The 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, like 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 a cervical lymph node.
Causes
The phenomenon under consideration can have a variety of premises. If a person understands that his cervical lymph node is enlarged, then you should immediately consult a doctor. He will find out the exact reason, because the list of predisposing factors is long:
- Fungal, viral and bacterial infections.
- Autoimmune diseases.
- HIV
- Helminth infection as a result of contact with an animal.
- Weakened immunity.
- 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 make a reservation that if the cervical lymph node is enlarged on only one side, then this may well indicate a brain disease. It is possible that the location of any infection near him. Anyway, 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 cause is most likely due to infectious mononucleosis, scarlet fever, rubella, otitis media or SARS. In children, this pathology often occurs due to too fast growth or because of the predominance of animal proteins in the diet.
Specific pathogens
A little more attention should be paid to some of the reasons listed above. Cervical lymph nodes are enlarged often due to specific pathogens. They may indicate the presence of rubella, tuberculosis or syphilis in a person.
However, it is not only the cervical lymph nodes that increase. Changes also affect the elbow, inguinal and axillary. If untreated, the nodes are soldered, which ultimately leads to the formation of seals. Pus begins to accumulate in them, and then fistulas arise.
Vaccination can also provoke an increase in nodes. But this is usually found in children. In such cases, specific treatment is not necessary - it is only important to be observed for a while by the pediatrician.
Girls and women also do not need to worry with a slight increase in cervical lymph nodes, because for some, this symptom warns of upcoming menstruation or menopause. Also, this manifestation is often observed during pregnancy and after childbirth.
Autoimmune processes
For this reason, in adults, cervical lymph nodes are enlarged frequently. What is the pathogenesis? It's simple: if a pathology of this kind arises in the body, then the immune system, under the influence of certain factors, begins to perceive healthy cells of the body as foreign. Therefore, it simply begins to destroy them. As a rule, suffer:
- Nerve cells.
- Hematopoietic system.
- Joint tissue.
- 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 apoptosis of dangerous clones of T-lymphocytes is called lymphoproliferative autoimmune syndrome. It is important to remember this. Indeed, it is often because of this syndrome that an adult has enlarged cervical lymph nodes. Of the concomitant conditions, splenomegaly and cytopenia are usually observed.
This violation is congenital, makes itself felt at about 14-16 days of life of the baby. If the pathology is spontaneous-somatic, then violations are detected in the preschool period. Slightly less often - in older children and adolescents.
Lymphoproliferative autoimmune syndrome affects girls and boys with equal frequency. Unfortunately, the forecasts are either unfavorable or uncertain. The treatment is complex, but it comes down to the constant use of cytotoxic and suppressive drugs.
Oncology
If an adult has enlarged cervical lymph nodes, then the fact is not excluded that his body was struck by any malignant neoplasm.
In this case, the pathogenesis is also understandable. Cancer cells leave the site of formation, and then spread with the lymphatic stream.
What happens next? During filtration, the nodes secrete and then accumulate cancer cells. Because of this, they are increasing. Therefore, oncologists perceive the expanding lymph nodes as one of the key diagnostic criteria.
To clarify this assumption, an extensive blood test for oncological markers, as well as a biopsy, is usually performed.
A particularly serious condition is lymphosarcoma. With this ailment, it is not neighboring organs that 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 at the same time, they can remain painless for a long time. Unless, of course, blood vessels and nerve endings are pinched.
External changes
You can find out whether the cervical lymph node is enlarged or not, simply by touching it. A soft seal in the upper part and under the chin indicates this problem. It can be a little painful, but most often a person does not experience any unpleasant symptoms.
In severe cases, the seal becomes hard, clearly visible. Sometimes the size even reaches a chicken egg, but for this to happen, you need to ignore the problem for months.
In general, visual manifestations can be distinguished in such a 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 knot becomes more tuberous, adhesions with surrounding tissues are noticeable. His mobility is lost.
- The skin over the site redden, swell and become covered with a rash.
- When swallowing, discomfort is felt bordering on pain. This is observed if the posterior cervical lymph node has increased.
- When bending the head and turning, pain occurs.
Symptoms
If a person has an enlarged cervical lymph node, then, in addition to all of the above, the following symptoms of the disease are also observed:
- Drawing sensations arising when turning the head. As the pathology progresses, they become sharp.
- Sore throat.
- Lethargy.
- General malaise.
- Slightly elevated temperature.
- Complete lack of appetite or its significant deterioration.
- Redness of the skin in the affected area.
- Strong headache.
- Muscle discomfort.
Suppuration may also occur. In this case, the lymph node becomes either too soft or excessively hard.
