“I have swollen glands.” This phrase is very common to hear, and is usually accompanied by a self-check on both sides of the neck and at the bottom of the jaw.
This is an inflammation that is benign in most cases, but sometimes it may indicate the presence of some serious pathology. In this article we are going to explore lymphadenopathy or swollen nodes, its causes and the most relevant warning symptoms.
Lymph nodes or nodes are a series of structures through which lymph circulates. They are responsible for filtering this substance, so that They prevent bacteria or viruses from spreading through the lymphatic system to later integrate it into the blood vessels.
The lymphatic system can be considered part of the immune system , since another of the great functions of lymph nodes is to contain lymphocytes that fight infections and the entry of pathogenic elements into the body. Thus, they are very relevant by contributing to the immune activity of the body, but they also have relevant functions by absorbing nutrients from the digestive system into the lymph and subsequently directing them to the veins and maintaining a balance in the interstitial fluid level.
These nodes are distributed in a chain throughout the body, with some of the areas best known to the majority of the population being those of the neck (below the chin, on both sides), armpits and groin. Also in the abdomen or the chest. But lymph nodes can become infected and inflamed for some reason
Sometimes the nodes can suffer from some type of anomaly that causes them to become inflamed. This alteration is called lymphadenopathy, and it can appear in a single lymph node or in a chain or spread to the entire system.
Inflammation of the lymph nodes usually generates harmful and annoying symptoms. Specifically, it usually appears in addition to the bulging of the lymph node itself. the presence of a sensation of heat, redness and increased sensitivity in the area Likewise, fever, weight loss, sweating and pain in the area where the swollen lymph node or lymph nodes are located are very common. It is also common for appetite to be reduced and fatigue and respiratory disorders to appear.
Most people have suffered at some point in their lives from some type of lymphadenopathy for one reason or another: it is a phenomenon that can occur at any age and under any condition, but is usually especially common in childhood. Having swollen glands It is not a disorder or disease in itself but rather it is a symptom of the existence of an infection or problem of some kind.
Possible causes of inflammation
In general, the vast majority of people with swollen lymph nodes have them due to the presence of mild alterations, generally due to a viral or bacterial infection.
Some common causes are the presence of infections such as the flu, pharyngitis or tonsillitis Some diseases in which it also appears are chickenpox and measles, mononucleosis or rubella. Sometimes the inflammation remains for a time even when the subject has already finished rejecting a previous infection.
Another possible cause of having swollen glands can be found in the lack of adequate and complete nutrition, as well as lack of rest and high stress. It may also appear as side effect of taking certain medications
However, not all causes of swollen glands are always so relatively mild. And it is also Lymphadenopathy appears in diseases as serious as cancer (for example lymphoma or breast, lung or testicular cancer), malaria, lupus or venereal diseases such as HIV infection (in AIDS) or syphilis. Likewise, diseases such as the bubonic plague also caused this inflammation.
Should I be worried? Warning symptoms
Although, as we have said previously, lymphadenopathy usually has causes that are not very serious and tend to disappear easily, the truth is that they can also be a symptom of a serious health problem that could even be putting our lives in danger.
This is why it is always advisable to go to the doctor the moment lymphadenopathy appears. to ascertain its causes and receive treatment although we consider that the cause may be slight.
However, it is especially urgent to consult a professional when the lymph nodes become swollen in situations in which fever has not appeared, is hard to the touch, or it is detected that the lymph node has suddenly grown large. Although it may seem contradictory, if the inflammation appears without any type of pain it can also be worrying. Likewise, if the inflammation lasts more than a month after the infection that caused it has disappeared you must go to consultation
It should also be taken into account whether the inflammation appears hard and rigid or, on the contrary, is mobile. Although the second case is common in infectious processes, the existence of great rigidity could indicate a serious illness, such as cancer.
The size of the node is one of the criteria to take into account : if they exceed four centimeters we could be facing a significant infection.
Finally, we must also take into account the area in which the lymph node is infected. For example, having swollen neck glands is not uncommon and in many cases the causes are not usually serious. Inguinal infections are usually related to infections of the lower limbs or sexually transmitted diseases. Talking about those located on the clavicle Regardless of their characteristics, they require a quick visit to the doctor, since they tend to be dangerous and may be linked to suffering from some type of cancer.
Treatment
The treatment of swollen glands will depend largely on their cause. Antibiotics will generally be prescribed to treat an infection, and/or analgesic medication to relieve pain while the infection subsides.
In other cases, a possible drainage of the lymph nodes may be necessary, starting a specific treatment to treat autoimmune disorders or start treatment for problems such as cancer if said diagnosis is confirmed.
