Lymphadenitis is a consequence of an inflammatory process developing in the body. This disease manifests itself in the form of damage to the lymph nodes. Lymphadenitis occurs due to the ingress of various pathogenic microorganisms into the lymph nodes with lymph or blood, as well as tissue decay products and toxic substances.
Lymphadenitis can act as an independent disease or be a signal of the presence of pathological processes at a particular level. Doctors consider lymphadenitis as a manifestation of the barrier function of the entire lymphatic system, as well as a limiter to the spread of any infection.
Varieties of lymphadenitis
Lymphadenitis is divided into three main varieties. They differ among themselves depending on the location of the inflammatory process. These varieties includethe following:
- Cervical lymphadenitis. This type of disease is associated with various tumor and inflammatory processes in the body. Lymph from absolutely all parts of the body passes through the neck area partially or completely. Angina, paratonsillitis, acute streptococcal pharyngitis, diseases of the oral cavity and teeth, various respiratory viral infections are often accompanied by chronic and acute lymphadenitis. In the diagnosis of this type of disease, the localization of inflammation of the lymph nodes plays an important role. The nodes behind the neck can change in size with toxoplasmosis and rubella, and the parotid nodes can become enlarged with conjunctival infections.
- Submandibular type of lymphadenitis. This type of disease is most common, mainly observed in adolescence and childhood. Inflammation of the pharyngeal tonsils is often accompanied by the development of submandibular lymphadenitis. Submandibular lymph nodes begin to increase in size with exacerbation of chronic tonsillitis, as well as with dental inflammation in the oral cavity. As a rule, this lymphadenitis resolves if the underlying disease is cured.
- Inguinal lymphadenitis. The main reason for the development of this type of disease is considered to be inflammatory diseases of the internal and external genital organs, which are of an infectious nature of origin. Provoke an increase in the inguinal lymph nodes in the body can also be purulent processes occurring in the lower region of the trunk and limbs. Such processes shouldinclude boils, purulent wounds, trophic ulcers and felons.
If one of the types of the disease has been diagnosed, then it is possible to treat lymphadenitis with folk remedies. However, before embarking on alternative therapy methods, it is imperative to consult with a specialist.
Symptoms of the disease
The clinical signs and symptoms of lymphadenitis are the same. First of all, at the initial stage of the development of the disease, the temperature rises, the lymph nodes increase and thicken, and severe pain is felt. During palpation, it can be found that the lymph nodes are not soldered to each other and to the skin covering them.
During the progression of the inflammatory process, a rather painful and compacted infiltrate begins to form. Over time, the skin over this area turns red, becomes hot, motionless.
If an unfavorable course of inflammation is observed, it can be transformed into a purulent one. In such cases, the body temperature begins to increase to 39 degrees. Quite often, the general condition of the patient is also disturbed. Sweating, malaise, loss of appetite and headaches appear. If lymphadenitis has turned into purulent, then after a while the lymph nodes begin to decrease in size.
For several days, the lymph node melts, and the purulent contents break out. When the abscess is completely cleared, the soreness with lymphadenitis begins to pass, as a resultwhat comes recovery. If you do not start the treatment of lymphadenitis in time with folk remedies or medications, then the inflammatory process can provoke various kinds of complications.
It happens that after an acute process, chronic lymphadenitis often begins to develop, when lymph nodes of various sizes with limited mobility increase. As a rule, such lymph nodes are painless, but very dense. The large size can last for a long time, but then the lymph nodes begin to decrease.
It is worth noting that the general condition of the patient with a chronic disease is not disturbed, and the body temperature remains within the normal range.
Causes of disease development
As a rule, the main provoking factors in the development of purulent lymphadenitis are chronic, subacute and acute inflammatory processes in the human body. First of all, this should include phlegmon, boils and ulcers. Quite rarely, with direct infection of the lymph node or injury, primary lymphadenitis is observed.
