Under what circumstances does the doctor palpate the lymph nodes? If the functioning of the lymphatic system is disrupted, lymph nodes can become inflamed. This is a fairly common disease in our time, which is accompanied by unpleasant symptoms. At an early stage of the development of pathology, the lymph nodes increase, one or more, more often closer to the location of the infection. In the process of developing a disease, a person's general well-being worsens and body temperature rises. With a running disease, the symptoms deliver maximum discomfort. For this reason, it is important to consult a doctor in a timely manner, carry out an examination and begin comprehensive treatment.
The development of the inflammatory process
The lymph node is a separate peripheral organ that can be called an immune trap or a biological filter. Lymph nodes prevent pathogenic flora from spreading through the lymphatic system. Normally, one lymph node should be in size from 0.6-49 mm in diameter. The shape is round or slightly elongated. The lymph node is a kind of capsule of connective tissues, inside of which there are a large number of branches that pass into one another. The wide branch is the gateway through which the lymphatic system connects to the lymphatic vessels.
The largest cluster of large lymph nodes is located:
- in place of jugular veins;
- in the armpit;
- above the clavicle and below the clavicle;
- in the inguinal zone;
- under the knee hole.
Lymph nodes become inflamed for several reasons. Only the attending physician after palpation of the lymph nodes can determine the factor that provoked this phenomenon.
Why are they inflamed?
Most often, the lymph nodes become inflamed due to the excessive amount or increased toxicity of a foreign antigen, which entered the node through the bloodstream. If the lymphocytes are produced in insufficient quantities, their synthesis is likely to increase. You should know that lymphocytes are capable of destroying foreign agents. With an increased load on the lymphatic system during palpation of the lymph nodes, the doctor diagnoses their excessive increase. Among the main factors that provoke lymphadenitis in people, there are:
- Oncological process (in which the lymph node may increase).
- Lupus erythematosus.
- Joint problems.
- Systemic allergic reaction.
- A tubercle bacillus that has entered the body.
- Viral, fungal or bacterial infection.
Lymph nodes that are in the head and neck often respond to respiratory diseases, to a purulent-inflammatory process in the oral cavity (periodontal disease, stomatitis and caries). In the process of development of mastopathy in the armpit, nodes are often inflamed. The cervical lymph node often suffers due to purulent-inflammatory processes of soft tissue. Such a pathology is often provoked by people themselves, since it is forbidden to squeeze acne on their own, this provokes the spread of infection throughout the body. The axillary lymph node becomes inflamed when the skin is damaged during depilation. In the process of palpation of the lymph nodes, the doctor is able to determine deviations from the norm.
Causes of an increase in the inguinal node in women
Hemorrhoids, bacterial vaginitis, vaginosis, sexually transmitted infection provoke an increase in the inguinal lymph node. Inguinal lymph nodes in women often appear due to:
- wearing uncomfortable shoes;
- due to injury to the ligaments;
- due to the introduction of an infectious disease with pedicure.
It is important to timely treat all infectious diseases and be extremely careful during cosmetic procedures.
Common causes of lymph nodes inflammation in men
Most often, lymph nodes in men become inflamed for the following reasons:
- when cut during shaving;
- after an injury of any kind;
- with untimely treatment of purulent tonsillitis.
Men suffer much more complicated angina than women. This disease disrupts the cardiovascular system in men.
Common symptoms of the disease
If the lymph node hurts on palpation, it is important to consult a doctor. Slightly enlarged lymph nodes and pain do not threaten a person's life. At the same time, timely treatment is required. The lymph node often enlarges after a cold. If the white blood cell count returns to normal, the problem will disappear and the general condition of the patient will improve significantly. There are a number of symptoms, if they occur, you need to see a doctor and start treating lymphadenitis:
- Inflammation of the throat. Quite often, lymph nodes become inflamed in the throat at the initial stage of the development of pathology. Symptoms resemble commonplace colds. The main symptoms of this condition include: discomfort when swallowing, a feeling of a foreign body in the throat, systematic migraines, high body temperature. In the process of developing inflammation, the work of the respiratory system is not disturbed. Palpation of the lymph nodes in children under such conditions does not cause discomfort.
