What are the symptoms of lymph nodes

With the transition from spring to summer, people with weak immunity are prone to catching colds and fevers. Some patients may also feel obvious small lumps under their necks and armpits, which are symptoms of swollen lymph nodes. Today we will take a detailed look at the various symptoms of lymph nodes to avoid unnecessary panic due to lack of understanding of the disease.

Chronic lymphadenitis: Most cases have obvious infection foci, and often localized lymph node enlargement, pain and tenderness. The diameter usually does not exceed 2 to 3 cm and will shrink after anti-inflammatory treatment.

Tuberculous lymphadenitis: fever, sweating, fatigue, and increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate are common in young and middle-aged people. It is often accompanied by pulmonary tuberculosis. The texture of the lymph nodes is uneven, some parts are lighter (caseous change), some parts are harder (fibrosis or calcification), and they are adhered to each other and the skin, so their mobility is poor.

Malignant lymphoma: It can also be seen in any age group. The lymph node enlargement is often painless and progressive. It can be as big as a soybean to a date and has medium hardness. Generally, there is no adhesion to the skin, and they do not fuse with each other in the early and middle stages, so they are movable. In the later stages, the lymph nodes may grow very large or fuse into large masses with a diameter of more than 20 cm, invading the skin and taking a long time to heal after rupturing.

Acute leukemia and chronic lymphocytic leukemia also often cause lymphadenopathy, especially acute lymphocytic leukemia, which is common in children. Clinically, the disease develops rapidly and is often accompanied by fever, bleeding, enlarged liver and spleen, and sternal tenderness.

How many lymph nodes are there in the human body?

Lymph nodes are important immune organs in the human body. A normal person has about 500-600 lymph nodes. Lymph nodes can be divided into superficial lymph nodes and deep lymph nodes according to their location. The lymph nodes examined in actual clinical work are mainly superficial lymph nodes. Deep lymph node enlargement often has no symptoms in the early stages and can only be detected through special tests such as lymphangiography and radionuclide scanning. The diameter of normal lymph nodes is mostly between 0.2 and 0.5 cm. They are often distributed in groups, have a soft texture, a smooth surface, no tenderness, and no adhesion to the surrounding tissues. They are generally difficult to touch except for 1 to 2 nodes that can be occasionally touched in the submandibular, groin, and axillae.

Why do lymph node symptoms occur?

The lymphatic system is the body's natural defense against infection and toxins. Groups of superficial lymph nodes are found in the neck, armpits, groin, behind the knees, and in front and behind the ears.

The most common cause of swollen lymph nodes is infection. The location of the swelling depends on the location of the infection. Throat and ear infections may cause swollen lymph nodes in the neck. Head infections can cause swollen lymph nodes behind the ears. Hand or arm infections can cause swollen lymph nodes under the armpits. Foot and leg infections can cause swollen lymph nodes in the groin.

The most common cause of swollen lymph nodes is a sore throat, cold, tooth inflammation (abscess), ear infection or insect bites.