The health status of the body as a whole is determined by the level of quality of functioning of the lymphatic system. If violations, failures are observed, inflammation of the lymph nodes in the inguinal region or any other part of the body is fixed, the resistance of the systems to aggressive external factors is sharply reduced. A person is unarmed before microorganisms that provoke all kinds of diseases, and as such, the space around us is literally crowded. To regain its former safety, you need to know why the lymph nodes become inflamed, how it depends on gender and age, and what to do in such a situation.
Problems: how to notice?
Inflammation of the lymph nodes always indicates a serious illness. If an unpleasant syndrome is observed in the inguinal region, there can be two reasons: the indirect effect of any pathology or the direct negative effect on the delicate zone. Inflammation of the inguinal lymph nodes in men and women is equally observed - gender does not play a role.
The lymph node belongs to the number of peripheral human organs. This is a small formation in the form of an oval or a circle. Sizes vary: from 0.5 to 2 cm. The area is responsible for cleaning the lymph flow and generating cells that provide protection to the person. Such components will eliminate infectious agents, tumor cells in different parts and tissues of the body.
Features of inflammation near the reproductive organs
On the expanses of the World Wide Web, you can find many awesome photos. Inflammation of the inguinal lymph node, according to doctors, is not always such a frightening phenomenon, some patients do not even notice the problem. But it is still worth knowing the features in order to immediately notice the inflammatory process at the first sign and seek medical help. Lymph nodes are located in the area of the folds near the reproductive organs. In medicine, this site is usually called the femoral triangle. The responsibility of the parts of the lymphatic system is the transportation of lymph to the ileal catch located in the abdominal region.
In medicine, inflammation of the inguinal lymph nodes is called lymphadenitis, and the acute form is divided into chronic. Some patients encounter inflammatory processes in only one local node, while others suffer from a group of entities or even several groups at once. The latter option is typical for systemic pathology. Usually, inflammatory processes that affect the lymph nodes in the inguinal region indicate diseases of the lower extremities and the pelvis. According to statistics, more than half of humanity faces such problems.
Where did the trouble come from?
You can understand the causes of inflammation of the inguinal lymph nodes in women and men, if you look at the essence of the very elements of our body. The nodes are responsible for filtering the lymphatic flow, that is, any infection that appears in the vessels will necessarily get into them. As soon as the human body has become the object of attack by an infectious agent, it is the lymph nodes that are the first to suffer, which resist the aggressive factor.
This element of our system is the first to take a hit, preventing the further spread of harmful sources of infection. Normally, lymph flow completely blocks the penetration of the agent - the body is protected from the problem. On the other hand, the body’s natural defenses are not always enough to cope with a harmful factor, which provokes lymphadenitis, that is, the inflammatory process. The causes of inflammation of the inguinal lymph nodes in men and women vary significantly, and with this symptom, the doctor prescribes a comprehensive examination to identify a specific disease.
About terminology
Inflammation is usually called such a natural reaction of the lymph nodes, which is observed when a harmful agent, pathogenic microscopic life forms, penetrate into this area. Inflammation of the inguinal lymph nodes is provoked by the ingress of cells from the infected area through the lymphatic current.
Main reasons
The most commonly observed causes of inflammation of the inguinal lymph nodes:
- purulent wounds of the dermis, boils;
- fungal infection;
- bacterial infection (streptococcus, staphylococcus);
- viruses (rubella, measles);
- colds, general hypothermia;
- lymph node injuries;
- tumor processes;
- blood diseases;
- sexually transmitted infections;
- allergy;
- infection of the area;
- diseases affecting the reproductive organs.
Often there is inflammation of the inguinal lymph nodes against the background of HIV infection. With this diagnosis, not only the indicated area suffers, but also other elements of the lymphatic system.
No less dangerous for the nodes are the stretch obtained during physical exertion (including sports activity). In adolescence, such an unpleasant symptom is observed if the children grow too fast. When undergoing specific drug therapy, the inflammatory process can be stimulated by drugs, but in practice, such a side effect occurs in a small percentage of cases.
How is it developing?
If the inflammation of the inguinal lymph nodes began suddenly, the area is felt when palpated as a swollen, probably the reason for the resulting grass, direct infection. Perhaps the opposite development of the situation: slowly progressive inflammation. The reason will be in systemic diseases or other similar underlying problems of the body.
Sexual diseases
They can provoke inflammation of the inguinal lymph nodes in both women and men. Most often, such a manifestation is characteristic of:
- syphilis;
- gonorrhea;
- urea, mycoplasmosis;
- herpetic genital infection;
- HPV viruses;
- chlamydia;
- trichomoniasis.
A special case
Often, symptoms of inflammation of the inguinal lymph node are observed with:
- cystitis;
- balanoposthitis;
- inflammation of the urethra;
- vesiculitis.
It is also worth remembering that inflammation of the inguinal lymph nodes in children does not always indicate a serious disease. If the child is growing rapidly, perhaps the lymphatic system simply does not keep up with the body. In such a situation, a doctor’s examination is necessary to clarify the reasons.
Symptomatology
The peculiarity of the location of the lymph nodes is their proximity to the skin. This allows you to check their condition without special equipment, simple palpation. Inflammation of the inguinal lymph nodes in women and men can be suspected by unpleasant, painful sensations in this area during movement, physical activity. The pain usually feels like aching.
