The reasons that a tumor is a lymph node in the neck can be several factors. After all, as a rule, any inflammatory process in the body affects the functioning of the circulatory and lymphatic systems.
What is a lymph node and what is its role in the body?
Returning to the school course on the study of anatomy, it is worth paying attention to the features of work in the body of the lymph nodes. They are the basic elements of the entire lymphatic system. Their task can be called the development of immunity in general. The production of lymphocytes, which are immune cells, is extremely important for humans. It is these particles that help neutralize the negative effect of pathogenic microorganisms that penetrate from the outside.
Do not ignore the need to visit a doctor if the lymph nodes in the neck are swollen. What to do in this case? No one can give more correct advice than a specialist. You should not trust your health with positive reviews on the Internet about any remedy or the advice of friends, relatives and colleagues who are absolutely incompetent in medicine.
What lymph nodes can become inflamed on the neck?
Swollen lymph nodes on the neck (the photo below clearly demonstrates how it looks) cause a lot of discomfort and unpleasant pain.
In most cases, their localization tells doctors where to look for a problem. For example, with angina or otitis, the question should not arise why the lymph nodes in the neck swell. The infection settled nearby also causes an inflammatory process involving these elements of the lymphatic system.
In a person in the cervical zone there are several groups of lymph nodes:
- deep and superficial in the anteroposterior region;
- the same in the back of the neck;
- submandibular;
- chin;
- ear
- occipital.
In the absence of the development of the pathological process in the body, the predominant part of them, which is in a healthy state, should not be felt. An exception is only superficial nodes resembling beans in front of the neck. They are relatively unstable, elastic, non-static and painless.
Likely Causes of Lymphadenitis
As already mentioned, if the tumor is a lymph node in the neck, the first thing to do is look for the cause. Inflammation within the lymphatic system may indicate the presence of a disease within it, and may be a symptom of another pathology.
The most common factors for the occurrence of pain and swelling in the neck, in the area of the lymph nodes, doctors consider:
- The ingestion of pathogenic bacteria that provoke infectious diseases. The most frequently diagnosed in this case are acute respiratory viral infections, influenza, pathologies of the oral cavity (stomatitis, gingivitis, periodontitis, pulpitis), as well as chickenpox, rubella, tonsillitis, etc.
- Malfunctions in the immune system. An increased number of potentially dangerous microorganisms is associated with the latent course of chronic ailments, severe hypothermia, and the lack of vitamins and minerals necessary for the full functioning of life. Stress can also negatively affect the state of immunity.
- Acquired human immunodeficiency virus.
- Malignant degeneration of lymph cells.
- Mechanical damage and trauma to the site or surrounding tissues.
What else can cause an increase in lymph nodes?
In this case, other pathologies may be common causes of a swollen lymph node in the neck. In particular:
- metabolic disorders in the body;
- thyroid disease;
- allergic reactions;
- alcohol addiction, drug use.
How is inflammation of the lymph nodes manifested?
At the doctor's appointment, it is extremely important to remember other symptoms that have appeared since the lymph nodes in the neck swelled up. Treatment will largely depend on the clinical picture of a particular disease.
The inflammatory process in the lymphatic tissue manifests itself:
- noticeable enlargement of the nodes to the naked eye (swelling parameters vary within 2-5 cm in diameter);
- a change in the consistency of the node itself (it becomes noticeably hard or much softer than before);
- pain when swallowing, talking and feeling;
- hyperemia of the skin on the neck;
- general weakness of the body (lethargy, fatigue, headache, fever).
Who should I go to for medical help?
If the lymph node in the neck is strongly swollen, it is likely that this inflammation has an infectious etiology, which is why in most cases the symptoms characteristic of the disease first appear. Lymphadenitis - inflammation of the nodes - with angina is a characteristic symptom and the main criterion for diagnosing the disease. Accordingly, with recovery and proper therapy for tonsillitis, lymphadenitis will pass by itself.
Only after discovering the reason why the swollen lymph node in the neck is on one side, you can start treatment.
The most popular diagnostic method for inflammation of the lymph nodes is considered an ultrasound scan. Depending on the results of the survey, then you need to contact one of the narrowly specialized specialists:
- hematologist;
- to the dentist;
- otorhinolaryngologist;
- oncologist;
- to the surgeon.
What is the danger of lymphadenitis?
It is necessary to pay attention if the situation does not change with the course of treatment. For example, a swollen lymph node on the neck on the left or on the right side about 2 months ago, the therapy was long and thorough, but there was no result. In this case, you should undergo a comprehensive diagnosis and be sure to find the cause of persistent, prolonged inflammation.
