Acute colds are found several times a year in almost every person. Also, a large group of the population suffers from chronic infectious pathologies. These include tonsillitis, pharyngitis, tracheitis, otitis media, etc. These people periodically experience lymph nodes swelling behind the ear, neck, etc. Indeed, their inflammation often accompanies diseases of the upper respiratory tract and tonsils. Nevertheless, there are many more pathologies in which patients complain that the lymph nodes in the neck or behind the ears are swollen. Such diseases are not always safe, so this syndrome is an occasion to visit a doctor.
Enlarged lymph nodes - what is it?
Often people turn to the doctor with such complaints as: swollen, lymph node in the neck hurts. This symptom can talk about different pathologies. The most common causes are inflammation and swelling of the lymphoid tissue. In the first case, hypertrophy is usually associated with angina or pharyngitis. The enlargement of the lymph nodes is not a terrible symptom and disappears after elimination of the underlying disease. If this syndrome is not associated with inflammatory processes in the throat, then the patient must immediately be examined. In this case, the complaint may be that the patient has severely swollen lymph nodes in the neck. Hypertrophy can be either single or double-sided. Such a symptom can be observed with various lymphomas, as well as Hodgkin's disease. Such pathologies relate to oncological processes and require special treatment.
The child has swollen lymph nodes in the neck: causes
Enlarged lymph nodes in children are more common than in adults. This is due to the reactivity of the body of babies. Protective forces in the early age period respond to inflammation faster than in the adult population. For this reason, a complaint that the baby has swollen lymph nodes in the neck is often found in pediatric practice. As in adults, several pathological conditions can serve as a reason for the development of this symptom. Among them:
- Inflammation of the palatine tonsils. This reason is one of the most common etiological factors. In this case, the patient (or the parents of a small patient) may complain that the right lymph node on the neck is swollen, or, on the contrary, the left one. The lesion site coincides with the side on which the inflamed tonsil is located.
- Lymphadenitis It is a little less common. It refers to independent diseases of the lymph nodes and is also inflammatory in nature. In this case, there is no primary focus of infection, tonsils may not be enlarged. The causes of lymphadenitis are the same as for colds. These include: hypothermia, contact with infected people, decreased immune defense.
- Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas are cancerous tissue degeneration. Unfortunately, such tumors are found in children. They belong to dangerous oncological pathologies that quickly lead to the appearance of metastases.
- Hodgkin's disease. This pathology also belongs to the group of cancer processes. It can be found in both children and adults. The prognosis for this disease is often favorable.
- Oncological processes localized in the neck. Less commonly, a symptom can cause cancer in the oral cavity.
Also, among the reasons that the lymph nodes in the neck or in other areas are swollen, metabolic disorders and thyroid diseases are distinguished. In addition, hypertrophy can occur with chronic alcoholism, allergic reactions.
The mechanism of development of lymphadenopathy
The pathogenesis of lymph node enlargement depends on what exactly caused the hypertrophy. In inflammatory lesions, the trigger factor is the penetration of infection into the body. This usually happens by airborne droplets. Bacteria, once on the mucous membrane of the oral cavity, settle on the tonsils and multiply. Some of them penetrate the lymphatic vessels and reach the nodes. Propagation of bacteria leads to the activation of the immune system. The interaction of microorganisms and macrophages cause an inflammatory reaction, which refers to the body's defense mechanisms. It manifests itself in the fact that the lymph nodes hypertrophy and become painful.
With cancer pathologies, the mechanism of action is different. It consists in the fact that normal cells of the lymphatic system become atypical and begin to multiply intensively. This can be preceded by such factors as ionizing radiation, chemical influences, bad habits.
Symptoms with enlarged lymph nodes
Often patients consult a doctor with complaints that a sore throat, swollen lymph nodes in the neck. Such symptoms usually accompany colds. If hypertrophy of the lymph nodes is caused by an inflammatory reaction, then the following symptoms are distinguished:
- Pain on palpation of the neck, behind the ears. It may be accompanied by discomfort in the throat, difficulty swallowing.
- Hypertrophy (enlargement) of the lymph node. Its size can be different (from the size of peas to walnuts and even chicken eggs).
