Why do the lymph nodes in the neck ache and what to do?

The pain in the lymph nodes today is quite a problem both among adults and among children. The causes of its occurrence are many, and colds are far from the main ones. Therefore, to be informed about the causes of pain in the lymph nodes is very important, since in the future it will allow you to closely monitor your health, not delay the visit to the doctor and immediately take any therapeutic and preventive measures.

Causes of the pain of lymph nodes in the neck

The lymph node is a small organ of the lymphatic system that acts as a biological filter in the body. Lymph flows through the lymph nodes, which comes from organs and body parts. In our body there are several groups of lymph nodes, each of these groups performs its protective function, focused on the protection of a particular organ or organ system. The main functions of the cervical lymph nodes is to protect against infections and tumors of organs located in the neck and directly protect the head and brain. The inflammation and tenderness of the lymph node is called lymphadenitis and is most often the result of an infection or, less often, due to a tumor-like lesion. If the lymph nodes in the neck hurt, then we may well suspect that the site of infection is located near the site of lymph nodes. This may be acute respiratory infections, throat infections, and ear diseases. Accompanying symptoms of lymphadenitis are fever, general malaise, and headache. When the lymph nodes in the neck ache, you should immediately consult a doctor, as the usual inflammation can develop into a purulent form.

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Symptoms of the pain of lymph nodes in the neck

Usually, the lymph nodes on the neck get inflamed and hurt themselves, in any case, their increase and soreness indicate that an inflammatory process occurs in the body. Immediately after the pathogen enters the lymph node, the lymphocytes that are inside the lymph node begin the process of resistance and destroy the harmful viruses and bacteria. But in most cases, this process of killing viruses is accompanied by pain and associated symptoms.

Inflammation of the lymph nodes in the neck can be divided into three types:

1. Inflammation, which is accompanied by pain of weak intensity, which is normally not felt, but is slightly manifested by palpation. A clear increase in the lymph node is not observed, the node is palpated under the skin, but does not protrude above its level. Temperature, weakness and headache are practically absent. There may be a slight sore throat.
2. Inflammation, which is accompanied by pain not only during palpation, but also in the usual position. There is an increase in the lymph node, which can be seen visually, the node is well palpated and protrudes above the skin level. Concomitant symptoms are weakness, fever, headache, sore throat.
3. Purulent inflammation of the lymph node, which is manifested by severe pain and reddening of the skin in the lymph node. Concomitant symptoms of purulent inflammation are high body temperature, chills, sometimes fever, weakness, general malaise, severe headache.

In any case, when the lymph nodes in the neck ache, a visit to the doctor is obligatory. It is impossible to cure lymphadenitis on its own, especially if it is in an acute or advanced stage.

Sore lymph node in the neck to the right

When the lymph node in the neck on the right side hurts, it may indicate an inflammatory process in the throat, an increase and inflammation of the right lobe of the thyroid gland, or an inflammation of the right tonsil. Less commonly, there may be suspicion of any type of infection that spreads from the tongue, teeth, mouth, and soft tissues of the face. Before talking about what needs to be done, it is worth mentioning that in no case do you need to do when the lymph nodes in the neck hurt - it is to warm them, apply compresses on the painful area and engage in any kind of self-treatment.

The only outcome of the above procedures may be an abscess of the lymph node. Even if the pain and enlargement of the lymph node is insignificant, in any case, a visit to the doctor is vital. The reason for such an urgent visit is that the infectious factor tends to spread rapidly and the condition of the inflamed lymph node without taking the necessary measures of treatment can significantly worsen and the most unfavorable outcome will be an inflammation of all the lymph nodes in the body.

Sore lymph node in the neck to the left

The causes of the pain of the lymph nodes in the left neck are almost the same as the causes of the pain of the lymph nodes in the neck on the right. But here it is worth adding that with the pain of the lymph nodes in the neck on the left, one can suspect a lesion of the abdominal cavity and retroperitoneal space. If the inflammation spreads to the left submandibular lymph node, then infectious diseases like infectious mononucleosis, cytomegalovirus, toxoplasmosis can be the cause. In particular, these diseases are characteristic of children. In any case, to determine the cause of the disease, a general and biochemical blood test is done, a general urinalysis, less often a doctor may prescribe an ultrasound of some abdominal organs or a puncture of the lymph node. According to statistics, in 25% of cases of inflammation of the lymph nodes in the neck, there is also a parallel inflammation of the entire lymphatic system of the body. Therefore, if the lymph nodes in the neck hurt, their inflammation is marked and you feel weakness, chills and fever, then the only sensible and logical solution will be to call emergency medical assistance or if the condition permits - an independent emergency visit to the doctor.

Sore lymph node in the neck from behind

Most often, pain and an enlarged lymph node in the neck are seen from behind in children, since one of the main causes of this condition is infectious mononucleosis, which affects children more than adults. Usually, in addition to a pronounced swollen lymph node, there is also swelling of the face and severe pain in the cervical region. To diagnose mononucleosis conduct a study on the presence of Epstein-Barr infection. When the lymph nodes in the back of the neck hurt, they also carry out tests for the determination of cytomegalovirus, tuberculosis, tularemia, brucellosis, and herpes 1,2 and 6, as these diseases can also cause lymphadenopathy. A separate group of causes of pain in the cervical lymph nodes include neoplastic diseases such as Hodgkin's disease and lymphocytic leukemia. In this case, the lymph node is objectively solid, enlarged and immobile. In this case, radical treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy are carried out.

If the lymph node in the neck hurts?

Severe and severe soreness of the lymph node indicates either the neglect of a disease or an acute inflammatory process that is currently taking place in the body or is located directly in the lymph node itself.

Separately, there are also such causes of pain in the lymph node as:

• allergic reaction to medications
• allergic reaction to insect bites
• immune reaction to vaccination

Mostly these reactions of the immune system are accompanied by a clear increase and a pronounced soreness of the lymph node itself, swelling of the face, fever, chills, fever. Therefore, if the lymph nodes in the neck hurt badly, then to endure and wait when the state normalizes itself is strictly prohibited. In any case, self-medication and untimely seeking help from a specialist can have a negative and lethal outcome.

Treatment of the pain of lymph nodes in the neck

Treatment of pain in the lymph nodes in any case is assigned individually depending on the type and stage of the disease. In the case when you have lymph nodes in your neck and your overall health has deteriorated, then during this period you should stop any physical activity and go into a calmer mode. The cause of pain in the lymph nodes in almost all cases is the same - it is an inflammatory process, and in order to effectively overcome this process, medical treatment is necessary. It is mainly based on taking anti-inflammatory analgesic drugs and antibiotics. Regarding alternative medicine, in this case it makes sense solely as an adjuvant therapy, but in no case should it replace the main treatment. When inflammation of the lymph nodes during a cold, you can take Echinacea tincture of 10-15 drops 3-4 times a day. Also, vitamin C intake will be effective, since it is this vitamin that provides the production of white blood cells in our body. Regarding physiotherapy for pain in the lymph nodes, it is most often prescribed UHF therapy. In the most extreme cases of diseases, their surgical treatment is carried out by puncturing the lymph node or by its complete removal.

Pain in the lymph nodes in the neck in all cases is an alarm signal in the body. Without a cause, pain does not exist, especially if this pain is localized in the lymph nodes. Therefore, careful attention to the state of your body and overall health will allow you to avoid radical treatment and significantly reduce the risk of complications of the disease in the future.