The main function of the lymphatic system of the human body, protection against toxins, pathogenic microorganisms and viruses. The most significant elements of this system are the lymph nodes, the size of which usually does not exceed a split pea.The lymph nodes contain white blood cells and yellow fluid (lymph).The second horn cells of all the organs, the location of the pathogen and the changed cancer cells in the lymph nodes. This mechanism allows to delay the propagation of the infection through the body and the growth of malignant tumors.
On the side of the lymph nodes occurs the destruction of the cancerous cells, viruses and germs lymphocytes, which began to share. A slight increase in the lymph node can be said that he started to work more actively in relation to the onset of the disease. If the evil of the lymph node in the neck, which indicates the development of inflammation in the surrounding area.
The disease agent is capable of penetrate the lymph nodes in the following ways:
- Called hematogenous way.
- Through the lymph.
- The contact path.
This reaction has been called lymphadenitis. Pathology of the lymphatic system, require a special attention of the doctor, as they are always the companion of serious illness. Therefore, it is necessary to quickly search for qualified medical help.
Causes of cervical lymphadenitis l'
Swelling of the lymph nodes of the neck is often a face. This defeat mainly to the fact education, which is located near the source of the inflammation or infectious lesion. If enlarged lymph nodes to stimulate the growth of the tonsils, salivary glands, near the ears, lacrimal glands, then you should consult immediately with a doctor.
If lymph nodes of the neck to increase in a few months, the doctor may suspect the presence of malignancy. In these cases, there is a strong decrease of the elasticity of the lymphatic vessels, their growing involvement in the pathological process of all located close to the lymph nodes. He lymph node is firm to the touch, is painful.
So, to lead to an increase in the lymph node following reasons:
- Bacterial, fungal and viral infections (ARVI, acute tonsillitis, tuberculosis, chickenpox, influenza, toxoplasmosis, rubella, herpes, otitis media, caries, periodontal disease).
- Parasites.
- Mechanics of the injury.
- The human immunodeficiency virus.
- Decrease of the immunity. A course of the disease, stress, exposure to cold, lack of vitamins can cause lymphadenitis. Frequent infections can lead to chronic lymphadenitis.
- Autoimmune diseases.
- Toxins in the blood.
- Oncology. Development lymphadenitis may be the result of the appearance of tumors of the tissue lymphatic.
- Rarely lymphadenitis due to: alcoholism, disorders of the thyroid or metabolism.
Separately allocate these reasons lymphadenitis:
- Allergy to drugs.
- Allergic to insect toxins.
- Immune response to the vaccine.
In these cases, there is enlargement of lymph nodes, pronounced pain, swelling of the face, fever, chills.
Classification of the disease
There are several stages lymphadenitis the according to symptoms:
- Sore lymph nodes in neck slightly, determined by palpation a small increase. The patient may note weakness, headache and the elevation of the body temperature for a long time.
- The lymph nodes are very enlarged, it is determined visually (the size can vary from pea to egg), pain on palpation, during the act of swallowing. The patient complains of weakness, increased body temperature, discomfort during head rotation, decreased appetite, headaches.
- Pain and redness of the area of the lymph node indicate the development of inflammation, purulent. Patient has high fever (up to 40), fever, chills, bad mood, apathy, nausea and vomiting. Constant headaches, dizziness can indicate a serious poisoning.
Chronic lymphadenitis the symptoms mentioned above can be absent. In order to diagnose the disease is very problematic, because the lymph nodes can almost not perceptible to the touch. In these cases, the absence of treatment will lead to a progressive and irreversible degeneration of the cervical lymph nodes.
Cervical lymphadenitis in children
Swollen lymph nodes are common in children who suffer from colds. The inflammatory process may occur even in childhood, however, in these cases, the diagnosis of the node is difficult. The children very often, swelling of lymph nodes during a cold and go away after recovery. Also, keep in mind that some of the lymph nodes due to their special location (the individual characteristics of the child) can only be seem extended and do not require treatment.
The reasons for the development lymphadenitis children are many, the most common:
- Bacterial and viral infection (sore throat, flu, toxoplasmosis, mononucleosis).
