Introduction
The human body has about 600-800 lymph nodes in total. Of these, 300 are located in the head and neck region alone. Pain from swollen lymph nodes can be very unpleasant and disturbing.
The causes of these complaints are varied and can range from harmless infections to more serious conditions and malignant diseases. In most cases, however, the cause is harmless and the pain soon disappears on its own. The main task of the lymph nodes is the immune defense.
They serve as a kind of filter station for the circulating lymph fluid, which, in addition to waste products and nutrients, also carries pathogens into the lymph nodes. These are specifically fended off there. If the immune system is busy eliminating large quantities of pathogens, this is often noticeable by swollen lymph nodes and fever.
Causes of painful lymph nodes
Pain in the lymph node area is most often caused by an infection with pathogens (viral or bacterial infections). The immune system is activated and the lymph nodes swell. Normally, the lymph nodes are about 0.5-1.0 cm in size.
In the activated form, they can also become larger than 2 cm. The swelling of the lymph nodes increases the tension in the tissue and in the lymph nodes themselves. This can be painful, especially when pressure is applied to the lymph nodes.
Other diseases in which the lymph nodes can swell painfully include Some autoimmune diseases can also lead to swelling of the lymph nodes, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Last but not least, malignant diseases can also be the cause of the symptoms. For example, lymph nodes can be the site of metastasis from tumors of other origins, or they can themselves become malignant (malignant lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease).
Painful lymph nodes are therefore almost always harmless. In most cases, a simple infection is behind it. Only in rare cases are they the result of a malignant disease.
- Abscesses (accumulation of pus)
- Sarcoidosis (lung disease)
- Tuberculosis
- Syphilis
- HIV
- Malaria
- Leishmanios
- Rheumatic diseases (rheumatoid arthritis).
In the course of a cold, which is caused by an infection with adeno- or rhinoviruses, among other things, swollen and painful lymph nodes regularly occur. The swollen lymph nodes are often accompanied by the symptoms typical of colds: Rhinitis, sore throat (pharyngitis) and general malaise. The lymph nodes are clearly enlarged (sometimes up to several centimeters), shiftable and clearly distinguishable.
As a rule, the lymph nodes are swollen on both sides. If the lymph node swelling persists for longer than 2-3 weeks or is accompanied by fever or weight loss, a doctor should be consulted. This doctor will palpate the superficial lymph nodes and ask questions about the occurrence of the symptoms in order to find a possible cause.
and therapy of a coldPainful lymph nodes often manifest themselves as swallowing difficulties. The swallowing process causes additional tension in the lymph nodes in the front part of the neck, which leads to a sensation of pain. This pain can easily be confused with sore throat in the context of a cold, which is caused by an attack of the pathogens on the oral mucosa.
In some cases, the swollen lymph nodes are the first symptom of an infection or cold. In this case, the pain points to an inflammatory rather than a malignant process. This is often accompanied by fever, headache and earache.
It is often reported that the pain radiates into the ear area. If the pain in the neck area does not improve within a few days, the swelling of the lymph nodes lasts longer than two to three weeks or is accompanied by fever and weight loss, a doctor should be consulted in any case. In the wisdom tooth surgery, the wisdom teeth are removed from the jawbone.
Depending on the position and size of the wisdom teeth, a relatively large amount of jaw bone has to be removed, so that a large area involving various tissues (bones, connective tissue, oral mucosa) is involved in wound healing.Therefore, it is not uncommon for swollen and painful lymph nodes to appear as a result. The neck lymph nodes, the lymph nodes below the jaw and those on the chin are particularly affected. Occasionally, the collarbone lymph nodes can also cause pain.
Sufficient cooling of the operated area is particularly helpful in alleviating the pain. However, it should be noted that the swelling of the lymph nodes should subside within a few days after wisdom tooth surgery. Otherwise it could be an indication of a wound healing disorder.
In this case and especially if the wound does not close or pus is leaking, the dentist should be consulted. Pain in the area of the lymph nodes often occurs in connection with the consumption of alcohol. The exact mechanism how the alcohol-related pain occurs is not yet understood.
This so-called alcohol-related pain is a typical symptom of Hodgkin’s lymphoma. It usually occurs relatively quickly after the intake of alcohol and then subsides again quickly. Sometimes it is accompanied by pain in the neck and shoulder area.
Hodgkin’s lymphomas are malignant tumors of the lymphatic cells, which spread along the lymphatic pathways in the body. As a result, several lymph nodes often fuse together. Some of the swollen lymph nodes are not painful and can be displaced.
In addition, Hodgkin’s lymphoma causes further symptoms: Fever, night sweats and an unexplainable weight loss of more than 10% of body weight within six months. In addition, a general reduction in performance, swelling of the spleen and liver and manifestations in the skin area are possible. Any pain in the area of the lymph nodes of the neck/shoulder area related to the intake of alcohol should consult a doctor for further investigations.
