Among the common signs of a fairly wide range of diseases, there is an increase in lymph nodes in the lungs - pulmonary, basal bronchopulmonary, peribronchial or paratracheal. Since the lymph nodes are considered to be an essential component of the body’s immune system, their increase detected by x-ray, CT, or MRI of the lungs suggests one of the clinical indicators of pathologies of infectious or oncological origin. Enlarged lymph nodes with temperature are a symptom of pneumonia in an adult.
The disease is often called lymphadenopathy, hyperplasia, and enlarged lymph node syndrome (in patients with AIDS), however, in each case, the pathology has the same code R59 according to ICD-10, and the signs and differences from generally accepted measures that are found in patients belong to subclass R during the medical examination.
Pathogenesis
The pathogenesis of growth is partly due to the functions of the lymph nodes, which, using macrophages of their own sinuses and stroma, cleanse the lymph fluid from not very useful substances that harm the body.
Depending on the background of the disease and the mechanism of influence on the lymphoid tissue, varieties of this pathology are distinguished:
- cancerous origin
- infectious
- reactive.
Thus, during infection with lymphatic flow, phagocytes with captured antigens and cells that died from inflammatory necrosis get into the nodes and accumulate.
Granulomatous modification of the lymph nodes (with the displacement of the lymphoid tissue of the fibrous) is also observed with sarcoidosis, the cause of which is unknown to medicine at that time (despite this, autoimmune and genetic factors of its appearance are not excluded).
In cases of rapid growth, the predominant pathological process is the high proliferation of their follicles, which is provoked by autoimmune diseases - if the body's immune system produces antigens in spite of healthy cells, in particular, SLE.
With the growth of a malignant nature, lymphomas arise with abnormal cell proliferation. And with metastases, lymphoproliferative pathologies are caused by the infiltration of healthy tissues by atypical (oncological) cells and their proliferation, which leads to painful morphological changes.
Causes
Pulmonary lymph nodes become inflamed and increase in size due to an ongoing disease. Not a single inflammatory process in the lungs goes without affecting the lymph nodes. This happens due to T and B lymphocytes, as well as other protective functions of lymphoid tissue. There are a number of serious diseases associated with the respiratory tract and other organs of the person, in which the lymph nodes can become inflamed:
- Inflammation of the lymph nodes in most cases occurs due to infection of the body by various fungi. Acute or chronic bronchopulmonary mycoses develop, pneumonia pneumonia caused by streptococcus and staphylococcus
- Pulmonary disease sarcoidosis, as well as chronic pulmonary diseases such as silicosis or pneumoconiosis.
- Various types and forms of tuberculosis, such as pulmonary and extrapulmonary lymph node tuberculosis .
- Lupus erythematosus and amyloidosis, which lead to pulmonary fibrosis.
- Cancer of the respiratory tract contributes to inflammation and enlargement of nodes in the lung.
- The development of a malignant tumor in the digestive system leads to the appearance of metastases in the pulmonary lymph nodes.
- Tumors in the thyroid and mammary glands also lead to the formation of metastases.
- Leukemia, and in particular acute lymphoblastic leukemia, causes an increase in lymph nodes in the lung.
Diseases occurring with an increase and inflammation of the lymph nodes in the lungs are many. These are the most common ones. But do not exclude the possibility of growth in other diseases.
Symptoms
With inflammation of the lymph nodes, the following symptoms are characteristic:
- feeling tired immediately after a night's sleep;
- sudden changes in strength;
- state of depression;
- severe tiredness;
- the disease does not immediately show itself.
Usually the disease has an incubation period. To identify the disease at an early stage, you need to know these symptoms of lymphogranulomatosis in adults:
- body temperature rises sharply, chills pass through the body;
- heaviness in the chest, a feeling of intense pressure;
- characteristic burning under the scapula;
- joints hurt and ache.
