Lymph nodes on the neck swelled: possible causes, symptoms and characteristics of treatment

Acute catarrhal diseases occur several times a year for almost every person. Also, a large group of the population suffers from chronic infectious pathologies. These include tonsillitis, pharyngitis, tracheitis, otitis, etc. These people periodically encounter the fact that the lymph nodes swell behind the ear, around the neck, etc. Indeed, their inflammation often accompanies the diseases of the upper respiratory tract and tonsils. Nevertheless, there are still many pathologies in which patients complain of swollen lymph nodes on the neck or behind the ears. 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: swelling, a lymph node on the neck. This symptom can talk about different pathologies. The most common causes are inflammation and swelling of 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 passes after the elimination of the underlying disease. If this syndrome is not associated with inflammatory processes in the throat, then the patient is obliged to be urgently examined. In this case, the complaint may be that the patient has swollen lymph nodes on the neck. Hypertrophy can be either one- or two-sided. This symptom can be observed with various lymphomas, as well as Hodgkin's disease. Similar pathologies are related to oncological processes and require special treatment.

The child has swollen lymph nodes in the neck: the causes

The increase in lymph nodes in childhood is more common than in adults. This is because of the reactivity of the baby's body. 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 around the neck is often found in pediatric practice. As in adults, several pathological conditions may serve as an excuse for developing this symptom. Among them:

1. Inflammation of palatine tonsils. This reason refers to the most common etiologic factors. In this case, the patient (or the parents of a small patient) can complain that the right lymph node on the neck is swollen, or, on the contrary, the left one. The place of defeat coincides with the side on which the inflamed tonsil is.
2. Lymphadenitis. It occurs a little less often. It belongs to the independent diseases of the lymph nodes and also has an inflammatory character. At the same time, there is no primary 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.
3. Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas are a cancerous degeneration of tissue. Unfortunately, such tumors are found in children. They are classified as dangerous oncological pathologies that quickly lead to the appearance of metastases.
4. Hodgkin's disease. This pathology is also included in the group of cancerous processes. May occur in both children and adults. The prognosis for this disease is often favorable.
5. Oncological processes localized in the neck. Less often a symptom can cause a cancerous lesion in the oral cavity.

Also, among the reasons that swollen lymph nodes on the neck or in other areas, there are metabolic and thyroid disorders. In addition, hypertrophy can occur with chronic alcoholism, allergic reactions.

The mechanism of lymphadenopathy

The pathogenesis of enlarged lymph nodes depends on what caused hypertrophy. With inflammatory lesions, the trigger factor is the penetration of the infection into the body. Usually it happens by airborne droplets. Bacteria, hitting the mucous membrane of the oral cavity, settle on the tonsils and multiply. Some of them penetrate into the lymphatic vessels and reach the nodes. Reproduction of bacteria leads to activation of the immune system. The interaction of microorganisms and macrophages causes an inflammatory reaction, which refers to the mechanisms of body defense. It is manifested by the fact that the lymph nodes hypertrophy and become painful.

In cancer pathologies, the mechanism of action is different. It consists in the fact that the normal cells of the lymphatic system become atypical and start to multiply intensively. This may be preceded by factors such as ionizing radiation, chemical effects, bad habits.

Symptoms with enlarged lymph nodes

Often patients turn to the doctor with complaints that the throat hurts, swollen lymph nodes on the neck. Such symptoms usually accompany catarrhal pathologies. If the hypertrophy of the lymph nodes is caused by an inflammatory reaction, then the following signs are distinguished:

1. Pain in the palpation of the neck, behind the ears. It can be accompanied by unpleasant sensations in the throat, difficulty swallowing.
2. Hypertrophy (increase) of the lymph node. Its size can be different (from the size of peas to walnuts and even chicken eggs).
3. Hyperemia - redness over the area of swelling.
4. Raise body temperature.
5. General weakness, loss of appetite, muscle pain.
6. Cough, hyperemia of the throat, enlarged palatine tonsils.

If the tumor of lymph nodes is caused by oncological pathology, then the symptoms differ from colds. They depend on the location of cancer.

Diagnosis with swollen lymph nodes

With lymphadenopathy it is necessary to conduct a thorough diagnosis and find out the cause of its appearance. Especially serious should be treated in cases where hypertrophy is not accompanied by catarrhal pathologies. Firstly, palpation of lymph nodes not only on the neck, but in all other areas. Assess their consistency and size, shape, soreness. Also pay attention to the skin over the enlarged knot. If there is no infection of the upper respiratory tract and throat, as well as symptoms of lymphadenitis, ultrasound should be done. In some cases, it is not enough to establish a diagnosis. If there is a suspicion of cancer (lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease), a node biopsy is performed with a puncture needle. After this, a histological study is needed to establish the cellular composition.

Differential diagnosis of lymphadenopathy

In the case of enlarged lymph nodes, differential diagnosis is very important. This symptom can accompany many different diseases. Among them:

1. Inflammatory pathologies. They have the most favorable forecast. The nature of the inflammation can be determined by the consistency of the nodes. If they are dense to the touch, then to eliminate hypertrophy, drug therapy is sufficient. Soft lymph nodes mean that the tissue has undergone purulent fusion. In this case, surgical care is needed.
2. 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).
3. Tuberculosis. If this pathology is suspected, a Mantoux test and sputum analysis should be performed.
4. Oncological diseases. They can have any localization. With lymphomas, one node is most often affected. With cancer of the neck, mouth, the location of hypertrophy depends on the location of the tumor. Hodgkin's disease covers several groups of lymph nodes.
5. Primary and secondary immunodeficiency states.

Lymph nodes on the neck swelled: what to do?

Proceeding from the seriousness of the problem and taking into account the possible consequences, one should know that an increase in the lymph nodes on the neck is always a reason for contacting the polyclinic. Even with a suspicion of the inflammatory nature of hypertrophy, one should not engage in independent treatment. First of all, you need to consult a therapist for medical help. If necessary, he can refer to other specialists. Among them may be the following doctors: surgeon, phthisiatrist, infectious disease specialist, oncologist. Do not be afraid of consulting specialists, because the direction to them does not always mean a serious pathology. In some cases, their opinion is necessary to exclude the diagnosis.

Folk remedies with enlarged lymph nodes

To treat a swollen lymph node on the neck with folk methods is undesirable. This is due not only to the fact that the cause of its hypertrophy can not be established independently, but also with possible complications. For example, warming the inflamed node can lead to its suppuration and a breakthrough in the surrounding tissue. Nevertheless, there are several national 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 should be taken 1 tablespoon per day. Broths of mint or chamomile will help to remove the inflammation in the throat and get rid of lymphadenitis more quickly. To eat them costs 3-4 times during the day.

Medicamentous treatment of lymphadenopathy

Medicamental therapy is prescribed for the inflammatory nature of the disease. It is recommended to take antibacterial drugs "Amoxicillin", "Cefuroxime", etc., if lymphadenitis is accompanied by purulent sore throat. Also, physiotherapeutic treatment (UHF) is used. When purulent inflammation of the lymph node requires surgical intervention (opening and draining the pathological focus). With cancer, surgery, radiation and chemotherapy are necessary.

Methods of prevention of lymphadenopathy

For the prevention of hypertrophy of lymph nodes it is necessary to treat inflammatory diseases of the throat, gums and teeth in a timely manner. Also, it is important to avoid hypothermia and to carry out vitamin therapy. If the lymph nodes are re-enlarged after surgery, it is necessary to consult a doctor immediately.