Contents
In line with its mission, the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony makes every effort to provide reliable medical content supported by the latest scientific knowledge. The additional flag “Checked Content” indicates that the article has been reviewed by or written directly by a physician. This two-step verification: a medical journalist and a doctor allows us to provide the highest quality content in line with current medical knowledge.
Our commitment in this area has been appreciated, among others, by by the Association of Journalists for Health, which awarded the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony with the honorary title of the Great Educator.
What can enlarged lymph nodes indicate? Could lymphadenopathy be a consequence of an infection? Could this be a signal that the body is developing a serious disease? The question is answered by the drug. Anna Mitschke.
What do enlarged lymph nodes indicate?
Hello, I just came back from the doctor and one thing is bothering me, maybe you will be able to advise me on this matter. I was at the GP because I was worried about my health. For about three weeks, I was constantly tired, sleepy and had no strength for anything. There has been a fever in the last few days. The doctor said it was probably some kind of infection, but noted that I had enlarged submandibular lymph nodes. This scared me right away, but the doctor said it was normal and nothing to worry about until the infection was resolved.
Was he right? What are the proof of enlarged submandibular lymph nodes? Is it really enlarged submandibular lymph nodes is it the result of an infection only? Normally, I would not care so much, but I felt weakness in my body and constant fatigue even before the symptoms of a cold, but I do not know if the submandibular lymph nodes were also enlarged then, because I did not pay much attention to it. Please let me know if such an enlargement of the submandibular lymph nodes is something dangerous? What should I ask the doctor about next time?
The doctor indicates possible causes of enlargement of the submandibular lymph nodes
Lymph nodes are structures made of lymphoid tissue. They play an important role in the immune system. They are present almost everywhere in the body. They tend to be in groups, especially in those areas with large vessels such as the neck, armpit, groin, lung cavity, around the aorta. Lymph nodes can become enlarged for a number of reasons. However, they most often occur in the course of an infection. Usually, infection does not take place in the nodes themselves, but in the structures that are near them. This is also the case, for example, in the case of throat infections, when the submandibular, chin, cervical and other nodes may become enlarged. In the event of an infection, the lymph nodes become enlarged.
Significantly enlarged lymph nodes in adults are considered to be those larger than 1 cm. Additionally, they can become tender, easily felt through the skin, even by the patient. In this case, after the infection is fought, the lymph nodes recover to their normal size. Although infection is the most common cause of enlarged lymph nodes, it is not the only one. Sometimes infection occurs in the lymph node itself, e.g. in the course of tuberculosis. Many bacterial, viral, fungal and protozoal infections lead to enlargement of the lymph nodes.
Enlarged lymph nodes often occur in the course of cancer. We should be especially concerned when there is an enlargement of the lymph nodes at the same time in many areas. They are usually painless, hard and difficult to slide under the skin. In addition, accompanying fever, weakness, weight loss, easy bruising, intense sweating – all these symptoms are an urgent indication for seeing a doctor. The enlarged supraclavicular lymph nodes are always of concern. In case of any disturbing symptoms, I recommend that you visit your GP. After examining the patient, the doctor may decide on the possible implementation of diagnostics. In the diagnosis of enlarged lymph nodes, imaging tests such as ultrasound, X-ray, CT, MR, scintigraphy, PET are used. Sometimes it may be necessary to collect the entire node for histopathological examination.
— Lek. Anna Mitchke
The editorial board recommends:
- How to use vitamin E on the face?
- How to permanently remove warts on the neck?
- Side effects of the drug Xetanor
For a long time you have not been able to find the cause of your ailments or are you still looking for it? Do you want to tell us your story or draw attention to a common health problem? Write to the address [email protected] #Together we can do more
The content of the medTvoiLokony website is intended to improve, not replace, the contact between the Website User and their doctor. The website is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Before following the specialist knowledge, in particular medical advice, contained on our Website, you must consult a doctor. The Administrator does not bear any consequences resulting from the use of information contained on the Website.