Introduction
Lymph node swelling refers to the enlargement of one or more lymph nodes. The lymph nodes are important stations in the lymphatic system for the immune system. In the lymph nodes, mainly so-called lymphocytes – the body’s defense cells – are stored and activated as needed.
Due to their important immunological function, lymph node swelling can occur as soon as the immune system is activated. This can be the case with inflammations, infections, autoimmune diseases and tumors. Typical body regions for lymph node swelling are the neck, armpit and groin.
Causes of lymph node swelling
Infections Viral: Bacterial: Parasitic: Local infections (sore throat, skin infection) Inflammations Autoimmune diseases:
- Measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox
- CMV, Herpes
- HIV
- Piping glandular fever
- Tuberculosis
- Syphilis
- Toxoplasmosis
- Malaria
- Sarcoidosis
- Sjögren’s Syndrome
- Lupus Erythematodes
Tumors: Metastases Detailed information on this topic can be found at Symptoms of Lymphoma
- Lymphomas
- Hodgkin’s disease
- Leukemia
Inflammatory reaction in case of lymph node swelling
Inflammation is a general characteristic of a process in the body in which the immune system is activated. Inflammation often occurs as a result of infection, but chronic irritation or autoimmune diseases (where the immune system attacks the body) can also be the trigger for inflammation. Classical signs of inflammation are redness, swelling and overheating of the affected area.
In addition, pain and functional limitations of the affected body part can occur. Since inflammation leads to activation of the immune system, swelling of the lymph nodes in the affected region often accompanies the inflammation. The swelling of the lymph nodes usually subsides together with the inflammation.
In chronic inflammation, however, the lymph nodes can also be permanently enlarged. The classic term for tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils. Like lymph nodes, tonsils are so-called lymphatic tissue, which plays an important role in the immune system.
In most cases, tonsillitis is caused by bacteria or viruses. Typically, it is accompanied by redness and swelling, severe sore throat, difficulty swallowing and possibly hoarseness. In addition, the neck lymph nodes in particular are often swollen.
Since tonsillitis is usually a bilateral disease, the lymph nodes are usually also affected on both sides of the neck. Further information: TonsillitisInflammation of the bowel is in many cases an acute disease. For example, inflammation of the digestive tract occurs in the course of a gastrointestinal infection, and all sections of the intestine can be affected.
An important part of the body’s immune defence takes place in the intestine, as the intake of many small components of food must be decided. The body should decide between nutrients and harmful pathogens. Therefore, the intestine has a large number of lymph nodes that supply the immune system with the important defense cells.
These lymph nodes can swell up when the intestine becomes inflamed. Sarcoidosis is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system begins to attack the body’s own cells. The lungs are most frequently affected, but sarcoidosis can occur in any organ.
In the course of the disease, the affected organs become inflamed. Due to the long-lasting inflammation in the body, the immune system is permanently activated. This causes a swelling of the lymph nodes.
Frequently, the lymph nodes in the neck, armpits and occasionally those in the groin are affected. In most cases, lymph node swelling also occurs locally near the affected organ. Fever and skin rashes also occur.
All articles in this series:
