What are lymph nodes?
Lymph nodes - are small bean-shaped organs that are part of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system produces cells to fight infection and acts as a filter
In humans, there are several main groups of lymph nodes: in the neck, armpits and groin. Most often, it increases the lymph nodes in the neck.
Typically, small lymph nodes, they are not only visible, but also difficult to probe.
When disease lymph nodes may increase, and inflamed. Then they hurt, they are easy to feel out and be seen. This state is called lymphadenopathy and lymphadenitis.
What are the reasons for the increase in the lymph nodes?
There are two main reasons:
- Infection. More often it are viruses that cause the common cold.
- Non-infectious causes. This can be the connective tissue tumors or disease.
As shown inflammation in the lymph nodes?
Swollen lymph nodes are increased. They can be seen. They become painful, especially when touched. Sometimes the skin around the glands may become red and hot.
Still need to be symptoms of the underlying disease that caused the inflammation. For example, a cold it can be a pain in the throat, cough or runny nose. Can increase the body temperature, sweating, or appears.
When you need to go to the doctor?
Often enlarged lymph nodes in the neck are reduced in a few days.
Contact your doctor in the following situations:
- Lymph nodes are enlarged, but there are no other symptoms;
- Lymph nodes are not reduced in two weeks;
- Lymph nodes become uneven, bumpy and hard to move;
- If for some reason reduced weight.
Remember that if a lymph node large, painful and moving, it is not so bad. Much worse, if a lymph node does not hurt, but became lumpy and lose mobility. Thus manifest metastasis of malignant tumors.
When to call an ambulance?
Call an ambulance if by enlarged lymph nodes became difficult to breathe or impossible to swallow.
What are the complications?
If the lymph nodes are increased due to a bacterial infection that is not treated, they can fester. Then they will have to be opened.
In some cases, lymph node fester can lead to blood poisoning.
Go to the doctor every time the lymph nodes in the neck increased wrong, as usual.
