Inflammation of the lymph nodes most often occurs due to viral, bacterial and parasitic infections. Lymph nodes are located
throughout the body and play an important role in the human immune system. Most often there is inflammation of the lymph nodes in the neck, groin, armpits, and also in the mandibular region. Inflammation of the lymph nodes is called lymphodenitis.
The human lymphatic system includes many different organs, vessels and nodes. Symptoms of the disease depend on the causes of the inflammatory process and are expressed in the following manifestations:
- Signs of upper respiratory tract infection, such as fever, sore throat, runny nose, etc .;
- Increased night sweats;
- Swelling of the extremities as a result of damage to lymph nodes located deep under the skin.
Some diseases, such as HIV, rheumatoid arthritis, mononucleosis, lupus erythematosus, cause inflammation of the lymph nodes throughout the body. Malignant tumors can be diagnosed by solidification and
rapid enlargement of the lymph nodes. Very often, the lymph nodes strongly protrude in young children at the base of the skull and in the neck. This is not always a sign of any deviations, but only an individual feature. You should consult a doctor if the lymph nodes exceed 2.5 cm in size.
It is necessary to seek medical help if the nodes do not accept normal sizes within two weeks and continue to grow. With weight loss, increased sweating, persistent high temperature, difficulty breathing and swallowing, medical intervention is necessary. In some rare cases, inflammation of the lymph nodes can be caused by medications such as phenytoin and
antimalarial drugs. Inflammatory processes can be caused by pathologies such as abscesses, tuberculosis, measles, sexually transmitted diseases, toxoplasmosis, erysipelas. Also, an increase in nodes occurs in cancer, for example, with lymphoma, leukemia and other types of cancer. In the absence of therapy, complications may occur in the form of an abscess or bacteremia.
The following methods are used for diagnosis:
- elucidation of the location of inflamed lymph nodes during the medical examination;
- the study of history;
- general blood analysis;
- computed tomography or x-ray examination;
- lymph node biopsy.
Using these methods, you can find out the causes of inflammation of the lymph nodes. Treatment can also be carried out in different directions. With the infectious nature of the disease, treatment is carried out with antibiotics. To relieve pain and temperature, aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen are used. In the case of inflammatory processes caused by an immune system disorder, such as lupus erythematosus and arthritis, therapeutic treatment of these diseases is prescribed. If symptoms occur due to cancer, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery are performed. With inflamed lymph nodes, warm compresses on the problem area can sometimes help. Over-the-counter pain medications can relieve pain. To restore vitality, you need a healthy sleep and good rest.
Timely seeking medical help is a guarantee of prompt and successful treatment. With the transition of the disease into purulent
stage at the site of the lymph node, connective tissue is formed. As a result
violations of lymphatic drainage in the affected area there are constant edema.