, the doctor will refer you to a highly specialized specialist, a surgeon. He, in turn, will conduct an initial examination, palpate the desired area and, based on the data obtained, prescribe a series of tests to determine the treatment. In any case, you have to do:
- Complete blood count. Thanks to him, it will be possible to find out the cause of the enlargement of the lymph nodes. Particular attention should be paid to erythrocytes and leukocytes.
- Lymph node ultrasound, some hospitals offer x-rays. But still it is better to stop at the first option.
- If the case is advanced or metastases are suspected, an MRI is suggested.
- To make sure that there is no cancer, the doctor may suggest a biopsy and send it for a histological examination, which will show if there are cancer cells in this piece of tissue.
After all tests are completed, the doctor will choose a treatment method.
Types of lymphadenitis
When men experience pain in the lymph nodes in the groin, doctors diagnose "lymphadenitis". Classify it as follows. According to the nature of the course of the disease, it is divided into:
- Spicy. The disease manifests itself abruptly.
- Chronic. Due to untimely treatment to the doctor, it develops into a chronic form. Subsequently, any SARS causes inflammation of the node.
- Recurrent. After treatment, the disease returns again.
According to its etiology, it can be:
- Non-specific. Appears as a result of damage to the skin and the penetration of infections through them.
- Specific. It is observed as a result of damage to the body by tuberculosis, syphilis, HIV and other diseases.
- Serous. Occurs as a result of neoplasms or metastasis.
- Purulent. One of the fastest, can lead to sepsis.
- Vaccinated. The body's response to vaccination. Very often a complication of the BCG vaccine.
In any case, with an enlarged lymph node in the groin, you should seek the advice of a specialist.
Choosing a treatment method
Treatment of lymphadenitis can be chosen by a doctor. It is of two types: radical and conservative. In the second case, antibiotics, local anesthetics, ointments are used that do an excellent job with suppuration. Well helps electrophoresis, the use of ultrasound. In addition, medications can be prescribed that help increase the protective functions of the body. Also attributed to the diet, he alth-improving gymnastics, which does not load the muscles of the lower extremities.
Radical measures include surgicalintervention. In the event that lymphadenitis is detected in an advanced stage, sepsis and necrosis of surrounding tissues may begin. To prevent this, a lymph node is opened under local anesthesia, pus and other fluid are pumped out, antibiotics are injected into the wound. After that, rest and bed rest are attributed.
If lymphadenitis is chronic, doctors often resort to removing the inflamed lymph node. But this is a radical measure, and is not supported by every surgeon.
At the initial stage of the disease, folk remedies, for example, dandelion juice, help well. To do this, the stems of the plant must be washed well with water, poured over with boiling water, finely chopped, extract the juice and apply with gauze to the inflamed knot. Leave the compress on for 2 hours. Do the procedure 2 times a day.
Peppermint leaves work well. They need to make incisions so that they let the juice flow, and also attach to the sore spot.
You can use traditional methods of treatment only after consulting a doctor. It is important not to start the course of the disease so as not to resort to surgical procedures.
How to distinguish lymphadenitis from neoplasm?
Inflamed lymph nodes, the photo of which is presented below, were formed as a result of lymphadenitis (the body's reaction to the presence of an infection in the blood). An experienced doctor can immediately conclude that this is not an oncological disease. With lymphadenitis, the diameter of the seal will be no more than 2 centimeters. It is important that they are well palpable, not soldered to the skin,loose. When touched, they cause pain. A more accurate picture will give an ultrasound of the lymph nodes.
If there is a tumor lesion, the seal will be hard, the ball does not move on palpation, firmly soldered to the skin.
We carry out prevention
Inflamed lymph nodes, the photo of which is presented in the article, deliver a lot of unpleasant pain to the patient. They need to be treated immediately. Are there any preventive measures that can prevent such a disease? First of all you need:
- Clean wounds if they occur to prevent infection from entering through them.
- Prevent injury in the groin.
- Treat colds.
- Strengthen immunity.
- Eat right.
Those people who have been ill with lymphadenitis should follow a certain diet. It is better to exclude fatty meat, spicy, s alty foods, whole milk from the diet.
Could there be consequences?
An inflamed lymph node in the groin in men may indicate the onset of a serious illness. Therefore, you must immediately consult a doctor for help. Delay can cause a number of complications:
- Sepsis.
- Tissue necrosis.
- Encephalitis.
- Abscess.
These complications occur only in extremely advanced cases, but stillthere is a risk of their development.
Summing up
The normal size of the lymph nodes in the groin in men is up to 10 mm in diameter. In all other cases, they are considered enlarged, which indicates the presence of an infection in the body. Beginning lymphadenitis is impossible not to notice. The affected node hurts, enlarged, the skin has a reddish tint. Perhaps the reason lies in wet legs, or a wound that is on the lower extremities. But only a doctor can determine the cause of this disease based on the results of tests and ultrasound.
Inflammation of the lymph nodes in the groin in men indicates that there is some kind of infection in the body that should definitely be treated. When the first signs of the disease appear, you should contact the clinic. Perhaps the reason is a weakened immune system, but there may be more serious factors that contributed to the development of lymphadenitis.
