The enlargement of the lymph nodes speaks of a disadvantage in the area for which they "respond". In most cases, this phenomenon is associated with infectious processes, less often with cancer.
How to determine the increase in lymph nodes?
Lymph nodes are located along the lymphatic vessels, near large blood vessels. Namely, they are located in the elbow and knee folds, in the armpits, in the groin, as well as in the neck, sternum and abdominal cavity.
The normal size of the lymph node depends on its location, as well as the individual characteristics of the human body, but often does not exceed 1 cm. Most healthy lymph nodes are not probed at all. Normally, palpation lymph nodes have a dense elastic consistency, mobile and painless.
In a pathological condition, the lymph nodes can reach the value of beans, and sometimes more, for example, the size of quail eggs. In some cases, they become bumpy, and in chronic processes they can be combined into one conglomerate, soldering to nearby tissues. At the initial stages of the infectious-inflammatory or tumor process in the body, the general state of a person may not change. This is because at this stage lymph nodes cope with their functions, but work more actively.
With the progression of the disease, as a rule, the skin over the enlarged lymph nodes undergoes pathological changes. Namely, redness, swelling, and also soreness are observed. Lymph node at the same time becomes firm and motionless, there may be symptoms such as weakness, fever, headache, intense sweating.
Causes of enlarged cervical lymph nodes
The most likely causes of enlarged lymph nodes in the neck are:
- infectious diseases localized in the head and neck (angina, sinusitis, caries, pharyngitis, otitis, etc.);
- viral, parasitic, fungal and bacterial infections localized in other parts of the body (tularemia, brucellosis, tuberculosis, cat scratch disease, infectious mononucleosis, etc.);
- human immunodeficiency virus (especially if there is an increase in lymph nodes all over the body);
- tumor processes in the neck and head, as well as metastases from neoplasms in other organs;
- alcohol abuse, chronic alcoholism;
- Thyroid gland diseases;
- allergic reactions, insect bites, etc.
Causes of parotid lymph nodes
Lymph nodes located near the ears, most often increase due to such factors:
- throat and larynx;
- furuncles on the scalp;
- herpes infection;
- inflammation of the maxillary sinuses;
- inflammatory processes in the ear;
- allergic reactions, etc.
Enlargement of lymph nodes in oncology
Malignant tumor can develop directly in the lymph node, for example, with lymphogranulomatosis - a disease affecting the diaphragmatic lymph nodes and internal organs. Also, an increase in various groups of lymph nodes can occur with cancer metastases.
In malignant diseases of the blood (leukemia), the lymph nodes are painless, not soldered to the skin. However, in some cases, the lymph nodes form immobile conglomerates. The late stages of cancer can be indicated by an increase in the lymph nodes of the abdominal cavity.
Treatment with enlarged lymph nodes
When an enlarged lymph node is detected, it is required to identify a possible site of infection and to perform its sanation. In addition, activities aimed at strengthening the defenses of the body are being appointed. In tumorous processes, surgery, radiation and chemotherapy can be recommended.