A lymph node is a peripheral organ of the lymphatic system, which is a kind of filter in the body. It is through it that lymph flows, which subsequently enters all parts of the body. There are many such nodes in the body. And with them, as with any other system, there are problems. Now we will talk about a fairly common one, namely, those cases when it is revealed that a person has an enlarged cervical lymph node.
Reasons
The phenomenon under consideration can have a variety of prerequisites. If a person understands that he has an enlarged cervical lymph node, then you should immediately consult a doctor. He will find out the exact cause, because the list of predisposing factors is long:
- Fungal, viral and bacterial infections.
- Autoimmune diseases.
- HIV
- Infection with helminths as a result of contact with an animal.
- Immune weakening.
- Metastases in the lymph nodes.
- Problems with the endocrine system.
- Disorders of the ENT organs.
- Tuberculosis.
- Pneumonia.
- Syphilis and other sexually transmitted diseases.
- Allergy.
- Alcohol abuse.
It is important to note that if the cervical lymph node is enlarged on only one side, then this may well indicate a brain disease. It is not excluded and the location of any infection near him. Be that as it may, as a result of the examination, the pathology will be revealed precisely on the affected side.
If the cervical lymph nodes are enlarged in a child, then the reason, most likely, is infectious mononucleosis, scarlet fever, rubella, otitis or SARS. In children, this pathology often occurs due to too rapid growth or due to the predominance of animal proteins in the diet.
Specific pathogens
We should pay a little more attention to some of the reasons listed above. The cervical lymph nodes are often enlarged due to specific pathogens. They may indicate that a person has rubella, tuberculosis, or syphilis.
However, not only cervical lymph nodes increase. Changes also affect the elbow, inguinal and axillary. If left untreated, the nodes are soldered, which ultimately leads to the formation of seals. Pus begins to accumulate in them, and then fistulas appear.
Vaccination can also provoke an increase in nodes. But it usually occurs in children. In such cases, specific treatment is not needed - it is only important to observesome time at the pediatrician.
Girls and women also do not need to worry about a slight increase in cervical lymph nodes, because for some this symptom warns of impending menstruation or menopause. Also, this manifestation is often observed during pregnancy and after childbirth.
Autoimmune processes
For this reason, cervical lymph nodes are often enlarged in adults. What is the pathogenesis? It's simple: if a pathology of this kind occurs in the body, then the immune system, being under the influence of certain factors, begins to perceive he althy cells of the body as foreign. And so it just starts to destroy them. Typically suffer:
- Nerve cells.
- Hematopoietic system.
- Articular tissues.
- Liver.
- Digestive organs.
- Glands of the endocrine system.
It should be noted that a group of diseases that provoke a hereditary or somatic mutation of the genes responsible for the apoptosis of dangerous clones of T-lymphocytes is called lymphoproliferative autoimmune syndrome. It's important to remember this. After all, it is often because of this syndrome that an adult has enlarged cervical lymph nodes. Of the accompanying conditions, splenomegaly and cytopenia are usually observed.
This violation is congenital, makes itself felt approximately on the 14-16th day of a baby's life. If the pathology is spontaneous-somatic, then violations are detected in the preschool period. Slightly less common in older children and adolescents.
Lymphoproliferative autoimmune syndrome with the same frequency affects both girls andboys. Unfortunately, the prognosis is either unfavorable or uncertain. The treatment is complex, but comes down to the constant use of cytotoxic and suppressive drugs.
Oncology
If an adult has enlarged cervical lymph nodes, then the fact that his body was struck by some kind of malignant neoplasm is not ruled out.
In this case, the pathogenesis is also clear. Cancer cells leave the site of formation, after which they spread along with the lymph flow.
What happens next? When filtered, the nodes secrete and then accumulate cancer cells. Because of this, they increase. Therefore, oncologists perceive growing lymph nodes as one of the key diagnostic criteria.
To clarify this assumption, a detailed blood test for oncological markers is usually performed, as well as a biopsy.
Lymphosarcoma is considered a particularly serious condition. With this disease, not neighboring organs are affected, but the nodes directly. This is a rare pathology, but it has a characteristic symptom. It manifests itself in a sharp and noticeable increase in nodes. And they can remain painless for a long time. Unless, of course, blood vessels and nerve endings are pinched.
Exterior changes
You can find out if the cervical lymph node is enlarged or not, just by touching it. Soft padding at the top and under the chin indicates this problem. It can be a little painful, but most often there are no unpleasant symptoms.does not experience.
In severe cases, the seal becomes hard, clearly visible. Sometimes it even reaches the size of a chicken egg, but for this to happen, it is necessary to ignore the problem for months.
In general, visual manifestations can be divided into the following list:
- Enlarged cervical lymph nodes (in a child or adult) are visible visually. The diameter of the bulge varies from 1.5 to 7 cm.
- The consistency of an organ changes, as does the structure. The node becomes more bumpy, adhesions with surrounding tissues are noticeable. Losing his mobility.
- The skin above the knot turns red, swollen and covered with a rash.
- When swallowing, there is discomfort bordering on soreness. This is observed if the posterior cervical lymph node has increased.
- Tilting and turning the head causes pain.
Symptoms
If a person has an enlarged cervical lymph node, then, in addition to all of the above, the following signs of illness are also observed:
- Drawing sensations that occur when turning the head. As the pathology progresses, they become sharp.
- Sore throat.
- Apathy.
- General malaise.
- Slightly elevated temperature.
- Complete lack of appetite or its significant deterioration.
- Redness of the skin in the affected area.