There are also several other symptoms that can be detected even at the stage of the incubation period. If there are no severe complications in the form of inflamed nodes, then treatment will not cause difficulties.
If these symptoms are present, then long-term therapy will be carried out to restore the lungs, which can go with complications. Symptoms of pneumonia with temperature in an adult are accompanied by a prolonged cough and vomiting reflex.
One of the visual effects on the human body can be inflammation of muscle tissue, which leads to respiratory symptoms: dry cough, shortness of breath, wheezing. Granulomatous lymph nodes from 2 centimeters in size can cause severe pain.
Lymphogranulomatosis
Lymphogranulomatosis (Hodgkin's lymphoma) is an oncological disease of the lymphoid system in which Berezovsky-Sternberg-Read cells are found in lymphoid matter during diagnosis. These cells received the name in memory of the scientists who participated in their invention and research. Lymphogranulomatosis often occurs in children of late adolescence and also has peaks in morbidity at twenty and fifty years.
As with non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas, a symptom of adult lymphogranulomatosis is usually considered to be a significant increase in the size of the lymph nodes in the neck, in the armpits, or in the groin. Unlike infectious diseases, enlarged lymph nodes do not hurt, their scale does not decrease with time and with antibiotic treatment. Due to the fact that lymphatic tissue located in the chest is often affected, the initial sign of the disease may be difficulty breathing or coughing due to pressure on the lungs and bronchi.
Pleurisy and tuberculosis
The treatment of pleurisy (ICD-10 R09.1) directly depends on the disease, which resulted in inflammation of the lymph node. Often this happens pneumonia, in this case, the doctor will prescribe the necessary drugs, which in turn will fight this disease. With inflammation of the lymph nodes, a person has a high fever, severe headaches, weakness. A doctor with these symptoms may prescribe antipyretics or painkillers. The elimination of the inflammatory process begins primarily with the treatment of pleurisy (ICD-10 R09.1).
Lymph nodes can become inflamed through various diseases. Lymph nodes with pulmonary tuberculosis are no exception. It is necessary to go through all types of tests available in the hospital (blood, urine, antibodies). This will help determine the causative agent of the disease process, and subsequently cure this disease and forget about it for a long time.
What is the danger of lymph nodes in the lungs?
In most situations, the outcome and complications are associated with the course of the underlying disease. And complications of the growth of the lymph node in the lungs include the development of an abscess or phlegmon, the formation of fistulas, the development of septicemia.
Growth in the mediastinum leads to bronchial or tracheal obstruction, stricture of the digestive tract, pathology of blood flow in the superior vena cava.
Pulmonary infiltration in the lymph node region with sarcoidosis leads to scarring and irreversible fibrosis, severe pulmonary dysfunction and heart failure.
In the case of tuberculous lesions of intrathoracic lymph nodes with caseous contents, their rupture and the penetration of infection into other structures of the mediastinum are likely.
With growth caused by cancer, metabolic complications appear: a rapid increase in the amount of uric acid in the blood, an electrolyte imbalance, and functional renal failure.
Drug therapy
The defeat of the lymph nodes in the lungs is a pathological condition in which the nodes increase significantly. To stop the inflammatory process, various medications are usually prescribed.
NSAIDs: being introduced into the lymphatic system, they interfere with the production of prostaglandins, eliminate hyperemia, reduce swelling and soreness, and lower the temperature. Medicines of the NSAID group are usually used in the form of creams or ointments, which are used for 5 days. With longer use, they can irritate the mucous membrane of the digestive system, causing internal bleeding. This includes:
- "Nimesil";
- "Nimesulide";
- Diclofenac
- Ibuprofen, etc.
For children, it is preferable to use drugs in the form of candles.
Analgesics
Analgesics are used if the drugs of the previous group are not suitable for use by the patient. In particular, analgesics or paracetamol drugs are used - Efferalgan, Panadol, Analgin, etc.
