Treat lymph nodes in the neck. Causes of inflammation of the lymph nodes in the neck: symptoms, diagnosis, treatment measures

Despite the common stereotype that swollen lymph nodes are a sign of a serious illness, their increase does not at all mean an early death. Why do lymph nodes become inflamed and how to treat them?

Lymph nodes are a collection of many lymphatic vessels in one place, through which lymph circulates in the body. This fluid contains red blood cells and lymphocytes, and its job is to remove toxins, dead blood cells, viruses and other unnecessary substances from the cells of the body.

Thus, the lymph nodes have become a kind of filtering stations of the body, where not only lymphocytes are produced, but also viruses and bacteria are destroyed.

You can find them on the neck, groin and armpits. The cervical glands are divided according to their location into:

chin;
anterior cervical;
ear;
posterior cervical;
submandibular;
occipital.

Cervical lymph nodes are the size of beans. When a person is healthy, they are soft and when you press them there is no pain, and with inflammation, swelling and pain appear.

Lymph nodes are an important part of the entire lymphatic system, and that in turn is an immune system. As soon as the virus enters the bloodstream, the lymph carries it through the vessels to the nodes, which signal the immune system that there is a threat to health and it begins its work. It is difficult to underestimate the role of these glands in the body.

Causes of inflammation of the cervical lymph nodes

Inflammation of the cervical lymph nodes has its own name - cervical lymphadenitis (inflammation of the lymph) and can become an independent disease or a symptom of another disease. Lymph nodes inflame simultaneously everywhere with lymphadenitis, but with small infections, only some of them most often swell.

Usually, their inflammation indicates an infection that entered the body from the nasopharynx, moreover, by inflammation of a certain node, you can determine the specific site of infection:

Why can the lymph nodes in the neck be inflamed? The causes of cervical lymphadenitis can be various factors:

If the lymph nodes begin to swell and other painful symptoms appear, you should urgently consult a doctor, as the body begins to signal that it has problems.

Symptoms of inflammation

Sometimes lymph nodes can swell without additional symptoms. This usually occurs immediately after a long illness of the upper respiratory tract, when the immune system is still weakened and reacts to any suspicious cell.

If the alarm was false, then they just as quickly return to their previous form. But in cases of the onset of an infectious or any other disease, inflammation of the glands is accompanied by the following symptoms:

body temperature rises sharply;
the glands swell, become hard and painful;
there is a sore throat when swallowing;
chills;
loss of appetite;
redness of the skin in the area of the glands;
general weakness and apathy;
headache.

With a respiratory or other disease, its symptoms become predominant, and inflammation of the lymph nodes becomes just one of them. With prolonged inflammation without additional symptoms, you should immediately go to the hospital, as this may indicate a cancerous disease.

Who to contact for help with inflammation of the lymph nodes?

Sometimes people have a dilemma about which doctor to turn to for help with lymphadenitis. After all, it can be treated by a therapist, a surgeon, and an immunologist. So, what kind of doctor treats lymph nodes in the neck?

A visit to the hospital should begin with a visit to a personal therapist, it is this doctor who performs the initial examination, sends for additional tests, identifies additional symptoms and can make a preliminary diagnosis.

After that, depending on the causes of the disease, the patient is referred to a more specific specialist: a dentist, surgeon, immunologist, ENT or oncologist. It is not worth making diagnoses on your own and going to a highly specialized doctor without a preliminary diagnosis.

How to treat swollen lymph nodes in the neck in an adult

ultra-high-frequency therapy (UHF-therapy), which affects the body with electromagnetic fields at ultra-high frequencies;
surgical intervention for purulent inflammation;
medical treatment.

Anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics are commonly prescribed as medications to stimulate the immune system and help the body fight infection:

"Prednisolone";
"Sifloks";
"Septrin";
"Amoxilav".

When prescribing antibiotics, multivitamins and drugs that relieve the hepatic load must be additionally prescribed. Additionally, medications may be prescribed that will treat the immediate cause of the inflammation and infection. Therefore, self-medication is neither safe nor effective.