- Severe headache.
- Discomfort felt in the muscles.
Suppuration may also occur. In this case, the lymph node becomes eithertoo soft or too hard.
It is important to note that sometimes a person does not have any of the symptoms listed. He feels only a slight induration, and therefore prefers to ignore it, as it does not cause any inconvenience.
You just need to know that unilateral lymphadenitis often becomes chronic. And this is fraught with tissue growth, suppuration and other unpleasant consequences.
Consequences
Some people who have neglected their he alth may have enlarged cervical lymph nodes for a whole year, or even longer. Of course, this is dangerous. Chronic inflammation leads to degeneration of the lymph nodes. Often, due to the proliferation of connective tissue, there is a violation of lymph drainage.
What happens as a result? Lymphostasis develops, clinically manifested by trophic disorders and chronic swelling. Elephantiasis may also develop. This pathology is manifested by the proliferation of connective tissue, due to which the affected area increases and becomes disfigured.
Diagnosis
If a person has at least slightly enlarged cervical and submandibular lymph nodes, then you need to urgently sign up for an examination with a doctor (an infectious disease specialist or an endocrinologist). Diagnosis includes the following activities:
- Collecting an anamnesis. The doctor carefully studies the medical history, fixes complaints. The patient is obliged to tell in detail about his feelings, and also to remember exactly when they began to increase.knots, and what, in his opinion, could serve as a provoking factor.
- Physical examination. This is an examination of the throat and ENT organs, palpation of the lymph nodes, measurement of blood pressure and temperature.
- Biochemical and complete blood count.
- Ultrasound.
- X-ray of lungs.
- Tissue biopsy.
Diagnostics cannot be delayed. This may first be enlarged cervical lymph node on one side. As the situation progresses, the situation worsens. After some time, absolutely all nodes may well increase. In such cases, it is safe to talk about the development of a serious infection or oncological pathology of the blood.
Medicines
If a person has an enlarged and sore cervical lymph node, then immediately after the diagnosis is established, the doctor will prescribe the appropriate treatment for him. The basis of therapy, as a rule, is painkillers, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agents.
Here are the key groups of prescribed medicines:
- Broad-spectrum antibiotics. Depending on the pathogen, macrolides, fluoroquinolones, penicillins are prescribed. Usually it is "Azithromycin", "Amoxiclav" and "Tsiprolet". Drink them for about 7-10 days.
- Antiviral. Acyclovir and Rimantadine help well.
- Antimicrobial. Available in the form of tablets and ointments. The best are Levomekol and Biseptol.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. From this group, Nurofen and Nimesil are prescribed.
- Antimycotic agents. Highest specificityhas "Fluconazole".
- Antihistamines. They effectively constrict blood vessels in the area of inflammation. The best is "Cetirizine", which does not even cause a sedative effect.
- Painkillers for external use. Vishnevsky's ointment and Dimexide have a good effect.
- Homeopathic remedies. Usually they opt for drugs such as Lymphomiazot, Phytolyakka and Barita Carbonica.
Additionally, be sure to prescribe drugs that help strengthen the immune system. These are Viferon, Immunal, and also tincture of Eleutherococcus and Echinacea.
Physiotherapy
Talking about why the cervical lymph nodes are enlarged in a child or an adult, one should also pay a little attention to the popular method of treatment. Physical therapy is a really popular way to eliminate inflammation. The following methods are especially common:
- Electrophoresis. It implies the introduction of drugs into the body through the mucous membranes and intact skin.
- Galvanization. This is the name of a physiotherapeutic procedure, during which the human body is affected through electrodes applied to its skin. They conduct electrical current in the quantity in which it is able to be useful.
- UHF. A well-known physiotherapeutic technique, by which a high-frequency magnetic field acts on the patient. The wavelength varies from 1m to 10m. Only a slight warmth is felt.
In the event that neither drug nor therapeutic treatment has brought positive results, surgical intervention may be prescribed. During the operation, suppuration is opened, and then pus and connective tissues are removed. After that, the wound is drained.
Folk remedies
They can be resorted to as a preventive measure. Here are some actionable recipes:
- 10-15 drops of echinacea tincture diluted in 1 glass of water. Drink three times a day.
- Mix mistletoe, walnut grass, yarrow and St. John's wort (1 tsp each). Pour 1 glass of water and send the composition to the fire. Boil, and then simmer for another 5 minutes on low heat. When cool, can be used for night compresses.
- Take a few leaves of celandine, wash, and then grind well in a mortar. Squeeze out the juice. Take 1 tbsp. l. liquid and dilute with vodka or alcohol (100 ml). Give 1 day to brew. Then also use for compress.
- Dilute echinacea tincture 1:2 with warm water. Soak gauze in the resulting composition, and then apply it to the affected area. Fix for the night.
Lifestyle changes
If a person has enlarged cervical lymph nodes (posterior or anterior), then, in addition to taking the medicines prescribed by the doctor, he will also have to reconsider his lifestyle.
With this pathology, bed rest is indicated, it is important to protect yourself from significant physical exertion. It is also impossible to strain the diseased area. It is worth limiting hand movements, less oftenturn your neck. It is recommended to completely wrap it with a scarf. This will also help maintain a constant temperature in the affected area.
The diet will need to be diversified with liquid. It is strongly recommended to drink herbal decoctions, compotes, freshly squeezed juices, tea with lemon. Dishes are recommended to be consumed in liquid form, as chewing only enhances the discomfort. After mitigating unpleasant symptoms, it will be possible to add steamed food to the menu, as well as meatballs and cereals.