The main role in the etiology of the disease belongs to staphylococci. Less commonly, pathogens such as streptococci, toxoplasma, mycobacteria and protozoa can become the cause. A generalized increase in the size of the nodes is observed during toxoplasmosis, AIDS, mononucleosis, tuberculosis.
As for regional lymphadenitis, it develops due to genital herpes, syphilis or tularemia. An increase in the size of the lymph nodes can also beprovoked by the infiltration of metastatic malignant cells in the presence of oncological diseases.
Diagnosis of disease
As mentioned earlier, it is possible to treat lymphadenitis with folk remedies. However, before this, it is imperative to consult with your doctor after a full examination. Superficial lymphadenitis, as a rule, is diagnosed simply, especially if the main focus of infection has been found. The specialist in this case bases his opinion on clinical signs and symptoms, as well as on anamnestic data. If the clinical diagnosis is not clear, then it is necessary to additionally examine the patient. For patients with purulent lymphadenitis, the examination should be comprehensive, which will include:
- microbiological and serological testing;
- CBC;
- ultrasound;
- puncture biopsy according to indications;
- radiological examination;
- CT scan.
In recent years, progress has been made in diagnostic methods by specialists through X-ray lymphography, scanning, and remote infrared thermography. Treatment of inflammation of the lymph node should be prescribed by a specialist. As a rule, after the diagnosis, the doctor prescribes various procedures and medications for therapy. You can also treat lymphadenitis with folk methods. It is also agreed with the specialist.
Methods of treatment of lymphadenitis
The treatment of this disease is based on the elimination of infectious and inflammatory processes. Treatment of inflammation of the lymph nodes will depend on the stage of the disease. As a rule, inflamed lymph nodes after a sore throat or flu do not require drug therapy, since such symptoms generally go away on their own.
Taking antibiotics
Other treatments for lymphadenitis involve taking antibiotics, especially if the affected areas are festering. Antibiotics and sulfa drugs are used depending on the sensitivity of the patient's flora. It is determined during diagnostics.
The duration of treatment will also depend on the presence of local and general symptoms, the duration of the normalization of laboratory tests. In the comments, both doctors and patients advise any therapeutic treatment that involves taking antibiotics to be supplemented with the use of general strengthening drugs and vitamin complexes that increase immunity and improve the general condition of the patient.
Physiotherapy
In addition to medical and folk methods of treating lymphadenitis, specialists often prescribe physiotherapy, which should include ultrasound and electrophoresis. Physiotherapy at the same time has a stimulating effect on the humoral and nervous processes in the body, while increasing the reactivity of tissues. This procedure is resolving. Physiotherapeutic treatment methods cause an increase in local phagocytosis.
Surgery
If there is no effect from the treatment of lymphadenitis at home with folk remedies and medications, then a surgical intervention may be prescribed, as a result of which the purulent contents are removed from the body by opening the foci of accumulation. Suppurated lymph nodes are removed and then sent to a special study, where the development of cancer and oncology is excluded.
Folk remedies
Lymphadenitis can also be treated with alternative medicine. However, before doing this, it is imperative to consult with your doctor. Before treating lymphadenitis with folk remedies, you should pay attention to the fact that such remedies must be used in a complex manner, choosing one natural remedy that will be taken orally, one collection of herbs, two remedies that will be applied topically in the form of a compress or ointment.
- Herbal collection, which is used for the treatment of recurrent and chronic lymphadenitis. To prepare it, you need to mix an equal amount of yarrow, dioecious nettle, oregano, hop cones. Add 3 parts of field horsetail to the resulting composition. One tablespoon of herbs pour 300 ml of plain water, then send to a water bath. It is necessary to simmer the herbs for 15 minutes. After this time, let the broth brew for 10-15 minutes. Further, it is filtered. The finished product is used 100 ml 30 minutes before meals 3 times a day.day.
- Dandelion juice. In the treatment of cervical lymphadenitis with folk remedies, dandelion juice is very effective. To do this, you need to grind the fresh grass of this plant, and then squeeze the juice out of it. The resulting liquid must be soaked with a piece of gauze, after which it is applied for 2 hours to the inflamed area. This procedure must be carried out twice a day. The course of therapy is 3 days. If there is no positive dynamics, then you need to contact a specialist.