If pain was added to the continued enlargement of the lymph nodes, then a cause for concern may not be far-fetched. With a solid and large lymph node that does not decrease in size for about six months, the doctor may suspect oncology. In this case, you may need to undergo a biopsy procedure and histological examination of lymphatic tissue.
Therapy of enlarged lymph nodes
It is advisable to begin treatment of inflammation as early as possible. Do not panic if the lymph nodes in the neck are swollen. What to do in this situation, the doctor usually decides for the patient. As a rule, treatment is a complex of therapeutic measures for taking medication and undergoing medical procedures.
One of the common methods for treating lymphadenitis is the use of UHF therapy. Its principle of action is to expose the patient to an electromagnetic field with ultrahigh frequencies.
As for drug treatment, it is only a doctor who can prescribe the use of certain anti-inflammatory drugs. Self-medication can be dangerous to the health of the patient. When drawing up a fundamental therapeutic regimen, it is important to consider the likelihood of side effects, contraindications, as well as individual characteristics of the patient's body. Only a highly qualified specialist can do this while taking into account all the points.
Antibiotics and lymphadenitis surgery
If a patient gets a bacterial infection or develops purulent complications, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics. If the lymph nodes in the neck are swollen and the temperature significantly exceeds 36.6 ° C, this is probably the case. The patient should observe bed rest, consume a sufficient amount of warm liquid and take vitamin complexes.
The ineffectiveness of drug therapy and UHF procedures is often an occasion for radical changes in treatment tactics. In case of severe purulent inflammation, the surgeon can prescribe an operation, the main purpose of which is to clean the clogged channel of the lymph node.
Is it possible to cure lymphadenitis with folk remedies?
Traditional medicine promises to alleviate the symptoms of lymphadenitis and eliminate the maximum discomfort that began since the swelling of the lymph node on the neck. Unambiguously talk about the benefits or harms of such therapy can not even doctors. It is believed that the weak effectiveness of folk recipes is fully justified by their safety and naturalness (in the absence of an allergic reaction).
Despite the fact that such methods cannot cure the disease, certified doctors often prescribe home remedies for patients with lymphadenitis as concomitant therapy. Nevertheless, they must be extremely careful, because they can both speed up the healing process and suspend it.
The most effective recipes, judging by the opinion and reviews of Internet users, are presented below:
- One of the best antiseptic natural drugs is considered tincture of echinacea. You can buy it at any pharmacy. It is taken orally. This tool belongs to the category of inexpensive drugs.
- Applying to the enlarged lymph nodes a healing stone - green jadeite. Proponents of alternative medicine truly believe that his energy will help the patient recover.
- Rinse with herbal broth. It will take fees for chamomile, mint and calendula. A decoction must be gargled several times a day.
- For rinsing, you can use the classic components that are in any kitchen: salt and soda. 1 glass of water will require half a teaspoon of both components. Gargle every 2-3 hours.
- Freshly squeezed juice of the agave. The people also believe that aloe vera will help cure inflamed lymph nodes. Take it advised inside of 1 tbsp. l
What can not be done with swollen lymph nodes?
The place where the lymph node in the neck is swollen (right or left) is determined by the location of the primary focus of infection. With pronounced inflammation of the middle ear or sore throat, you should not listen to advisers who recommend:
- put a heating pad or any warming compresses ;
- apply iodine nets;
- rub and massage the affected area of the neck.
Strict adherence to such recommendations is a direct path to hospitalization due to complications caused. Using one of the above methods, you can only help the infection to spread more quickly through the arteries and aggravate the condition.
The specificity of lymphadenitis in a child
Parents should pay special attention if they notice swollen lymph nodes in the child’s neck. You do not need to panic right away: children aged 5 to 7 years are at risk for lymphadenitis. This can be explained by the natural imperfection of the lymphatic system and, as a consequence, insufficient barrier function.
Factors that provoke inflammation of the lymph nodes in childhood are the same reasons as in adults. Most often, an increase in lymph nodes occurs in children due to acute respiratory infections. An important feature of the state of lymph nodes in children is that they can be enlarged due to the individual specifics of the child's development.
Prevention for adults and children
To prevent inflammation of the lymph nodes in the neck, it will not be possible to follow a specific step-by-step scheme. A disease, the causes of which lie in one - weakened immunity, can be prevented if:
- constantly strengthen the body's immune forces;
- cure all pathologies of an infectious nature to the end, do not start;
- not to be in drafts and not to allow hypothermia;
- temper;
- protect yourself from injuries and bruises;
- Prevent infection of open wounds;
- Do not neglect the rules of personal hygiene and wear gauze dressings during the epidemic.
An important role in maintaining immunity is given to nutrition: it should be rational, include the use of a large number of vegetables and as little as possible fatty, fried, chips, soda water, etc.