Swollen Lymph Nodes Causes and How to Treat

What the lymph nodes? understanding of lymph nodes is the most important part of the human immune system. Lymph nodes help your body recognize and fight germs, infections, and other foreign substances.Swollen lymph nodes usually occurs as a result of exposure to bacteria or viruses. When the swollen lymph nodes caused by infection, is known as lymphadenitis. The cause of swollen lymph nodes may also occur due to cancer.The function of the lymph nodes play an important role in your body's ability to fight viruses, bacteria and other causes of disease. Location swollen lymph nodes are common in some parts of your body, which is swelling of the lymph nodes in your neck, swollen lymph nodes in your armpit, under your chin, also in your groin.Treatment of swollen lymph nodes depends on the cause.

 Your lymphatic system consists of a network of organs, blood vessels and lymph nodes are located throughout your body. Most of the lymph nodes in the head and you're on your neck. Lymph nodes are often swollen in this area, and in the armpits and groin area.Swollen lymph nodes are a sign that something is wrong somewhere in your body. When you swollen lymph symptoms at first, you may be able to see and feel, are the features of lymph node disease at the beginning of swelling namely:

• Tender and painful.
• Lump lymph nodes that may be about the size of peas or peanuts, or even greater.

Depending on the cause of your swollen lymph nodes and lymph node disease symptoms you, signs and symptoms that you may experience include:

• Colds, sore throat, fever and other indications of respiratory tract infections
• Swollen lymph nodes generally can occur throughout your body - which may indicate an infection, such as HIV or mononucleosis symptoms, or immune disorders, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis
• Swollen limbs, may indicate blockage of the lymphatic system caused by swelling in the lymph nodes too far under your skin
• Hardened and swelling rapidly growing, indicating a possible lymph node tumor growth fever
• Sweating at night

Some enlarged lymph nodes can return to normal when the underlying condition, such as a small infection. However, general practitioners meet your lymph nodes if you are concerned or if your swollen lymph nodes as follows:

• Has appeared for no apparent reason
• Continue to grow or have appeared for two to four weeks
• Feels hard or chewy, or hurt when you press
• Persistent fever, night sweats or weight loss with no known cause
• Accompanied by a sore throat or difficulty swallowing and breathing

Definition of lymph nodes

Lump lymph nodes of the small, round or as beans, a group of cells that is covered as by a capsule of connective tissue. These cells are a combination of lymphocytes - which produce proteins that capture viral particles and macrophages, which break down the captured material. Lymphocytes and macrophages filter your lymphatic fluid as it runs through your body and protect you by destroying bacteria or viruses.
Lymph nodes are in a group, and each group is in a particular area of ​​your body. You tend to be able to see the swelling in certain areas, such as swollen lymph nodes in your groin, under your chin, in the armpits and groin. Areas of inflammation of the lymph nodes can help identify the underlying cause.
Causes of lymph node disease in general is an infection, especially viral infections, such as the common cold. However, there are other types of infection of the lymph nodes, including the possible causes are parasites and bacteria, and others. These include: 

 

General infection

•     Sore throat
•     Measles
•     Ear infections
•     Infected tooth (abscess)
•     Mononucleosis
•     Skin or wound infections, such as cellulitis or erysipelas
•     Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) - the virus that causes AIDS

Infections are rare

•     Tuberculosis
•     Certain sexually transmitted infections, such as syphilis
•     Toxoplasmosis - a parasitic infection resulting from contact with infected cat feces or eating undercooked meat

Immune system disorders

• Lupus - a chronic infectious disease that can target the joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, heart and lungs
• Rheumatoid arthritis - chronic disease infection that targets the tissue that lines the joints (synovium)

Cancer

• Lymphoma - cancer that originates in the lymphatic system you
• Leukemia - cancer of blood-forming tissues of your body, including bone marrow and lymphatic system
• Cancer that has spread (metastasized) to become cancerous lymph nodes

Maybe, but rarely Other causes are certain medications, such as anti-seizure drug phenytoin (Dilantin), and drug-drug malaria prevention, not a cure for the disease lymph nodes.

If infection is the cause of swollen lymph nodes and untreated, complications may occur:

• Abscess formation. An abscess is a collection of pus caused by infection. Pus contains fluid, white blood cells, dead tissue, and bacteria or other invaders. Abscess may require drainage and antibiotic treatment. An abscess can cause significant damage if it occurs in a vital organ.
•      Bloodstream infections (bacteremia). Bacterial infection anywhere in your body can develop into sepsis, caused by severe infection of the bloodstream. Sepsis can lead to organ failure and death. Treatment with hospitalization and intravenous antibiotics.

If you have swollen lymph nodes, you may start by first seeing a doctor. However, when you call to report, you may be advised to seek medical care immediately if you experience severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing or swallowing.

To diagnose what causes swelling of lymph nodes and the danger you are in trouble, your doctor should:

• Your medical history. In addition, the doctor wants to know when and how about you developing lymph nodes and whether you experience signs or other symptoms.
• Examination of the lymph nodes in the physical. Your doctor will also check the lymph nodes near the surface of your skin. The location of the lymph nodes and other signs and symptoms will give you a hint of the underlying cause.
• Blood tests. Depending on the doctor what is causing your swollen lymph nodes, blood tests may be done to confirm or exclude the suspected condition. Special tests will depend on the suspected cause, but will most likely include a complete blood count, which helps evaluate your overall health and detect various disorders, including infections and leukemia.
• Imaging studies. An X-ray or computerized tomography examination (CT) of the position of the affected lymph nodes can help determine potential sources of infection or find tumors.
• Lymph node biopsy. If your doctor can not make a diagnosis, it may be helpful to remove the sample from the lymph nodes or even an entire lymph node for microscopic examination. In some cases, you may require excision biopsy. This type of biopsy is also called surgical biopsy that removes part or all of the lymph nodes through an incision in the analysis. A surgeon performs the procedure while using local or general anesthesia.

 

How to treat swollen lymph nodes

Swollen lymph nodes caused by the virus may return to normal after a viral infection resolves. Antibiotics are not useful for treating viral infections. Lymph node disease and its treatment depends on the cause:

Infection. The most common treatment for swollen lymph nodes caused by a bacterial infection is antibiotics. If your lymph node disease due to HIV infection, you will receive treatment for the condition.

     Immune disorders. If your lymph nodes are the result of certain conditions, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, treatment is directed at the underlying condition.

     Cancer. Swelling caused by cancer will require treatment for cancer. Depending on the type of cancer, treatment for cancer penyumbuhan lymph nodes may involve lymph node surgery, radiation or chemotherapy.