- Inflammation of the submandibular lymph node. In this case, the skin reddens over the knot, a febrile state occurs, weakness appears and the body temperature rises, the pain in the process of chewing food intensifies. When a person tilts his head, pain radiates to the throat, ear and forehead.
- If the lymph nodes behind the ear become inflamed, the patient experiences severe pain in this area. The pain is accompanied by a noise and clicking in the ear. Sometimes a patient confuses such an unpleasant feeling with a toothache. Under such conditions, palpation of the lymph nodes is painful.
- If the lymph nodes on the neck become inflamed, the patient develops soreness in the process of tilting the head, the skin on the neck becomes red, swallowing is difficult, body temperature rises, sleep is disturbed.
- Inflammation of the lymph node under the arm is characterized by soreness when moving the arm. When the node grows, the soreness intensifies.
- With inflammation of the lymph nodes in the groin, body temperature rises, the skin turns red and pain appears. Unpleasant sensations can give to the lower back, abdomen and sciatic nerve.
If one of the symptoms appears, you should immediately consult a doctor and carry out complex treatment.
The process of diagnosing lymphadenitis
In the process of diagnosing lymphadenitis, it is necessary to study the composition of the blood. It is important to take a general clinical blood test. Do not do without ultrasound of the affected lymph nodes. During the examination, the doctor assesses the size, structure and location of the lymph nodes. If purulent inflammation is present, the capsule of the node must be opened and the resulting material transferred to the laboratory for research. In some cases, specialists diagnose using histological analysis.
In the event that the inguinal lymph nodes have increased, it is necessary to visit a surgeon to exclude an inguinal hernia and an inflammatory process in the stomach. Palpation of axillary lymph nodes is always carried out by several specialists, including the surgeon. If after the obtained results of the study it was not possible to identify the disease, the patient must be checked for tuberculosis. In rare cases, magnetic resonance imaging is prescribed.
Indications for diagnosis
An indication for an ultrasound is a certain disease. If during the diagnosis, the doctor revealed a pathological change in the lymph node, the same disease can be exposed as a conclusion. If, after palpation of the lymph nodes on the neck, the doctor suspects a pathological change, a thorough examination is necessary. Most often, diagnostics are prescribed in the following processes:
- malignant neoplasms;
- pustular inflammatory process;
- different types of lymphomas;
- lymphosarcoma;
- syphilis;
- leprosy;
- tuberculosis.
The specialist always palpates the submandibular lymph nodes and the area where the primary pathological process is localized. With a systemic disease, it is necessary to examine all the lymph nodes.
Doctors recommend
Doctors are of the opinion that there are no special measures to prevent cervical lymphadenitis, since this disease can appear under the influence of many negative factors. To reduce the risk of a disease, you must:
- strengthen immunity;
- timely treat acute infectious disease;
- Do not overcool and do not stay for a long time in a draft;
- temper the body;
- if possible, prevent infection of the wound;
- observe basic rules of personal hygiene.
If one of the symptoms of the disease occurs, consult a doctor immediately and carry out a comprehensive medical study, this will help prevent the development of many diseases.
How to treat the disease?
Only a doctor can prescribe an individual course of treatment depending on the individual characteristics of the patient and the severity of the disease. With a running disease, the problem is eliminated by the surgical method. There are several folk remedies that will help eliminate the inflammatory process, namely:
- It is necessary to connect birch buds, oregano, St. John's wort, echinacea in containers in equal quantities. Pour boiling water and let it brew for an hour. Drink warm tea throughout the day.
- Dandelion juice must be applied to the affected area in the form of lotions.
- A lotion is made from chicory root. To do this, grind the plant and pour boiling water.
Before using any folk remedy, you need to talk with a specialist, since self-medication can harm and cause the development of serious complications. At the initial stage of the development of the disease, therapy is carried out with the help of medications. In order to prevent surgery, it is important to follow all the recommendations of the attending physician. Palpation of the cervical lymph nodes at home is not informative. Only a specialist can make a diagnosis.