How to treat inflammation of the lymph nodes in the neck with folk remedies

Along with the prescribed medications and physiotherapy, traditional medicine can also be used to help the body cope with the infection. For this you can:

drink herbal tinctures: lavender, blueberries, currants, raspberries, elderberries and wormwood;
use a decoction of chicory, tincture of echinacea;
make compresses from celandine or just a towel soaked in warm water;
take vitamin C;
drink a decoction of walnut leaves or add it to the water when bathing;
make mint lotions on the lymph nodes;
smear painful places with ichthyol ointment, camphor oil or Vishnevsky ointment;
consume more vitamins;
drink plenty of warm drink with honey and lemon.

Before using any traditional medicine or taking antibiotics, you should visit a doctor and find out the exact cause of the inflammation.

Lymph nodes on the neck of a child hurt - how to treat?

In children, cervical lymph nodes become inflamed much more often, especially at the age of 5-7 years, when the lymphatic system is still being formed. They have much weaker immunity than adults, and they are more susceptible to risk factors (hypothermia, drafts, etc.).

If you do not provide proper treatment on time, then lymphadenitis can become chronic and cause a lot of inconvenience.

Since resistance to painful viruses depends on immunity, it must be strengthened from an early age. Regular examination of children by a doctor can reveal adenoids, carious teeth, tonsillitis and other diseases in the early stages.

Often the glands swell in response to vaccination, and in this case, the supervision of a pediatrician is sufficient. Since another cause of lymphadenitis can be an allergy, it is worth checking the child for susceptibility to various foods, household chemicals and other possible allergens.

Examination and timely treatment in such cases will help strengthen protection.

If a child has an inflamed lymph node, it is strictly prohibited:

warm it up;
constantly palpate;
be nervous for no reason.

It is necessary to contact a pediatrician as soon as possible, who will be able to identify the cause and prescribe appropriate treatment.

It is worth noting that sometimes, slightly enlarged lymph nodes are not a symptom or a disease, but a physiological feature of the baby.

What not to do with lymphadenitis

The cervical lymph nodes are located close to the brain and, if not properly treated or left untreated, can lead to serious complications (meningitis and other serious diseases). Launched lymphadenitis can develop into sepsis if the infection enters the bloodstream. Therefore, it is strictly prohibited:

rub knots;
warm them up;
make iodine nets;
sunbathe.

Consequences of untimely treatment of lymph nodes

In case of improper treatment, self-medication and untimely treatment, serious complications of lymphadenitis can occur:

Abscess - the formation of pus, its accumulation and distribution. In this case, surgery is most often required - the surgeon opens the lymph node, cleans it and sews it up. If the pus is not removed on time, the disease can be fatal;
Blood infection - infected cells enter the bloodstream and spread throughout the body. Foci of inflammation begin to appear everywhere and lead to sepsis, which can lead to death. If the blood is already infected, the patient will need urgent hospitalization and intravenous antibiotics;
Meningitis - due to the proximity of the cervical lymph nodes, inflammation from them can very quickly go up and cause inflammation of the cerebral cortex. As a result, coordination of movement may be disturbed, problems with vision and hearing will appear. At an early age, meningitis leads to irreparable consequences, including deafness and impaired mental and physical development of the child.

Preventive measures

There is no definite prevention of cervical lymphadenitis, since this is a disease that develops for many reasons and it will not work to pay attention to any one area.

But the general prevention of the immune system and a healthy lifestyle can prevent the ingress and development of infectious diseases, and as a result, inflammation of the lymph glands.

Prevention will be:

taking care of the immune system;
timely treatment of acute infectious diseases and their prevention;
avoiding drafts and hypothermia;
regular hardening of the body;
be careful and avoid the appearance of microtraumas;
take care of open wounds and prevent infection from entering the wounds;
take care of personal hygiene.

It is always much easier to take care of the body and get treated in time than to stop the serious consequences caused by inattention and frivolity later.

Some more additional information about the lymph nodes inflamed in the neck is in the next video.

Therefore, if you find a massive inflammation of the lymph nodes, do not hesitate, contact your doctor immediately. Treating yourself is a dangerous undertaking, since you, not being a specialist, can harm yourself or lose sight of a more serious disease.

