Lymph nodes have a protective function - they protect the body from pathogens and the spread of malignant tumors. In the presence of purulent infection in the body lymph nodes initially tried to fight it, and then themselves become inflamed.
Reactive changes in inflammation in the lymph nodes of organs and tissues
Most often in the lymph nodes the picture of reactive inflammation in response to infectious and inflammatory processes in the near or distant organs. The increase in lymph nodes can be expressed to varying degrees in mainly due to hyperplasia and edema
Hyperplasia - do not be afraid
(growths) tissue. Process enlarged lymph nodes associated with the immune response to inflammation in other organs. Lymph nodes are enlarged, painful and not soldered to surrounding tissues.
Reactive changes in the lymph nodes or lead to the suppression of infections caused by inflammation, or to be involved in the process of lymph node.
Inflammatory changes in the lymph nodes
Lymph nodes are inflamed in the case when they become infected with the flow of lymph or the blood and immune system can not suppress it. Inflammation of the lymph node is called lymphadenitis. This disease is in most cases is secondary, that is developed on the background of some other inflammation - a sore throat, thrombophlebitis, boils, abscesses, cellulitis, and so on. Primary lymphadenitis may occur only as a result of injury, in which the infection goes directly into the lymph node.
Depending on the nature and location of the main inflammatory lymph nodes may be increased slightly or very much, have a different texture and appearance. In addition, inflammatory processes in lymph nodes can occur acutely and chronically. Depending on the nature of inflammation distinguish serous, hemorrhagic, fibrinous and suppurative lymphadenitis.
Pathogens may be pyogenic bacteria (primarily staphylococci) in this case is called a nonspecific inflammation as it occurs equally in different pathogens. There are also specific inflammation of the lymph nodes, each with its own particular characteristic of a single disease (tuberculosis, actinomycosis, syphilis, etc.).
How are swollen lymph nodes at nonspecific lymphadenitis
In acute nonspecific lymphadenitis of involvement of the lymph nodes says they increase in size and redness of the skin over them. First, inflammation is catarrhal (serous) character without festering. The general condition of the patient is not suffering, painful lymph nodes moderately and not soldered to surrounding tissues.
If the process in this step is not stopped, it can take purulent. This inflamed and swollen lymph nodes, not only for yourself
Lymph nodes - what keeps our immune system
But also the surrounding tissues, the lymph nodes are soldered to them in a single conglomerate. At the same time the temperature rises sharply, there is a fever, headache and other symptoms of intoxication.
Especially hard lymphadenitis phlegmonous occur when the pus is not limited to the capsule and can spread through the lymphatic and blood vessels, causing general poisoning of the body - sepsis.
Treatment inflamed lymph nodes depends on the stage of the process. The initial stage (before the formation of an abscess) treated conservatively with antibiotics and physiotherapy. If the abscess began, will only surgery - opening the abscess.
Chronic inflammation of the lymph nodes
Inflammation of the lymph nodes - when it comes to infection
occurs against a background of acute lymphadenitis or undertreated develops gradually in the body in the presence of a constant source of infection. Most such centers are diseases of the teeth and the upper respiratory tract - caries, chronic tonsillitis, sinusitis and so on. In this case, lymph node under the influence of the inflammatory process involves the proliferation of lymphoid tissues, and it increases in size. Suppurating lymph nodes are extremely rare. Outwardly, they look enlarged, moderately painful (painful or not at all), not soldered to surrounding tissues. Gradually, the lymphoid tissue in the lymph nodes is replaced by connective tissue and reducing their function. This can lead to disruption of lymph circulation and edema.
How are inflamed lymph nodes under specific lymphadenitis
When specific lymphadenitis lymph node status is dependent on the underlying disease. For example, in tuberculous lymphadenitis most frequently affects the intrathoracic lymph nodes (tuberculous bronchoadenitis). This is the initial manifestation of a general disease organism, which can only be seen on X-rays. TB bronchoadenitis treated according to the rules of treatment of tuberculosis
Treatment of tuberculosis - a lengthy process and requires constant monitoring
.
Swollen lymph nodes are a lot can tell the specialist.
Galina Romanenko
