Careful observation of the neck allows for the diagnosis of various types of disease. It shows, among others, polycystic ovary syndrome, heart failure or a tumor on the artery. How to recognize diseases visible on the neck?
- We usually pay attention to the neck only in the context of the wrinkles that develop with age
- Meanwhile, it is there that the thyroid gland is located, from which more and more Poles suffer from hyper- or hypothyroidism. There are other diseases on the neck
- First of all, pay attention to the color of the skin, all lumps and the visible pulse
- More information can be found on the Onet homepage.
Darkening skin
Dark or black skin on the neck can be a result of sun exposure. However, if it occurs in a situation where sunlight exposure can be excluded, it may be a sign of a specific medical condition.
When the skin on the neck gets darker, it can be a symptom of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), insulin resistance, and also diabetes. Acanthosis nigricans, as this symptom is called, also makes the skin harder and to the touch resembling silk. In rare cases, this symptom may indicate a tumor in the stomach or liver.
A dirty neck may indicate congenital dyslerosis.
- See also: What does the skin say about your health?
Visible veins and pulse
When the neck begins to pulsate or the veins are clearly pulsating, it may be a sign of high blood pressure. This in turn leads to serious health consequences such as heart disease, kidney disease and ischemic stroke.
The visible pulse in the neck at rest may indicate a carotid tumor.
Enlarged lymph nodes
There are over 100 lymph nodes in the neck area. These are small lumps that are not visible on a daily basis. When the lymph nodes become swollen and tender, they may be signs of inflammation in your body. It is a symptom typical of a cold, flu, but also, for example, a tooth disease.
If you feel a small lump in your neck, it’s likely to be just an enlarged lymph node. Unless it is really big, it shouldn’t be a cause for concern. Significantly enlarged lymph nodes, as well as accompanying symptoms such as:
- weight loss in people who do not follow a diet
- voice change in the last few weeks (especially hoarseness)
- night sweats
- difficulty swallowing
- shortness of breath
- chronic fatigue
- bruises that appear for no reason
- coughing up blood
A swelling in the neck
A swelling in the neck, especially in combination with symptoms such as difficulty swallowing or hoarseness, may indicate that a goiter has developed. This, in turn, occurs when this gland is underactive or inflamed. Certain medications may also be responsible for the formation of a lump.
Thyroid diseases affect more and more Poles. You can check if you also have an overactive or underactive thyroid. Prophylactic thyroid tests are available at Medonet Market.
Wide neck
If your neck is too large (43 cm or more in men and 40 cm or more in women), you may be at particular risk of developing sleep apnea. This is when there are cyclical pauses in breathing of at least 10 seconds. Untreated apnea leads to heart disease, hypertension, drowsiness, memory and attention disorders, and also to impotence in men.
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