- The reaction of the vaccination.
- Damage to the skin (scratches, cats, rodents).
Remember!
If the lymph node is bothering the child for a long time for no apparent reason, in the body is inflammation. The final diagnosis and to appoint effective treatment can only be a doctor after making an appropriate diagnosis.
Lymphadenitis pregnant women
A special danger lies in the swelling 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, can cause the same factors. In these cases, difficulties may arise when choosing the drugs.
During pregnancy is strictly forbidden to treat lymphadenitis alone. You should contact the doctor who will be able to find out the cause of the inflammation, to prescribe effective and safe medications. Treat your health with care and in the first symptoms is best to consult a specialist.
The main methods of diagnosis of pathology
There are more than a hundred different diseases that can cause a reaction of the lymphatic system. Therefore, it is necessary to perform the differential diagnosis of the disease, the attention to even the minor symptoms.
Today, the most accessible and informative method of diagnosis is ultrasound (us). To determine the shape and size of the lymph nodes, to evaluate its structure, in some cases, the nature of the lesion formations. For example, herpetic infection leads to an increase in multiple lymph nodes simultaneously.
It is important to understand that the possibilities of ultrasound is limited, so to confirm diagnosis you may need to conduct additional clinical and laboratory research:- Clinical analysis of blood.
- The magnetic RESONANCE imaging.
- CT.
- The x-rays.
- The lymph node biopsy followed by a study of histological tissue.
Important!
X-ray method will be effective only if calcification lymph node, that is to say, deposition in lymphoid formations of calcium salts. For changes will take several years or serious metabolic disorders.
Treatment
If you sore lymph nodes of the neck, the therapy should include the treatment effectively eliminate the inflammation and all signs of the disease. The treatment should be chosen strictly individually depending on the causes of the disease and its stage. It is important to remember that the lymphatic system is a physiological shield for the body with the ability to produce lymphocytes, which are able to deal with pathogens of different nature (viruses, bacteria, parasites). Therefore, with a simple inflammation of the body is able to cope on their own.
If the lymph node is sore for a long time in the General fund of the poisoning, the widely used following treatment regime:
- Reduced physical activity, rest, drink plenty of fluids.
- The use of anti-inflammatory drugs, which has a mild antibacterial effect. The ineffectiveness perhaps the use of drugs steroids.
- The additional use of analgesics and antibiotics of wide spectrum of action in the background of tonics, vitamin preparations will speed up the recovery.
- It is possible to use traditional methods as an additional treatment: gargle with decoction of herbs (chamomile, calendula), which can locally affect the area of inflammation. It is important to remember that the traditional medicine can act only as auxiliary treatment.
- The power of the correction. It is necessary to increase the consumption of vitamins from vegetables and fruits (onions, citrus) that will help in the fight against the infection, add dairy products.
- Appointment UHF-therapy to reduce the recovery time. This therapeutic technique is based on the electromagnetic field of ultrahigh frequencies in the inflammation of the area.
- In the absence of timely medical help in serious clinical cases, resort to surgical therapy (conducted by a puncture or total excision of the lymph node).
When lymphadenitis the lymph node can not be heated, grind and apply on the affected area iodine. These events can cause the spread of the infection, increasing the risk of brain damage.
Basic preventive measures
Specific prevention lymphadenitis s does not exist, as this disease is polyetiological diseases (pathology, a development for many reasons).
However, to avoid the inflammation of lymph nodes allow the following activities:
- Normal hardening.
- The maintenance of a healthy immune system.
- The timely treatment of acute infectious diseases that they can pass in the chronic form.
- Minimize hypothermia and stay in the cold air.
- To reduce the risk of injuries and infections of the wound.
It is important to remember that any discomfort in the neck, the neck and under the jaw, in the majority of cases, are the symptoms of anxiety. Lymph nodes of the neck increase in size and the evil only in the presence of a severe inflammatory process. To avoid radical surgical intervention is necessary when a pain syndrome immediately consult a specialist and comply with all the requirements.