If you have had an infection and noticed a single inflamed one in recovery, do not rush the method of treatment, this is a phenomenon, since the body completes the fight against the infection, in which the lymph nodes are directly involved, which means that after a while this lymph node will return to normal on its own.

Inflammation or lymphadenitis is usually accompanied by their increase. Lymphadenitis is accompanied by an increase in the lymph node, painful sensations, not infrequently, fever, headache, weakness, suppuration (purulent lymphadenitis) may even occur. Treatment of lymphadenitis, first of all, is aimed at eliminating the causes of inflammation; for this, a number of fees that have an anti-inflammatory effect are used. To prepare the above fees, it is necessary to grind the components, mix, 2 tbsp. Pour 1 liter of boiling water over the resulting boldness, insist overnight in a thermos, strain and squeeze, drink the infusion during the day for 1.5 - 2 months.

With purulent lymphadenitis, surgical intervention and direct removal of the festering node may become necessary.

In order for the lymph nodes in the neck, you can do the following:

If the inflammation was the result of a cold, you can use homeopathic remedies according to the doctor's indications.

For infectious diseases as prescribed by a doctor.

You can use pine, spruce or fir, chicory decoction (20 g to 200 ml of boiling water), echinacea tincture (10 drops of tincture to 1 tbsp of water), blueberry tincture (5 g of blueberries pour 200 ml of boiling water, use 2 tbsp. .3 times / d.).

You can also use a celandine compress: grind the celandine, squeeze out the juice, add alcohol (1 tbsp juice to 1 tbsp alcohol).

Use C (250 mg, for acute diseases 500 mg).

A decoction of walnut leaves (boil in a tightly closed container), add when bathing in the bathroom.

Use "Mint" lotions.

You can lubricate the inflamed node with ichthyol ointment, Vishnevsky ointment or camphor oil.

It can be like physical therapy.

Treatment of lymphadenitis

Pathogens include pyogenic microorganisms that penetrate into the lymph nodes from the foci of chronic or acute purulent inflammation with blood flow, lymph or by direct contact. There are purulent and non-purulent, specific and non-specific, acute and chronic lymphadenitis. When melted, an extensive focus of suppuration in the soft tissues, which is called adenophlegmon, may appear.

Treatment of lymphadenitis requires a mandatory medical examination. You can not delay the visit to the doctor, because as a result, the state of health will worsen and the risk of the disease turning into a purulent form will increase. The initial forms of acute nonspecific lymphadenitis are treated with conservative methods. The patient is prescribed rest, UHF therapy, active therapy of the main focus of infection is carried out, which includes the opening of phlegmon, abscesses, and drainage of the abscess. Antibiotic therapy is also carried out. Purulent forms of nonspecific lymphadenitis are treated with an operative method. Chronic nonspecific lymphadenitis is treated by eliminating the underlying disease, which is the source of the infection.

Features of the treatment of certain types of lymphadenitis

With lymphadenitis of the cervical nodes formed after tonsillitis, acute respiratory infections, anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed. If lymphadenitis has passed into a purulent form, the patient is prescribed antibiotics, anti-inflammatory external agents, multivitamins, and physiotherapy is prescribed. The patient is advised to avoid hypothermia, it is necessary to drink plenty of water. If suppuration on the lymph nodes, surgical intervention is performed, during which an abscess is opened and the pus accumulated there is removed.

For the treatment of lymphadenitis, Burov's liquid, Penicillin, is used. With suppuration, warm lotions and heating with sollux are prescribed. If inflammation is present in a whole group of lymph nodes, an operation is performed, during which a drainage tube is inserted through the submandibular incision for pus. Patients with inguinal lymphadenitis are advised to limit walking and physical activity, they are prescribed antibiotics with a wide spectrum of action. In the form, an opening and drainage of the focus of suppuration is performed. With lymphadenitis, the infection that caused this disease is eliminated, as a rule, antibiotics are used for this purpose. After that, the patient is prescribed physiotherapy sessions, cold compresses and general strengthening exercises. The purulent form of axillary lymphadenitis requires surgical intervention.