Glucocorticosteroids
Glucocorticosteroids are prescribed for significant swelling and inflammation of the lymph nodes in the lungs. They stop soreness and remove local reactions. The use of Dexamethasone, Prednisone, and Hydrocortisone is recommended. But to independently apply them is undesirable, because they can enhance the symptoms of lymphadenitis.
Antibiotics
With lymph nodes in the lungs, the treatment is carried out with the following antibiotics:
- cephalosporins ("Cedex", "Cefixime", "Fortaz", "Ceftriaxone");
- macrolides (Sumamed, Azithromycin, Clarithromycin);
- fluoroquinols (Ciprofloxacin and Ofloxacin).
Doctors rarely use the penicillin group, since pathogenic microorganisms have recently acquired high resistance.
Antiviral
Antiviral agents are designed to suppress the activity of the virus, promote an increase in the immune status, and lead to the remission of papillomavirus and herpes. To increase immunity, use antiviral agents:
- Cycloferon;
- "Kagocel";
- Amiksin;
- Arbidol, etc.
Viral activity is suppressed by Isoprinosine, Zovirax, Acyclovir, Groprinosin.
Ointments
Ointments are intended for application to the lymph node, using dressings, lotions and compresses. The widely used Vishnevsky and Ichthyol ointments effectively stop inflammation, having a powerful antimicrobial effect. Heparin Accelerates Lymphatic Flow and Eliminates Stagnation. Non-steroidal ointments (Ketoprofen, Piroxicam, Diclofenac) help eliminate swelling and soreness.
Dressings are not recommended at night - when the drug dries, the affected area should "breathe" for at least 3 hours, after which you can repeat the procedure. External remedies should be used after eliminating the inflammatory process and high temperature.
Folk methods
To treat inflammation and enlargement of the lymph nodes with the help of traditional medicine is in conjunction with medications, since such inflammation of the nodes in the lungs subsequently arises of serious diseases. Alternative methods of treatment will favorably contribute to the recovery of the patient.
Lymph nodes increase in size due to the development of infection. The best remedy against this symptom will be anti-inflammatory fees, decoctions and infusions.
A useful infusion can be prepared from the bark and leaves of hazel. To cook it, you need to take one large scoop of dry hazel mixture and pour it with one faceted glass of water, which only boils. Insist for about half an hour and take, filtering the infusion, before eating a quarter cup.
You can buy a ready-made tincture of echinacea at the pharmacy and take it in twenty drops, diluting in an incomplete glass with water several times a day. She is an excellent antiseptic for the body.
Also, in the pharmacy, you can buy ready-made herbal preparations, which are used to destroy the inflammatory process in the body and reduce lymph nodes. The method of preparation of such fees is indicated on the packages. A similar herbal collection can be prepared independently by combining a blackhead, flaxseed, thyme, valerian root, oregano, St. John's wort, knotweed, calamus, birch leaves and raspberries. All plants must be dry. For collection, two tablespoons of each are mixed, only one teaspoon is taken only of valerian. From the resulting dry mixture, you need to take 2 tablespoons and brew at night daily in a liter of boiling water. Drink at a time. The course of treatment with such a decoction is long, at least a month.
Horsetail should be brewed in a glass of boiling water, taking one large measuring spoon. It must be taken within two to three weeks.
Various compresses are very good in the fight against enlarged lymph nodes. They remove swelling and pain. You can use fresh mint to make a compress. Its leaves need to be crushed, getting pulp and juice. The resulting mass is applied to the enlarged lymph nodes and insulated. This will reduce swelling and pain. Walnut (three parts), mistletoe (one part) and chamomile (five parts), or rather, their leaves, are also very effective. They need to prepare a decoction of them. Compress with a gauze or bandage, moisten it in a decoction, and apply to a sore spot for a couple of hours.
The course of treatment is long. To accelerate recovery and reduce swelling, you can daily massage the affected area with light and smooth movements.