- Ointment based on boletus. To prepare such a remedy, it is necessary to melt about 200 g of interior fat in a water bath. You also need to add three tablespoons of chopped dry grass of the boletus, and simmer the resulting mixture in a water bath for about 4 hours. The hot mixture must be filtered, and then sent to a glass container with a lid. Ready ointment is stored in the refrigerator. Apply this remedy to the affected lymph nodes 3 times a day.
- Infusion based on horsetail and knotweed. Such an infusion, according to doctors, is a blood purifier. To prepare it, you need to take one spoonful of dry crushed knotweed plant. Brew raw materials with 300 ml of boiling water, let it brew for 20 minutes, then pass through gauze. It is necessary to take a ready-made infusion 3 times a day 30 minutes before eating. According to the same recipe, an infusion based on horsetail is prepared. It is taken in the same way. It should be noted that these two types of herbs can be alternated with recurrent and chroniclymphadenitis. The course of treatment with one herb should be a week, after which you should start taking an infusion based on another herb. The total duration of therapy is 2 months.
- Mint leaves. With lymphadenitis in children, folk remedies can be treated with mint leaves. To do this, you need to knead and grind the leaves of this plant so that they give juice. The resulting composition is applied to the inflamed lymph nodes, lotions can be fixed with a plaster or bandage. This compress must be left for 2 hours. The procedure is carried out 2 times a day. Parents recommend combining such treatment with dandelion juice, the preparation of which was described above.
- Mistletoe. To prepare such a remedy, you need to take a spoonful of crushed dry mistletoe leaves. Pour raw materials with 3 liters of water, let it brew in a water bath over low heat for 20 minutes. After this time, the infusion is cooled and filtered. The finished product is used for the manufacture of compresses. Every day for 2 hours it is necessary to apply a gauze bandage soaked with this agent. An oilcloth is applied on top of the gauze, everything is fixed with a plaster.
- Chicory. This tool is considered by many to be affordable and effective. It is used to treat nonspecific lymphadenitis. To prepare it, it is necessary to grind the chicory roots in such an amount that will be enough to cover the area of \u200b\u200bthe inflamed lymph nodes. Raw materials are poured with boiling water so that the liquid covers only chicory. The remedy is infused for 20 minutes. Thereafterit is necessary to crush the steamed chicory, and drain all excess liquid. The resulting mass is distributed evenly into pieces of gauze, after which it is applied as a compress to the inflamed lymph nodes. From above, a gauze napkin is covered with a film and fixed with a bandage or plaster. The compress must be kept for 2 hours. Such procedures are carried out twice a day.
- Anti-inflammatory herbal collection. Take a little oregano, wormwood, peppermint, raspberry shoots and leaves, St. The resulting herbal collection is used to make tinctures. To prepare it, you need to take two tablespoons of these herbs and pour them in a thermos with 0.5 liters of boiling water, let it brew for 8 hours. The finished product is taken 5 times a day, 100 ml each.
- External remedy from walnut leaves. To prepare an effective, according to many patients, funds, it is necessary to grind the leaves, then pour them with boiling water, let it brew for 20 minutes. The resulting mass is wrapped in gauze, soaked a little with the same infusion, after which the compress is applied to the inflamed area. The top of the gauze is covered with parchment paper or plastic wrap. The compress is left in this form for 2 hours. Treatment should be carried out twice a day.
Lymph nodes become normal due to the treatment of lymphadenitis with folk remedies ormedicines that were prescribed by a doctor.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is worth noting that it is necessary to start treatment of this disease only after a full examination by a specialist. Therefore, at the first symptoms, it is necessary to contact a medical facility. The treatment of lymphadenitis with folk remedies is considered very effective. A he althy lifestyle can be used as a preventive measure to avoid this unpleasant disease.