Treatment of specific lymphadenitis is prescribed taking into account the nature of the lesion of the lymph nodes and the severity of tuberculous changes in other organs. In the case of an active process, first-line drugs are used - Streptomycin, Tubazid in combination with Prothionamide, Ethambutol. Treatment lasts from 8 to 15 months. Streptomycin is injected into the affected lymph node, and bandages are applied with tibon, tubazid ointment. With a purulent process, the patient is prescribed antibiotics.

Lymph nodes in the neck are one of the main components of the human immune system, the purpose of which is to fight various types of infection. This is a kind of filter that passes through itself, and then removes viruses and bacteria from the body. An increase in the lymph nodes in the neck may indicate that a large number of blood cells (white) have accumulated in them. As a rule, this pathology occurs with an infectious disease of a nearby organ.

Lymph nodes in the neck are inflamed - what is the reason?

The appearance of this pathology may be due to the following factors:

Oncological diseases (thyroid or breast cancer, etc.).
Acute pharyngitis, tonsillitis and other diseases.
The presence of HIV infection.
Allergic predisposition to drugs and other irritants.
The development of lymphadenitis - an inflammatory process in the node itself, associated with weakened immunity.
Abuse of alcoholic products.
Dysfunction of the thyroid gland.
Diseases of the oral cavity (cancer of the larynx, inflammation of the gums, etc.).
Fungal and bacterial skin diseases.

Symptoms of lymphadenitis

The main sign of the appearance of this disease is an increase in the volume of the lymph nodes in the neck, as well as their soreness. If suppuration occurs, then intoxication of the body may develop, which will be accompanied by weakness, headache, loss of appetite and even fever. In some cases, this inflammation can resemble a common cold. The appearance of severe swelling of the neck is an alarm signal indicating the spread of pus. This situation requires urgent surgical intervention.

Diagnostics

Such a diagnosis as lymphadenitis can only be made by a doctor during a visual examination of the patient, palpation of the inflamed area, and also after the patient has undergone some clinical and laboratory studies, which include the following actions without fail:

X-ray of the submandibular zone and jaw.
Biopsy of affected lymph nodes.
Magnetic resonance and computed tomography.
Histological analysis of lymph node tissues.

Lymph nodes in the neck: treatment

The first thing to do to get rid of this pathology is to identify its cause. Only after that the doctor will be able to prescribe the necessary therapy. If the lymph nodes in the neck become inflamed as a result of exposure to a bacterial infection, a course of antibiotics is prescribed. UHF therapy may also be needed, especially for cancer patients. If suppuration of the lymph node occurs, then surgical intervention is indicated. To restore immunity, vitamin and immunostimulating drugs are prescribed.

Prevention

To reduce the risk of inflammation of the lymph nodes, you should follow some rules:

Wash your hands regularly and avoid contact with sick people.
Reduce the amount of foods high in saturated fats.
Treat all viral and bacterial infections promptly.

". Enlarged lymph nodes? It means there is cancer somewhere in the body.” "A lump in the neck necessarily means swelling." If you share such misconceptions, of course, it can be frightening if one day you feel a seal on your neck or feel how “something interferes”, causes discomfort and pain. But even more dangerous are the misconceptions from the series: the lymph nodes become inflamed due to any "sneeze", it will go away on its own. Isn't it better to have objective information?

Why are the nodes on the neck enlarged

People without medical education know much less about the lymphatic system than, for example, about the circulatory system. Not everyone knows that lymph is formed from the intercellular fluid, therefore it is part of the internal environment of the body. Tonsils, follicles, spleen are also part of the lymphatic system. Lymph nodes are filters for lymph coming from organs and parts of the body.

Why are they growing in size? There are over 100 diseases that can affect the lymphatic system. in nine out of ten cases - infectious diseases. If the doctor confirms that there are no reasons for excitement, warm compresses on the neck will be enough (but it is dangerous to treat it on your own, because the cause may be, for example, suppuration).

In older people, the most common cause is tumors, including benign ones. In general, the lymph reacts to any “invasion” into the body: if the fight against bacteria or viruses does not bring positive results, the lymph nodes increase. The filters, one might say, are overfilled and overstressed, as they try to remove the by-products of the infection activity from the body.

