Cervical lymph nodes can increase as a result of many diseases, which differ not only in the clinical picture, but also in the methods of their diagnosis and treatment. As a rule, the reason for their increase is not associated with oncological or oncohematological diseases.
Often these are immunological, infectious (bacterial, viral, protozoal, fungal) and other conditions. In healthy children, certain groups of nodes are normally palpated. These are mainly cervical lymph nodes, as well as inguinal and axillary. It should be noted that with age, the percentage of healthy children who have palpable lymph nodes increases significantly.
So, in 34% of cases, it is possible to detect in newborns lymph nodes having a size of more than 0.3 cm. And in 24% of them, these are inguinal lymph nodes. But already at the age of 1 to 12 months, this figure reaches 57%, and already this is most often the lymph nodes in the neck.
Lymph nodes are considered enlarged, the size of which is more than 1 cm (cervical) and 1.5 cm - inguinal. Their increase is due to proliferation of lymphocytes, being a response to infection. This may be due to the development of lymphoproliferative ailment. Cervical lymph nodes can increase as a result of infiltration by malignant or inflammatory cells.
Often there is a disease such as local lymphadenopathy, which is defined as a direct increase in those groups of lymph nodes that are anatomically located closely. In patients with this disease, it is often cervical (85%), then axillary (about 7%) and supraclavicular (3.5%) lymph nodes that are involved. Various types of infections usually lead to this disease.
When the cervical lymph nodes suddenly and sharply increase, this can be a symptom of many acute local diseases. This may well be a sore throat, and a variety of dental diseases, and infections of the nasopharynx, as well as any general disease.
Cervical lymph nodes, the location of which contributes to reliable protection of the body from all kinds of inflammatory processes and tumors, increase with inflammation in the tonsils, gums and teeth. Therefore, it is so important to carefully examine the oral cavity, especially the space to the left and right of the root of the tongue, since it is there that inflamed enlarged tonsils can be found. In this case, you should immediately begin to gargle with a specially prepared solution of soda, chamomile or other antiseptics. But there are cases when there is an increase in lymph nodes without any signs of angina.
If, when you click on a node, painful sensations do not occur, and it is mild, it means that an infection that is caused by herpes viruses may well be present in the body.
When the cervical lymph nodes are thickened, they are inherent in pain. And if swelling spreads to the lower part of the cheek and jaw, then this can serve as a signal of mumps, it is also called “mumps”.
Whatever the signs of the disease, the final and reliable diagnosis in any case can only be made by an experienced specialist, having first ascertained its cause. It is he who prescribes the necessary treatment for inflammation of the lymph nodes in the neck. So, in order to reduce swelling and improve the condition of the nodes, absorbable ointments and substances are prescribed.
In addition, light massage is of great benefit. And in the absence of contraindications, it is recommended to carry out thermal, but always sparing procedures. These include warming the neck, for example, with a woolen scarf.
Do not forget about proper, nutritious nutrition. Since the body is weakened due to the fight against various infections and viruses, it just needs a lot of vitamins and nutrients. But we should not forget that inflamed lymph nodes are very painful, which means that a person will feel a certain discomfort when eating. Therefore, all food should be liquid and thoroughly ground.