Additional symptoms:
- the area is compacted;
- the skin turns red;
- worried about itching, burning;
- the skin is flaky;
- general hyperthermia;
- poisoning of the body, provoked by the accumulation of purulent discharge in the nodes.
The latter condition manifests itself as a sharp general rise in temperature and indicates serious progress of the disease. As a rule, acute lymphadenitis is accompanied by chills, headache, muscle aches, a person feels weak. If you take a blood test, the results will indicate leukocytosis. As a rule, an ESR level is observed above the norm.
Features of the course
Prolonged inflammatory processes lead to weight loss and chronic fatigue. The patient loses his appetite, constantly complains of a headache and feels exhausted. Such a malaise obviously indicates inflammatory processes, therefore, it is recommended not to delay going to the doctor to determine the localization of the disease and the optimal program for its elimination.
There are cases when inflammation of the lymph node did not manifest itself as a pain syndrome. If the area hardens, the node loses mobility, a high probability of malignant neoplasm, which requires urgent detailed diagnosis.
The greatest problems are observed with the diagnosis of a chronic form, characterized by mild symptoms. This leads to a running situation when it is quite difficult to deal with the problem.
Disease detection specifics
Accurate diagnosis is only possible with a qualified doctor. The difficulty is associated with the peculiarities of the location of the lymph nodes in the femoral triangle: they are not always probed. To clarify information about the human condition, an additional instrumental, laboratory diagnosis is prescribed.
The significance of revealing the disease is as follows: the manifestations of lymphadenitis are similar to the symptoms of an inguinal hernia, but the approaches to treatment are fundamentally different. In order not to harm the patient, but to improve the condition of the body, at the stage of diagnosis it is important to accurately formulate the cause of the discomfort.
Diagnostic techniques
At the initial treatment of the patient, the doctor attempts to probe the disturbing area. If the structural features of the body allow this, the doctor fixes the seals, when pressed against which the patient complains of pain, then lymphadenitis can be diagnosed with confidence. Additionally, slight redness of the skin indicates this disease.
If the characteristics of the body do not give the opportunity to examine the area by palpation, it is necessary to take a blood test. The doctor will prescribe a referral to him in the event that a visual and palpation check is possible, but the results are doubtful. Usually a sufficient amount of data gives a general blood test. Conclusions are drawn from information about the concentration of leukocytes, ESR - the first indicator is below normal, the second, on the contrary, is higher.
Additional methods
Sometimes biochemistry is prescribed to clarify the picture of the disease. This is such a blood test, from which you can accurately determine how much reactive protein is contained in the fluid running through our vessels. If malignant neoplasms are suspected, organic tissues are taken for biopsy from the affected area. Some patients require a histological examination to clarify the situation.
Ultrasound is a classic method of obtaining additional information about the state of the lymphatic system of the human body. This method allows you to accurately determine the size: a healthy node is usually no more than a centimeter. If the study revealed an abnormality, inflammation probably developed.
If a disease is suspected, it is necessary to consult a physician who will redirect the patient to a specific doctor. Most often these are doctors involved in urogenital problems of men and women. They can also prescribe a study with an infectious disease specialist.
The disease is found: what to do?
Treatment of inflammation of the inguinal lymph nodes should be prescribed by a qualified doctor. It is categorically not recommended to select medicines on your own: there is a likelihood of a worsening of the condition. The doctor draws up a therapeutic program based on information obtained from analyzes and instrumental studies assigned to the patient. Efficiency directly depends on the accuracy of identifying the cause of the disease.
In itself, the inflammatory process is extremely rare. Typically, lymphadenitis indicates another disease of an infectious nature: boil, abscess, carbuncle. Features of the therapeutic program are selected not only on the basis of the diagnosis, but also taking into account gender. A very important role is played by the individual characteristics of the body. All approaches are divided into conservative and surgical.
What will help?
As a rule, therapy begins with a course of antimicrobial drugs of wide effectiveness. The most commonly used penicillin series. The duration of the course, the specific dose, the doctor chooses, based on the characteristics of the patient's body: weight and age. The role is played by the activity of inflammation, other specific aspects.
Additionally, you can use drugs for local exposure - antiseptic ointments, gels. A rather popular remedy is Levomekol. When applying it, a gauze dressing is applied to the affected area to directly affect the focus of inflammation. But this option is not suitable for the purulent form of the inflammatory process, as well as for allergic reactions and possible intolerance of the active components of the drug.
Physiotherapy and Surgery
With inflammatory processes in the lymph nodes, electrophoresis shows good efficiency. The technique is combined with antimicrobial therapy. The option is not suitable if the disease is accompanied by suppuration.
Surgical intervention is important if the lymph nodes become the site of production, accumulation of purulent discharge. To allow this decay product to leave the body, drainage of the area affected by inflammation is done.
Additional recommendations
The maximum benefit of the therapeutic course is observed if the patient:
- adheres to bed rest;
- eats light meals, avoiding fat, high-calorie foods;
- applies antimicrobial drugs strictly in accordance with the recommendations of a doctor, does not violate the duration of the course and frequency of use of medicines;
- supports the body's strength with vitamin complexes.
It is possible to organize additional purification from toxic decomposition products. Sometimes anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics benefit. The possibility of using such medications must first be discussed with your doctor.