It is important to make a reservation that sometimes not a single symptom of the above is observed in a person. He feels only a slight condensation, and therefore prefers to ignore it, since it does not cause any inconvenience.
You just need to know that unilateral lymphadenitis often takes on a chronic form. And this is fraught with the proliferation of tissue, the occurrence of suppuration and other unpleasant consequences.
Effects
In some people who have started their health, cervical lymph nodes can be enlarged 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, lymph drainage is disturbed.
What happens as a result? Lymphostasis develops, which is clinically manifested by trophic disorders and chronic swelling. Elephantiasis may also develop. This pathology is manifested by the growth of connective tissue, because of which the affected area increases and is disfigured.
Diagnostics
If a person has at least a little enlarged cervical and submandibular lymph nodes, then you need to urgently make an appointment with a doctor (an infectious disease specialist or an endocrinologist). Diagnostics includes the following activities:
- History taking. The doctor carefully examines the medical history, records complaints. The patient is obliged to tell in detail about his feelings, as well as remember exactly when the nodes began to grow, 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 general blood test.
- Ultrasound
- X-rays of light.
- Tissue biopsy.
Diagnostics must not be delayed. It can be first enlarged cervical lymph node on one side. As you progress, the situation gets worse. After some time, absolutely all nodes may well increase. In such cases, we can confidently talk about the development of a serious infection or oncological blood pathology.
Medicines
If a person has an enlarged and sore cervical lymph node, then immediately after the diagnosis is established, the doctor will prescribe a suitable treatment. The basis of therapy, as a rule, is painkillers, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agents.
Here are the key groups of prescription drugs:
- Broad-spectrum antibiotics. Depending on the pathogen, macrolides, fluoroquinolones, penicillins are prescribed. Usually it is "Azithromycin", "Amoxiclav" and "Tsiprolet". They drink them for about 7-10 days.
- Antiviral. Good help "Acyclovir" and "Rimantadine."
- Antimicrobial. Available in the form of tablets and ointments. The best are Levomekol and Biseptol.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory. From this group, Nurofen and Nimesil are prescribed.
- Antimycotic agents. The most specific is Fluconazole.
- Antihistamines. They effectively constrict blood vessels in the area of inflammation. The best is considered to be "Cetirizine", which does not even cause a sedative effect.
- Painkillers for external use. A good effect is exerted by Vishnevsky ointment and Dimexidum.
- Homeopathic remedies. Usually they opt for drugs such as Lymphomiazot, Fitolyakka, and Barita Carbonika.
Additionally, drugs are prescribed to help strengthen the immune system. This is Viferon, Immunal, and also tincture of Eleutherococcus and Echinacea.
Physiotherapy
Talking about the reasons for enlarged cervical lymph nodes in a child or adult, you should also pay a little attention to the popular method of treatment. Physiotherapy 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 the physiotherapeutic procedure, during which the human body is exposed through electrodes applied to its skin. They conduct an electric current flowing in the amount in which it is able to benefit.
- UHF A well-known physiotherapeutic technique by which a magnetic high-frequency field acts on a patient. The wavelength varies from 1 to 10 m. There is only a slight warmth.
In the event that neither medication nor therapeutic treatment has yielded positive results, surgical intervention may be prescribed. During the operation, suppuration is opened, and then pus and connective tissue are removed. After that, the wound is drained.
Folk remedies
You can resort to them as a prophylaxis. Here are some effective recipes:
- Dilute 10-15 drops of echinacea tincture in 1 glass of water. Drink three times a day.
- Mix the mistletoe, walnut grass, yarrow and St. John's wort (1 tsp each). Pour with 1 glass of water and send the composition to the fire. Boil, and then simmer another 5 minutes over low heat. Having cooled, it can be used for night compresses.
- Take a few leaves of celandine, wash, and then chop well in a mortar. Squeeze the juice. Take 1 tbsp. l liquid and dilute with vodka or alcohol (100 ml). Give 1 day to insist. Then also use for a compress.
- Dilute in a ratio of 1: 2 tincture of echinacea with warm water. In the resulting composition, soak the gauze, and then attach it to the affected area. Fix at night.
Lifestyle change
If a person has enlarged cervical lymph nodes (back or front), then, in addition to taking medications 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. You can also not strain the affected area. It is necessary to limit the movements of the hand, rarely turn the neck. It is recommended to completely wrap it with a scarf. So it will also be possible to 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, since chewing only enhances discomfort. After mitigating the unpleasant symptoms, it will be possible to add steamed food to the menu, as well as cutlets and cereals.