Inflammation of the lymph nodes: causes and treatment
Inflammation of the lymph nodes is a serious disease that requires diagnosis and proper treatment. Therefore, in the article we will analyze the causes of inflammation in adults and children, as well as treatment methods.
Content
Causes of inflammation of the lymph nodes
Inflammation of the lymph nodes is mainly a sign of the underlying disease. The following diseases can be the reasons:
- respiratory and oral infections ( angina, mononucleosis, chickenpox, flu, otitis media, etc.);
- failure of the immune system;
- cancerous tumor of lymphatic tissue;
- damage to the lymph nodes from mechanical stress.
Rare causes for lymph node inflammation:
Lymph node disorders are usually treatable.
Symptoms of inflammation of the lymph nodes
How to determine on your own the inflammation of the lymph nodes:
- visually the nodes became visible;
- with light pressure, pain appears;
- the presence of persistent headache;
- weakness and aches throughout the body;
- high values of body temperature;
- purulent taste in the mouth;
- severe sore throat, up to shortness of breath.
If you understand that you have these symptoms, then answer the following questions:
- At what speed and by what volume did the nodes increase?
- Is the pain permanent or temporary?
- Are painful sensations inherent only when pressing on the knot?
- Soft or dense inflamed tissue?
- Does the inflammation occur in only one node or in several?
In any case, don't panic. The lymph nodes are designed to protect the body from the penetration of viruses and by their enlargement they report health problems. Therefore, you need to see a doctor, especially in cases where the pain is permanent.
The therapist will prescribe to pass a number of tests and, depending on the location of the inflamed nodes, will ask narrow specialists to go through (endocrinologist, ENT, etc.).
Treatment of inflamed lymph nodes
If inflammation occurs against the background of colds, then the lymph nodes are restored after treatment. Usually, after 2-3 weeks, everything returns to normal.
In the case of cancers, the treatment is prescribed by a doctor.
At home, to relieve the pain of nodes with ARVI, you can do the following manipulations:
- Heat salt in a frying pan and put in a rag. Apply to the area of inflammation for 10 minutes.
- A common pain reliever such as aspirin, paracetamol, ibuprofen. Remember that these medicines are also used to relieve fever. At temperatures up to 38 degrees, it is not advisable to use them, only in extreme circumstances.
- Sleep and calm atmosphere. To restore strength and speedy recovery, peace is simply necessary.
Inflamed lymph nodes in a child
Children love to explore the world and all the ways are good to explore it - licking the ground or sand, playing with someone else's toy, tasting it, etc. Therefore, at an early age, babies can often get sick.
Lymph nodes are the guardians of the immune system. The point is that if the infection begins to affect, then the lymph nodes immediately begin to inflame and by all means do not allow viruses to penetrate further.
Sometimes mothers note the capriciousness of their children and do not at all think that their child may be sick.
How to determine inflammation of the lymph nodes in a child:
- weakness and rapid fatigue;
- refusal to eat, but consumes liquid food or juices;
- temperature rise to 38 degrees and above;
- when probing the throat, protruding tubercles 1.5-2 cm high.
Any symptom should alert the mother, and if the child gets worse by the evening, then immediately call an ambulance. It is better to go to the hospital and be under the supervision of doctors, as the inflammation can be fatal - the tumor blocks the larynx and it becomes impossible to breathe.
An insidious childhood disease that certainly makes itself felt in the cervical lymph nodes is infectious mononucleosis. It is a serious viral infection that affects the liver and spleen to the point of rupture. With this disease, the lymph nodes swell to maximum limits in a matter of days, become covered with pus and intoxication of the body begins. It is difficult to determine the disease at first glance, because it disguises well as a sore throat. A skin rash on the neck and shoulders may be the only sign. The child actively begins to comb it. But in the erased form of mononucleosis, rashes may be absent.
If a cat or cat lives in the house, then it is better to protect the child from playing with this animal. Careless play can lead to scratches from the cat's claws and, as a result, the penetration of harmful bacteria into the blood.
Of course, it is impossible to protect a child from all diseases, but no one canceled preventive measures:
- Wash your hands up to your elbows as just washing your palms is not enough. Infections that are transmitted by airborne droplets settle on the skin of the hands, face, hair, etc.
- Before the beginning of the season of colds, take a course of vitamins or drugs that increase immunity. For example, anaferon, kipferon.
- Use antibacterial wet wipes when walking. Of course, there is no 100% guarantee in protection, but they fight simple viruses well.
Such simple prevention methods will help to avoid various diseases associated with inflammation of the lymph nodes.
