The lymph node has become inflamed. How to treat at home? How to get rid of pain? These questions are very relevant. What do you know about lymph nodes? They protect the body of each of us from infection, preventing harmful substances from entering the lymph. Visually, they are completely invisible, only to the touch they have the shape of small round formations located in different parts of the human body. How to recognize inflammation of the lymph nodes? How to deal with the problem? This is what we will talk about in this material.
Symptomatology
The following symptoms speak about the inflammatory process, which simply cannot be left without due attention:
- an increase in the diameter of the lymph nodes ;
- increase in body temperature;
- the formation of seals, sometimes purulent, in the places of the lymphatic system;
- headaches, general malaise;
- difficulty turning the neck, pulling pain of a constant nature;
- weakness, lethargy.
Lymphadenitis is quite difficult not to notice. The first alarming symptom is a significant increase in the diameter of the nodes, most often in the neck, pelvis or armpits. Immediately I want to focus on inflammation of the nodes without pain. Many do not pay due attention to such changes, considering the experience completely groundless. Indeed, quite often, specialists after the examination diagnose a more active lymph node in comparison with others, which leads to this effect. Often the inflammatory effect is observed immediately after the illness, a cold, but as the body recovers, the symptoms are eliminated. In the event that the symptoms began to be long-term in nature, it is urgent to seek help from a specialist.
Medical diagnostics
In the case of an initial visit to a medical institution, the doctor should conduct an examination of the inflamed area. Most likely, the patient complains of pain, and that the lymph node is swollen. It is strictly forbidden to treat it yourself, only a doctor can help overcome the problem without consequences and complications. In addition, the specialist must study the patient’s medical history, get acquainted with the specifics of their course. This will allow you to understand and evaluate the clinical picture. After this, a blood test is most often prescribed, which will help to identify the main causes of inflammation. In order to exclude the tumor, the patient is sent for x-ray, which is an obligatory stage of the study. Recently, computed tomography has been popular. The service is quite expensive, it requires the use of modern equipment, but it is it that allows the doctor to make the correct diagnosis. Accordingly, the treatment will be as effective and efficient as possible.
If the above methods are not allowed to make a diagnosis, a biopsy of the lymph nodes is prescribed.
Causes
In order to prescribe the most appropriate treatment and prevent relapse, it is important to understand what led to the problem. In fact, the causes of inflammation of the lymph nodes can be quite diverse, but most often they develop against the background of other diseases. At the moment, two forms of lymphadenitis are known: nonspecific and specific. Let's look at these concepts.
Nonspecific lymphadenitis
So, it is a consequence of inflammatory processes in the human body that have arisen as a result of exposure to harmful bacteria, such as staphylococcus, streptococcus. These microorganisms are dangerous in that they negatively affect the internal organs only under certain factors. Most often, non-specific lymphadenitis affects the neck. It is a very common problem these days.
Specific lymphadenitis
It is associated with exposure to the human body of more dangerous infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis or AIDS. The main and fundamental difference is the enormous damage that the disease causes to the body. The disease can be a consequence of the following pathologies:
- A tooth abscess is an infection localized in the area of ​​the tooth root. It can be the result of untreated caries or any other disease of the teeth or gums. A mechanical trauma or infection during treatment can also cause an abscess.
- Allergy - the sensitivity of the body to external stimuli.
- Angina - an acute disease, accompanied by inflammation of the tonsils. The causative agents are bacteria, especially staphylococcus, meningococcus.
- SARS - in this case, the lymph nodes of several groups are often inflamed at the same time. In adults, in the case of an acute respiratory disease, the lymph nodes always become inflamed, and in the case of children, the inflammation is so insignificant that it is sometimes difficult to diagnose it.
- HIV or AIDS is a viral disease that affects primarily the immune system of the human body. It provokes inflammation of the lymph nodes behind the ear and occipital region.
We tried to cite the most common diseases, the result of which is inflammation of the lymph nodes.
Which specialist should I contact?
For the first time faced with such an ailment, many really do not know where to start. Everything is extremely simple - start with a visit to a specialist who will conduct the necessary examination and prescribe the necessary tests and examinations in order to make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe adequate treatment. Given the fact that the causes of lymphadenitis can be different, then in each case, you will have to contact different doctors.
So, let's say, if the lymph nodes are inflamed in the jaw area, you should immediately make an appointment with the dentist, because, most likely, this situation is associated with the inflammatory process in the oral cavity or in the dental holes. No one except the dentist will help in solving this problem. If the nodes have increased in size in the inguinal region, it is advisable to consult a urologist in the case of men and a gynecologist with women. An otolaryngologist will help cope with inflammation in the cervical region.
Methods of struggle
How to treat a lymph node? All those who faced a similar problem are concerned about this issue. Inflammation restrains movement, leads to weakness, drowsiness, limits the activity of each person, and therefore requires a quick intervention of specialists. The main rule - do not self-medicate in any case. Only a doctor can diagnose the disease and prescribe treatment based on the results of the examination, examination, results of the tests.
Let's take a closer look at the main types of lymphadenitis and methods of struggle, and the criterion will be the area of ​​localization of inflammation.