- Hyperemia - redness over the area of swelling.
- Fever.
- General weakness, loss of appetite, muscle pain.
- Cough, hyperemia of the pharynx, enlarged palatine tonsils.
If the cause of a tumor of the lymph nodes is an oncological pathology, then the symptoms are different from colds. They depend on the location of the cancer.
Diagnosis of swollen lymph nodes
With lymphadenopathy, it is necessary to conduct a thorough diagnosis and find out the cause of its appearance. Especially seriously should be taken in cases where hypertrophy is not accompanied by colds. First of all, palpation of the lymph nodes is carried out not only on the neck, but also in all other areas. Assess their consistency and size, shape, soreness. Also pay attention to the skin over the enlarged knot. In the absence of an upper respiratory tract and throat infection, as well as lymphadenitis symptoms, an ultrasound scan is necessary. In some cases, this is not enough to establish a diagnosis. If cancer is suspected (lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease), a node biopsy is performed with a puncture needle. After this, histological examination is necessary to establish the cellular composition.
Differential diagnosis for lymphadenopathy
In the case of enlarged lymph nodes, differential diagnosis is very important. This symptom can accompany a lot of different diseases. Among them:
- Inflammatory pathology. They have the most favorable prognosis. The nature of the inflammation can be determined by the consistency of the nodes. If they are tight to the touch, then drug therapy is enough to eliminate hypertrophy. Soft lymph nodes mean that the tissue has undergone purulent fusion. In this case, surgical assistance is needed.
- Infectious mononucleosis. This disease is more common in children. Its characteristic features are a skin rash and an increase in several groups of lymph nodes (axillary, cervical, inguinal).
- Tuberculosis. If this pathology is suspected, it is necessary to conduct a Mantoux test and pass a sputum test.
- Oncological diseases. They can have any localization. With lymphomas, one node is most often affected. With cancer of the organs of the neck, oral cavity, the location of hypertrophy depends on the location of the tumor focus. Hodgkin's disease covers several groups of lymph nodes at once.
- Primary and secondary immunodeficiency states.
Swollen lymph nodes on the neck: what to do?
Based on the severity of the problem and considering the possible consequences, you should be aware that an increase in lymph nodes in the neck is always a reason to go to the clinic. Even with a suspicion of the inflammatory nature of hypertrophy, self-treatment cannot be done. First of all, seek medical help from a therapist. If necessary, he can refer to other specialists. Among them may be the following doctors: surgeon, TB specialist, infectious disease specialist, oncologist. Do not be afraid of specialist advice, as referral to them does not always mean severe pathology. In some cases, their opinion is necessary to exclude the diagnosis.
Folk remedies for enlarged lymph nodes
It is undesirable to treat swollen lymph node on the neck with folk methods. This is due not only to the fact that the cause of his hypertrophy cannot be determined independently, but also to possible complications. For example, warming the inflamed node can lead to suppuration and breakthrough into the surrounding tissue. However, there are several folk recipes. They are used for lymphadenitis, accompanied by angina. Among them: the use of tincture of echinacea (10 drops per 50 ml of boiled water), gargling with a solution of salt and soda. Also, fresh aloe juice is considered effective, which must be taken 1 tablespoon per day. Decoctions of mint or chamomile will help relieve sore throat and get rid of lymphadenitis faster. Use them 3-4 times a day.
Medication for lymphadenopathy
Drug therapy is prescribed for the inflammatory nature of the disease. It is recommended to take the antibacterial drugs Amoxicillin, Cefuroxime, etc., if lymphadenitis is accompanied by purulent tonsillitis. Physiotherapeutic treatment (UHF) is also used. With purulent inflammation of the lymph node , surgical intervention is required (opening and draining the pathological focus). For cancer, surgery, radiation and chemotherapy are necessary.
Methods for the prevention of lymphadenopathy
For the prevention of lymph node hypertrophy, it is necessary to timely treat inflammatory diseases of the throat, gums and teeth. Also, it is important to avoid hypothermia and conduct vitamin therapy. With a repeated enlargement of the lymph nodes after surgical treatment, you must consult a doctor immediately.