If the enlarged node also hurts, most likely, it is a question of an inflammation. If the lump is painless, tumor may be suspected.

The lymph node hurts, but is it the only one that has increased? Most often, the cause must be sought local. For example, after scratching an animal, a cat scratch disease developed, the throat or lungs were affected (tuberculosis), the oral cavity (there is a bad tooth, a wisdom tooth erupts, etc.), facial tissues (furuncle, abscess due to an incorrectly extruded eel or pimple).

If several lymph nodes in the neck have increased at once or, in addition to the cervical, they have changed sizes on other frequent bodies, it is necessary to consult a doctor especially quickly: this is a sign of a viral or bacterial infection that has engulfed the entire body, and can also be a symptom of blood cancer.

If the skin over the swollen lymph node turns red, Most likely, it's about suppuration. In acute cases, pus can break through and spread to surrounding tissues, then urgent surgical intervention is required.

How to recognize enlarged lymph nodes in the neck

Many patients know only about the lymph nodes that are located "where the jaw ends" (at the corner of the jaw) - tonsillar lymph nodes. There are also submental and submandibular "filters" on the neck. Strictly speaking, superficial cervical, deep cervical and posterior cervical lymph nodes are also located on the neck - on its back surface or in depth (along the spinal nerves), so we usually do not see them.

Submandibular lymph nodes (there are about 10 of them and normally they are no more than 5 mm) are difficult to feel on their own. But you can ask loved ones under the chin to feel the soft tissues of the submandibular region. It is correct to make a movement to the edge of the jaw, as if scooping up tissue. Lymph nodes are pressed against the jaw and you can feel them sliding with your fingers.

Submental lymph nodes are located from the hyoid bone to the edge of the jaw. If they are normal, the person is not sick, it is unrealistic to feel them. However, lymph nodes up to 1 cm in size can be a variant of the norm if they have always been like this in humans. If your fingers grope for a “pea” of 2 cm or more, you should consult a doctor.

Sometimes the passion for the lymph nodes is clearly expressed, you can see the "bump". More often, lymph node entrainment can be seen by noticing that one side of the neck looks more swollen than the other.

What symptoms may accompany an increase in lymph nodes in the neck

Fatigue
Stiff neck
Temperature rise to 37.0-38.0
Runny nose, sore throat, and other signs of an upper respiratory infection
night sweats
Migraine
Pain when swallowing food or liquids.

What can be confused with enlarged nodes on the neck

Lymph nodes are easily confused with salivary glands, muscles, cysts (bumps filled with fluid, most often congenital or enlarged after trauma to the tissues of the neck). Cysts in the elderly should be monitored with ultrasound, as in rare cases they can degenerate into a malignant neoplasm.

See your doctor if your swollen lymph nodes:

Appeared for no apparent reason
Continue to increase for two weeks
Solid, don't move when you press them
Accompanied by persistent fever, night sweats, or unexplained weight loss
Having difficulty swallowing or breathing.

Examinations for enlarged nodes in the neck

In order to make a diagnosis, the doctor will examine and palpate (palpate) the lymph nodes, determining not only their density and size, but also their temperature and texture. The following tests may also be needed:

Blood tests. A complete blood count can help detect a range of diseases, including infections and leukemia. In addition, a specific blood test can be done to confirm or exclude a particular infection (herpes, tuberculosis, rubella, measles, HIV, syphilis, etc.).
Ultrasound of the lymph node. Helps to determine the nature of the swelling, for example, to distinguish between a cyst, a tumor, inflammation.
Biopsy of the lymph node. A tissue sample from a lymph node is subjected to microscopic examination in cases where oncology is suspected.
chest x-ray can help identify potential sources of infection or find a tumor. Sometimes the lymph nodes in the neck react to the processes taking place "next door" - in the chest.

Diseases that cause swollen lymph nodes in the neck

Lymph nodes can make themselves felt if a person has:

Infection:

(especially in children);
angina (especially in children);
diseases of the oral cavity;
infectious mononucleosis (inflammation of the lymph nodes is one of the main signs of this disease, which resembles a sore throat in children);
tuberculosis (if the disease begins to spread beyond the lungs, the first signal of this is an increase in the lymph nodes in the neck);
other respiratory diseases;
diseases of the nasopharynx;
otitis;

Such specific infectious diseases as.