Ear area
Most often, lymph nodes are inflamed in this area, which is confirmed by numerous studies. How to treat lymph nodes behind the ear? Few people know that not only harmful bacteria and microorganisms or cold can provoke inflammation, but also piercings, tattoos. That is why it is necessary to be extremely careful and vigilant in the choice of modern cosmetic procedures. The lymph nodes themselves can become inflamed both behind one and both ears. Most often, a specialist after examining and eliminating serious and dangerous diseases prescribes warm compresses to remove the inflammatory process, and an iodine net - a recipe for our grandmothers and great-grandmothers, which demonstrates good efficiency. If you have a lymph node inflammation, how to treat at home? If the attending physician does not mind, you can try the old methods proven over the years. The effect can be enhanced by a course of antibiotics and physiotherapy. Surgery is an emergency measure that is rarely used.
Cervical region
With the onset of spring, the first rays of the sun, many in a hurry to get rid of jackets and hats, replacing them with light windbreakers. This is a huge mistake, because quite often the lymph nodes become inflamed from the spring breeze. How to be in this case? How to treat lymph nodes in the neck in an adult? Inflammation in this area causes a lot of discomfort to a person, which is why it is so important to eliminate it as soon as possible.
Only a specialist can select and prescribe adequate treatment, but we want to share some well-known tricks with you. If lymphadenitis is associated with infection, a course of antibiotics is prescribed. In case of detection of herpetic infection, antiviral drugs are prescribed as additional therapy, most often Viferon, Cycloferon. If lymphoses on the neck hurt, how to treat? You can try local compresses soaked in a solution of "Dimexidum". In order to help the body fight the infection and recover, be sure to use immunostimulants. What if the lymph node under the arm is inflamed? How to treat it? In this case, the recommendations given to combat inflammation in the cervical region will come in handy.
Maxillary localization of the disease
Doctors of the whole world categorically forbid fighting this problem at home, resorting to even the most effective methods of traditional medicine. If you do not know how to treat the lymph nodes under the jaw, first of all, seek help from a medical institution in order to make the correct diagnosis and prescribe adequate treatment. If the inflammation is caused by caries, gum disease, after a visit to the dentist you will be able to get rid of the first symptoms of the problem. If the cause of lymphadenitis is bacteria damage, it will be possible to achieve the desired result only by the complex method using antibiotics and physiotherapy. In exceptional cases, an operation is prescribed.
Groin area
This is a rather unpleasant pathology, accompanied by painful sensations. How to treat lymph nodes in men and women in the inguinal region? The fight against inflammation in this zone is not much different from all of the above. The specialist appoints an examination, tests, based on the results of which he makes a diagnosis. Treatment consists of a course of antibiotics, antiviral drugs, as well as immunostimulants. Surgical intervention is prescribed in case of suppuration of nodal joints - this is an extreme and necessary measure, which they try to prevent by all possible means.
Treating children
Is the lymph node on the baby’s neck inflamed? How to treat in order to get rid of pathology as soon as possible? The baby’s condition is disappointed by the fact that he himself can’t convey all his feelings, anxiety, crying, an increase in the size of lymph nodes, and swelling can indicate a problem. Doctors are unanimous in the view that antibiotics for treating children are an urgent need, they disrupt the normal functioning of the microflora of the children's intestines, stimulating the development of complications. But how to help the baby? How to alleviate his condition?
Drug treatment is represented by penicillin group antibiotics (Amoxiclav, Flemoxin, Oracillin), accompanied by antiallergic drugs and immunostimulants. But many experts strongly recommend abandoning aggressive drug treatment in favor of physiotherapy.
UHF therapy
Ultra-high-frequency therapy has been shown to be effective in the fight against lymphadenitis. The patient’s body is affected by a high frequency magnetic field, the wavelength reaches from 1 to 10 meters. This is a modern alternative to compresses, providing a thermal effect. As a result, the vessels expand, white blood cells go to the lymph nodes, relieving inflammation.
ethnoscience
In that case, a cold or flu became the causative agents of lymphadenitis, compresses and decoctions will be an excellent option for treatment, especially for children. But in this case, you should be extremely careful, be sure to consult with specialists, because self-medication can lead to irreversible consequences. The most effective traditional medicine is considered:
- Dried Echinacea and Peppermint. To prepare a miracle remedy, you need to pour 4 tablespoons of echinacea into 1.5 cups of boiling water, boil the solution for 10-15 minutes. After this, add a quarter cup of mint, remove the broth from the heat, suck and strain. Children under three years of age should be given a quarter teaspoonful 3 times a day, for older children, you can increase the dosage to a teaspoon.
- Herbal compress - a tablespoon of chopped hazelnuts, St. John's wort and yarrow, pour a glass of cold water, then put the mixture on fire and bring to a boil. After that, remove the product from the fire, cool it, strain. A compress of gauze soaked in broth should be applied before bedtime to the inflamed area. The course of therapy is three weeks.
To summarize
As part of this material, we talked about how to treat enlarged lymph nodes, examined the most effective methods and common cases. The main thing is to remember that this disease requires proper and timely diagnosis and adequate treatment. Only an integrated approach will bring the expected result. If you do not know how to treat a lymph node, you have never encountered a similar problem before, do not trust the advice and recommendations of friends. Seek emergency assistance from a qualified technician. Self-medication can lead to irreversible consequences.