Lymphadenitis is an inflammation of one or more lymph nodes, which usually becomes swollen and tender. So when the lymph nodes around the neck, armpits, and groin swell and hurt when pressed, it is a sign of lymphadenitis.
The Lymphatic System
The lymphatic system is part of the immune system. It plays a key role in the body's defense against infection and a host of other diseases, including cancer.
Like the circulatory system, the lymphatic system is a circulation, but the fluid in it is lymph, not blood.
The lymphatic system helps transport substances such as cells, proteins, nutrients, waste products / waste throughout the body. The lymphatic system includes: Lymphatic vessels (often called simply 'lymphatics'), lymph nodes (often called 'lymph nodes') and organs such as the spleen and thymus. The bone marrow found in large bones is also part of the lymphatic system. White blood cells are made in the bone marrow.
Physiology and the Role of the Lymphatic System
The lymphatic system is an essential part of the immune system, fortifying the body against infections and various diseases, including cancer.
A liquid called lymph circulates through the lymphatic vessels, and carries lymphocytes (white blood cells) around the body. These lymphocytes are the cells of the immune system that help the body fight disease. There are two main types of lymphocytes: T-lymphocytes and B-lymphocytes. because the lymph fluid does not contain red blood cells then it is white.
Lymphatic vessels pass through the lymph nodes. Lymph nodes contain large numbers of lymphocytes and act like filters, catching organisms that cause infections such as bacteria and viruses.
Lymph nodes tend to cluster together in a group - for example, there is a large group in the armpits, in the neck and the fold / groin.
When a part of the body is infected or swollen, the nearest lymph nodes are often enlarged and painful. The following occurs, for example, if a person with a neck pain experiences a 'swollen gland' in the neck, the lymphatic fluid from the throat flows into the lymph nodes in the neck, where the infecting organism can be destroyed and prevented from spreading to other parts of the body.
Causes of Lymphadenitis
Lymphadenitis is almost always produced from an infection, which is probably caused by bacteria, viruses, protozoa, ricketsia, or fungi. Characteristically, the infection spreads to lymph nodes from skin, ear, nose, or eye infections or from some infections such as infectious mononucleosis, cytomegalovirus infection, streptococcal infection, tuberculosis, or syphilis. Such infections may affect the lymph nodes or only in one area of the body.
Symptoms of Lymphadenitis
Infected lymph nodes enlarge and are usually soft and very painful. Occasionally, the skin along the infected gland appears red and warm. The person may have a fever. Sometimes, the bag or pus (abscess) is formed. Enlarged body glands that do not cause pain, or redness may indicate other serious disorders, such as lymphoma, tuberculosis, or Hodgkin lymphoma.
Diagnosis
Usually, lymphadenitis can be diagnosed based on the basic symptoms, and it causes a real surrounding infection. When the cause can not be easily identified, biopsy (removal and research on tissue samples under a microscope) and culture (samples sent to the laboratory and placed on a medium culture allowing the microorganism to develop) may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis and to identify the infecting organism .
Treatment
Treatment depends on the organism that causes the infection. For bacterial infections, in conventional medical antibiotics are usually given intravenously or by mouth, but such treatment usually leads to bacterial resistance and kills beneficial bacteria in our digestive tract. In holistic medicine, the provision of natural antibiotics such as garlic and propolis is able to eradicate inflammation-causing microbes without having to kill beneficial bacteria in the body.
In addition to antibiotics, surgery is also sometimes performed in conventional medicine.
Warm water compresses can help relieve pain in inflammation of the lymph nodes. Usually, when the infection has been treated, the lymph nodes slowly shrink, and the pain subsides. Sometimes the enlarged stem remains strong but no longer feels soft.