Swollen lymph nodes at neck

Swollen lymph nodes at neck  is one of the consequences of ordinary cold or of acute viral infection that affects  respiratory tract . Because of this, lymph nodes at neck are inflamed and increased in size. Let's consider  reasons of  swollen lymph nodes at neck and methods of their treatment.

Any respiratory bacterial infection of upper respiratory tract is accompanied by inflammation of lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are increased for a short period of time, but can cause a lot of trouble. Swollen lymph nodes vary from  small, barely noticeable size, like a pea, to a huge size, which can not be hidden - lymph nodes of egg size.

On palpation, that is, when you touch enlarged lymph nodes, one can feel pain. If lymph nodes are not  much swollen pain is not felt. Pay attention that the more intense infectious process is, the more painful and swollen lymph nodes are.

Swollen lymph nodes is a dangerous disease. That is, stone like lymph nodes can become malignant tumors. You can assess degree of danger of lymph nodes. If during disease there is a high fever, headache and constant tingling in lymph nodes at neck, you should immediately turn for medical help. Pain during swallowing is another sign of dangerous lymph nodes. The higher the temperature is, and the more discomfort there is during palpation of neck, the greater likelihood that lymph nodes are dangerous to your health.

Causes of swollen lymph nodes at neck

Reasons for swollen lymph nodes at neck are always connected with infectious bacterial disease. To know exactly how to treat enlarged lymph nodes, it is necessary to understand the causes of their appearance and inflammation.

Reasons for swollen lymph nodes at neck:

• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.
• Cancer (lymph node metastases, lymphogranulomatosis), connective tissue diseases .
• Alcohol abuse or alcoholism.
• Problems with immune system.
• Thyroid disease.
• Sore throat or acute pharyngitis.
• Fungal, bacterial, parasitic, viral infections, infectious diseases (infectious mononucleosis).
• Ear inflammation, various dental infections, inflammation of mouth and throat are also causes of swollen lymph nodes.

Swollen lymph nodes at neck may indicate about diseases close to neck organs and sexually transmitted diseases. Additionally, lymph nodes may become inflamed due to rat or cat scratches.

Symptoms of swollen lymph nodes at neck

Lymph nodes  are particles of lymphatic tissue, which is disposed in the pocket of connective tissue. Lymph nodes are located throughout entire body and lymphatic system. Lymph nodes represent a  kind of filter with lymphatic fluid. In lymph nodes defense cells, that detect and destroy cancer and bacterial cells, are stored.

Lymph nodes are very important for immune system, as they are responsible for fighting with germs, viruses and other harmful substances that enter body.

Symptoms of swollen lymph nodes at neck:

• High temperature.
• At neck there are small bumps.
• Lymph nodes become swollen, and make it hard to swallow and speak.

Symptoms of swollen neck lymph nodes usually appear due to extensive or local inflammation. But there are cases, when lymph nodes are swollen due to cancer. Swollen, inflamed lymph nodes are called lymphodenopathy.

If you've had cold, and diseases that affect upper respiratory tract, lymph nodes at neck may increase for a while, and then return to normal form. It is very dangerous if lymph node is inflamed on one side only. It can be sign of serious both infectious and non infectious diseases. Lymph nodes disease and their increase at neck, can cause increase and swelling of tonsils, salivary glands, parotid glands, thyroid gland and lacrimal glands. If you are experiencing these symptoms, you should seek for immediate medical help.

Swollen lymph nodes at the back of neck

Swollen lymph nodes at the back of neck indicate on inflammation processes in body. Thus, swelling at the back of neck could be due to cold, sore throat, tuberculosis, or to acute pharyngitis. In addition, swollen lymph nodes at the back of neck can indicate on rubella, toxoplasmosis and other viral infections.

The main symptoms of swollen lymph nodes at the back of neck:

Soft swelling, that may be painful or may not even bother,  can be felt at neck.

Swollen lymph nodes at neck, can indicate of cancer, that struck lymph nodes at neck.

The main symptom that accompanies swollen lymph nodes at neck is cold.

To avoid swollen lymph nodes at neck is not possible, because you can not protect  body from all the germs, bacteria and infections. But preventive measures will significantly reduce risk of inflammation of lymph nodes at the back of neck.

Do not neglect treatment of viral infections and bacterial diseases. Be sure to see your doctor if there is redness around the neck.

Follow basic rules of hygiene: wash your hands, eat healthy food, avoid contact with people who are carriers of diseases.

Diagnostics of swollen lymph nodes at neck

Diagnosis of swollen lymph nodes at neck begins from determining the cause. Any process in body that causes swelling of tissue is an inflammation. When inflamed,  lymph nodes  are increased in size. It is very easy to diagnose inflammatory process by enlarged lymph nodes . But sometimes, swollen lymph nodes  are not associated with inflammatory processes. Therefore, it is necessary to diagnose swollen lymph nodes in view of other features that may cause this symptom.

During a strong running swollen lymph nodes , patients complain on enduring pain at affected area . Note, if  process of swollen lymph nodes starts very quickly and rapidly, it is possible to diagnose the cause of disease. Usually, this is wound,  where germs or infection came and reached lymph nodes at neck through lymphatic channels. If it is an acute inflammation of  lymph nodes, reaction is manifested throughout the body.

• High temperature.
• Decreased appetite.
• Chills.
• General weakness and fatigue
• Headache.

If it is chronic inflammation of lymph nodes, the above mentioned symptoms and pain may be absent. Swollen lymph nodes are dangerous because they can provoke irreversible degeneration of cervical and submandibular lymph nodes.

It is very difficult to diagnose such lymph nodes because they are painless and almost not palpable. Therefore, in order to get an accurate diagnosis, you need to seek for medical help. Only  doctor will be able to determine the cause of swollen lymph nodes at neck and to prescribe appropriate treatment.

Treatment of swollen lymph nodes at neck

Treatment of lymph nodes at neck begins with procedures and methods that help to relieve pain. It is also very important to determine the cause of inflammation and swollen lymph nodes at neck. In this issue the following  doctors can help: infection disease doctor, surgeon and oncologist. In general, treatment of lymph nodes at neck involves a lot of issues. Before treating, it is necessary to find out the reason of swollen lymph nodes. It is possible to solve these problems with different methods of treatment.

Enlarged lymph nodes at neck are responsible for ear diseases, head diseases and diseases,  associated with respiratory system. Increase may be also caused by dental infections.

The best tool, that helps to fight against swollen lymph nodes at neck, is considered to be echinacea. Echinacea is a plant that has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effect on affected area. Infusion of echinacea must be diluted with boiled water. Approximate ratio of 10 drops of infusion per 100 grams of water. Infusion must be taken three times a day. Such treatment of swollen lymph nodes is most often used for cold.

Another way to cure swollen lymph nodes at neck is to make compresses and rubbing. You will need camphor oil or black ointment. Oil is used for compresses and ointment must be carefully rubbed into affected area.

Please note, that during increase of lymph nodes at neck, it is better to refuse for a while the use of creams and perfumes as this can cause further inflammation.

The easiest method to relieve pain in llymph nodes is such - take a towel, dip it into hot water, wring it out well and attach it to neck and swollen lymph nodes. Keep  compress for no longer than 15 minutes.

Daily intake of vitamin C can restore swollen lymph nodes in usual form. Eat more fruit and vegetables, drink juices, especially orange.

It is strictly forbidden to do iodine grid since it can cause even severe inflammation of swollen lymph node.

Swollen lymph nodes at neck is not a fatal diagnosis, but it is a disease that requires immediate treatment. You should not wait until disease becomes irreversible, consult your doctor and take care of your health.