Swollen lymph nodes
Lymph nodes, incorrectly called lymph glands, are part of the body’s immune system. Swollen lymph nodes may be a sign of infection.
There are several groups of lymph nodes, which are small nodular tissue in a bean shape. Those of them that swell most often are in the neck area, under the chin, under the armpits and in the groin area. There is also a large group of lymph nodes in the breast which have been found to be enlarged.
The lymphatic system is made up of nodes and vessels, covering the entire body. They carry the lymph, which joins the blood circulation through the veins. The lymph contains concentrated infectious and other foreign substances /antigens/.
Lymph nodes are small groups of cells surrounded by a capsule and lymphatic vessels enter and exit them. The cells in the lymph nodes are lymphocytes that produce antibodies /protein particles that bind to foreign substances, including infectious particles/ and macrophages that engulf cellular pathogenic debris /debris/. They act as the cleansing cells of the body.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of swollen lymph nodes depend on both the location and the cause of the enlargement.
Those affected may experience symptoms of an upper respiratory tract infection /runny nose, sore throat, high fever/ and feel that their lymph nodes under the skin around the ears, under the chin or in the upper on the neck, have become a little more sensitive.
In case of infection or reddening of the skin, the affected person notices that the lymph nodes near the heart are swollen.
Swollen lymph nodes located deep inside the body can cause different consequences than the swelling of those under the skin. Blockage of lymph flow from swelling in a deeper lymph node can cause a limb to swell.
For example, swelling of the lymph nodes in the lungs can cause a chronic cough, although the sufferer will not be able to feel by touch in this area that the lymph nodes are swollen. swollen.
Some types of infections such as fungal and parasitic infections can cause generalized swelling of the lymph nodes throughout the body.
Certain immune disorders such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis may also cause generalized lymph node enlargement.
What are the causes?
Lymph node enlargement can be done in several ways.
• Infection – the number of white blood cells increases, which multiply as a result of the action of a foreign substance /antigen/;
• Virus – the immune a reaction to a generalized infection in the body such as a viral one that can develop with a common cold.
• Inflammation – infiltration with inflammatory cells during infection or inflammation in the area of a given lymph node.
• Cancer – penetration of malignant cells into the lymph node through the lymph fluid in some types of cancer.
• Blood Cancer – uncontrolled malignant, increase in number of lymphocytes as in lymphoma or lyfkemia.
Swollen lymph nodes treatment
If a person has symptoms of a cold or other mild infection that does not require antibiotics, it takes about 2 weeks for the nodes to return to their normal size and no specific treatment is required.
If the nodules are small, less than 2 cm and are in the groin area or under the chin and you are between the ages of 20 and 30, this is considered normal.
In children, the lymphatic system is more active and therefore enlargement of the lymph nodes is common in them.