Lymph nodes are a barrier that prevents pathogens and bacteria from spreading throughout the body. As a result, if any disease of an infectious nature occurs, it will certainly affect the condition of the lymph nodes, and they will become inflamed. Therefore, doctors can determine that a person is sick, just by feeling his neck. At the same time, inflammation of the lymph nodes must be taken very seriously. After all, often such a symptom is alarming and signals a serious problem.

Red lymph nodes in the neck

Lymph nodes are small round or oval formations from half to 50 mm in diameter. Their special location - next to the lymphatic and blood vessels - contributes to the fact that the lymph nodes become a formidable barrier to infections and cancer cells. Especially often, doctors try to probe the cervical lymph nodes and determine if there is an infection in the body.

Enlarged lymph nodes can be a symptom of what diseases

If the lymph nodes are soft at the time of inflammation, this in most cases means that the infection has reached them, but then the body fights and tries to destroy the pathogenic mycobes. In those cases, when the lymph nodes become hard, doctors understand that the body cannot cope and inflammation begins, which is called lymphadenitis. Often it is accompanied by purulent inflammation, fever, pain, etc.

If you realize that you have lymphadenitis, you should immediately consult a doctor. It is strictly forbidden to use various folk methods such as rubbing, massage or heating in this case.

First of all, the doctor will palpate the affected neck. So he can determine the degree of increase in nodes and the size of the disaster. Then, based on the results of the examination, other studies are usually prescribed in order to obtain an accurate diagnosis.

Since the lymph nodes in the neck are in close proximity to the oral strip, their inflammation is often associated with many diseases of the nasopharynx and mouth - caries, sinusitis, sinusitis, tonsillitis, tonsillitis, etc. This is due to the fact that in this situation the infection is as close as possible to the lymphatic system of the neck.

2. Allergy - a disease caused by a special sensitivity to certain things. Accompanying symptoms may be a runny nose, sneezing, coughing, cramps and pain in the eyes, swelling of the tissues.

3. Angina. Inflammation of the lymph nodes begins in response to inflammation of the palatine tonsils. It is usually accompanied by sore throat (especially when swallowing), perspiration and dryness in the throat, fever, and in some cases the appearance of a plaque on the tonsils (in this case they speak of purulent tonsillitis).

4. ARVI is the most common cause of inflammation of the lymph nodes in the neck. Moreover, with this disease, several groups of nodes can easily increase at once, which causes a certain discomfort to a person. Concomitant symptoms may be cough, nasal congestion, headache, vomiting, general weakness.

5. Lymphangitis - inflammation of the lymphatic vessels themselves. Usually appears in response to ingestion of streptococci and staphylococci. Other symptoms that usually indicate that this is lymphangitis are narrow red stripes on the skin, a feeling of chills, swelling, and weakness.

This disease is especially dangerous for women in position

This is due to the fact that Toxoplasma is not only transmitted to the child, but also leads to the occurrence of pathologies in the child, and the nervous system, eyes, and other organs suffer. Also, often pregnancy can result in a miscarriage or premature birth. Additional symptoms in this situation are fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, convulsions, as well as an increase in the liver and spleen and a general decrease in the body's efficiency.

As for specific lymphadenitis, it is a signal of a more formidable disease, the treatment of which may be long and difficult. So, inflammation of the lymph nodes can signal HIV or even AIDS. This is due to the fact that with such a disease, the entire immune system and the lymphatic system, as part of it, are affected. Often several groups of lymph nodes become inflamed at once. Other symptoms associated with this disease include elevated body temperature, the inability of the body to resist diseases, ulcers of the oral mucosa, etc.

Another disease indicated by damaged lymph nodes is lupus erythematosus. The disease is autoimmune and very serious. Its essence is that the immune system goes astray and begins to attack healthy cells. Usually accompanied by the appearance of a red rash, especially on the cheeks and bridge of the nose, general weakness of the body, as well as manifestations of muscle pain.