Lymph nodes are small glands belonging to the lymphatic system, which are spread throughout the body and are responsible for filtering the lymph, collecting viruses, bacteria and other organisms that can cause disease. Once in the lymph nodes, these microorganisms are eliminated by the lymphocytes, which are important defense cells in the body.
Thus, the lymph nodes are essential for the immune system of each person, helping to prevent or fight infections such as flu, tonsillitis, otitis or colds. In more rare cases, the frequent presence of inflamed nodes may even be a sign of cancer, especially lymphoma or leukemia.
Although, most of the time, the ganglia cannot be felt or felt, when fighting an infection, they increase in size, become swollen and, in these cases, they can be felt near the region where the infection is occurring. Understand what can lead to inflammation of the lymph nodes.
Where are the lymph nodes
The ganglia can be found individually or in groups, spread over several regions of the body. However, the greatest concentration of these glands occurs in places such as:
- Neck: they are more concentrated on the sides of the neck, becoming swollen when there is a sore throat or an infection in a tooth, for example; Clavicle: usually enlarged due to infections in the lungs, breasts or neck; Armpits: when inflamed they may be a sign of an infection in the hand or arm or indicate more serious problems such as breast cancer; Groin: they appear inflamed when there is an infection in the leg, foot or sexual organs.
When one of these groups of ganglia is trying to fight an infection, it is common to feel that the area is painful, hot and with small bumps under the skin.
Most of the inflamed lymph nodes disappear after 3 or 4 days, when the infection is cured, and therefore are not an alarm signal. However, if they are enlarged for more than 1 week, it is important to see a general practitioner as they may indicate a more serious problem, such as cancer, which must be identified early and treated.
When to go to the doctor
It is recommended to go to the doctor when some features related to the ganglia are noticed, such as:
- Palpation of a hard and firm ganglion, that is, that does not move to the touch; Ganglion larger than 3 cm in diameter; Progressive size increase; Appearance of ganglion above the clavicle; Emergence of other symptoms, such as fever, weight loss without apparent cause and tiredness, for example.
It is important to go to the doctor to assess the characteristics of the nodes so that, if necessary, appropriate laboratory and imaging tests are performed to confirm the diagnosis.
