The main function of the lymphatic system in the human body protection against toxins, pathogenic micro-organisms and viruses. The most outstanding elements of this system are the lymph nodes size, which normally does not exceed a pea.Lymph nodes contain white blood cells and a yellow fluid (lymph).The latter bathes the cells of all organs, the security of the pathogen and transformed cancer cells in the lymph nodes. This mechanism allows you to delay spread through the body and the growth of malignant tumors.
Directly next to the lymph nodes occurs, the destruction of cancer cells, viruses, and germs lymphocytes, which begin to divide. A mild increase in lymph node can mean, that he began to work more actively in connection with the beginning of the disease. If sore lymph nodes in the neck, it indicates the development of inflammation in its immediate vicinity.
The pathogen can penetrate into the lymph nodes in the following ways:
- Called hematogenous way.
- Through the lymph vessels.
- The common data path.
This reaction has been called lymphadenitis. Pathology of the lymphatic system require a special attention of the doctor, because they are always partner a serious illness. It is therefore necessary to urgently seek qualified medical help.
Causes cervical lymphadenitis is
Swollen lymph nodes in the neck is often one-sided. This defeat mainly to the fact education, which is located near the source of inflammation or infectious lesions. If the enlarged lymph nodes to stimulate growth of the tonsils, salivary glands, near the ears, lacrimal gland, then you should contact your doctor immediately.
If lymph nodes in the neck increased for a few months, the doctor may suspect the presence of malignancy. In such cases, there is a sharp decline in the elasticity of the lymphatic vessels, their increasing involvement in the pathological process of are all located nearby lymph nodes. He lymph node is firm to the touch, is painful.
So, add nodes for the following reasons:
- Bacterial, fungal and viral infections (ARVI, acute tonsillitis, tuberculosis, chickenpox, influenza, toxoplasmosis, rubella, herpes, otitis media, dental caries, periodontal disease).
- Parasites.
- The mechanical injuries.
- The human immunodeficiency virus.
- A decrease in immunity. Constant illness, stress, exposure to cold, lack of vitamins can cause lymphadenitis. Repeated infections can lead to chronic lymphadenitis.
- Auto-immune diseases.
- Toxins in the blood.
- Oncology. The development of lymph node inflammation may be the consequence of the occurrence of tumor in the lymphatic tissue.
- Rarely, lymph node inflammation causes: alcoholism, disorders of the thyroid gland or metabolism.
Separately allocate such causes of lymphadenitis is:
- Allergic drugs.
- Allergic to insect toxins.
- The immune response to the vaccine.
In such cases, there is enlargement of the lymph nodes, severe pain, possible swelling of the face, fever, chills.
The classification of the disease
There are several stages of lymphadenitis is depending on the symptoms:
- Sore lymph nodes in the neck a little bit, determined by palpation a small increase. The patient may notice weakness, headache, and elevated body temperature for a long time.
- The lymph node is greatly enlarged, is determined visually (the size can vary from pea, egg), pain on palpation, during the act of swallowing. The patient complains of weakness, increased body temperature, discomfort during head rotation, loss of appetite, headache.
- Severe pain and redness in the area of lymph node showing the development of purulent inflammation. The patient has a high fever (up to 40), fever, chills, a bad mood, apathy, nausea and vomiting. Constant headaches, dizziness can indicate a serious poisoning.
Chronic lymphadenitis the symptoms listed above can be absent. To diagnose the disease is very problematic, because the lymph nodes can almost not noticeable in common. In such cases, without treatment, leads to a gradual and irreversible degeneration of the cervical lymph nodes.
Cervical lymphadenitis in children
Swollen lymph nodes are common in children, who often suffer from colds. The inflammatory process may occur even in infancy, however, in such cases, the diagnosis node is difficult. The children quite often, swollen lymph nodes during a cold and will go away themselves after recovery. Also, be aware that some of the lymph nodes, because of its special location (the individual characteristics of children) can only show you the enlarged and does not require treatment.
The reasons for the development of lymphadenitis in children are many, the most common:
- Bacterial and viral infection (sore throat, influenza, toxoplasmosis, mononucleosis).
- Reaction to vaccination.
- Skin damage (scratches, cats, rodents).
Remember!
If the lymph node is bothering the child for a long time without any apparent reason, in the body is inflammation. The final diagnosis and to appoint effective treatment can only be a doctor after proper diagnosis.
Lymphadenitis pregnant women
A special danger lies in the inflammation of the lymph nodes during pregnancy, because this disease can leave negative consequences for both the mother and the fetus. The disease occurs due to the reduction of the immunity of women during pregnancy, it may trigger the same factors. In such cases, problems can arise when choosing a medication.
During pregnancy is strictly forbidden for the treatment of lymphadenitis alone. You should contact your doctor, who can determine the cause inflammation, prescribe effective and safe medications. Take care of your health carefully and the first symptoms, it is better to consult a specialist.
The main methods of diagnosis of pathology
There are over a hundred different diseases that can cause a reaction of the lymphatic system. It is therefore necessary to make a difference in the diagnosis of disease, paying attention to even minor symptoms.
Today-the most accessible and informative method of diagnosis is ultrasound (us). It allows you to determine the size and shape of the lymph nodes, evaluate their structure, in some cases, the nature of the lesion configurations. For example, herpetic infection leads to the growth of several lymph nodes at the same time.
It is important to understand that the possibilities of ultrasound is limited, so to confirm diagnosis you may need to do additional clinical and laboratory research:- The clinical analysis of blood.
- MRI.
- CT.
- The X-rays.
- Lymph node biopsy, followed by histological examination of tissues.
Important!
X-ray method is effective only if the calcification lymph node, that is, the deposition of the lymphoid formations of calcium salts. Such changes take several years or serious metabolic disorders.
Treatment
If sore lymph nodes in the neck, treatment should include treatment that effectively removes the inflammation and all signs of the disease. Treatment should be selected strictly individually, depending on the cause of the disease and its stage. It is important to remember that the lymphatic system is a physiological shield the body's ability to produce lymphocytes, which are able to deal with pathogens of different nature (viruses, bacteria, parasites). Therefore, with the simple inflammation of the body is able to cope on their own.
If the lymph node is sore for a long time on the background of General intoxication, widely used in the following treatment:
- Reduced physical activity, bed rest, drinking plenty of fluids.
- The use of anti-inflammatory drugs, which have a mild antibacterial effect. Inefficiency perhaps the use of steroid drugs.
- More the use of pain medications and antibiotics broad spectrum of action on the background of tonics, vitamin preparations accelerate recovery.
- It is possible to use traditional methods as an additional treatment: gargle with a decoction of herbs (chamomile, calendula), which affects the local area of inflammation. It is important to remember that traditional medicine can only work an additional treatment.
- Power repair. It is necessary to increase the consumption of vitamins in fruits and vegetables (onions, citrus fruits) that help fight against infections, increases milk products.
- Appointment UHF-therapy to reduce the recovery time. This therapeutic technique is based on the electromagnetic field of ultrahigh frequencies in the inflamed area.
- Without a timely medical help in difficult clinical cases, resort to surgical treatment (to perform a puncture or total excision of a lymph node).
When lymphadenitis the lymph node can be heated, grind and apply on the affected area with iodine. These events can trigger the spread of infection, increases the risk of brain damage.
Basic preventive measures
A special prevention of lymph node inflammation is not there, because this disease is polyetiological disease (a disease develop for many reasons).
However, to prevent the inflammation of the lymph nodes allows the following functions:
- Regular hardening.
- The maintenance of a healthy immune system.
- Timely treatment of acute infectious disease, which does not allow them to pass into the chronic form.
- To minimize hypothermia and stay in the cold air.
- To reduce the risk of injury, and wound infections.
It is important to remember that any pain in the neck, the neck and the jaw, in most cases, are anxiety symptoms. Lymph nodes in the neck increase in size and hurt only in the presence of a severe inflammatory process. To avoid radical surgical intervention is necessary when pain syndrome immediately consult a specialist and comply with all the requirements.