The human body has nodes in the neck that, sometimes, are inflamed by some infection or disease, being one of the main signs that something may not be going well in the body. Prevention is always the best ally when talking about health, although in many cases it is not in the hands of oneself to avoid inflammation of the nodes. But it is possible to adopt a series of measures such as self-examination to control whether or not there is any anomaly in the neck area to go to the doctor as soon as possible to follow a treatment. And, how to detect swollen nodes in the neck? In we explain the keys to self-examination and why it is so important to detect inflammation in time. How to do a self-examination of the nodes in the neck.
The nodes are in several areas of the neck. Perhaps the best known are those that are located under the jaw and chin, but there is still more. Specifically, they are located on both sides of the neck, with a whole chain on the front. It is also in the lower part of the back of the neck and head, as well as behind the ears.
In all these areas it is convenient to do a palpation with the fingers of the hands while in a normal position. That is, the neck remains straight and is not tilted or tilted to the left or right, among other postures that could alter the result of the scan. The process is very easy to do:
- Place your fingers on the node area. It is important that you do not use the middle finger because when noticed in it the pulse can mislead in the self-examination. It is advisable to use, therefore, any other.
- With the fingertips the palpation must be done for which it is necessary to make a slight pressure but not on the area, but in the direction of the forearm.
- This pressure must be maintained for a few seconds before going on to explore other areas of the neck where this same process has to be done.
Tips for knowing if the node is swollen
With these steps, self-exploration or self-examination is done properly. Now, how can you tell whether or not the node is swollen? You'll also find it easy:
- When you put your fingertips on the nodes, you will notice that it moves when you touch it because it is not attached to the tissues. It is as if he were trying to move towards the area next door when the gentle pressure is exerted on him.
- The size of the node is about one centimeter, although it can also be smaller in some people.
- It doesn't hurt when touched.
If you do these steps well and no increased size or tenderness or pain is detected when palpating, everything is initially correct. Otherwise, you should go to the doctor.
Symptoms to detect a swollen node
Although we have already advanced in the previous section what it feels like when you do a self-examination of the nodes in the neck, it is important to be clear about the warning signs to detect inflammation and go to the doctor. Here are the symptoms of swollen nodes in the neck:
- Hardness: if the node is hard, you should go to the doctor without fail.
- Mobility: if the node does not move it is also important to consult with the doctor because it can be a sign of a more serious disease. And it is that, usually, the nodes move when palpated. If this does not happen it is because there may be a tumor that has adhered to the tissues of the area, which hold it and make it not move when palpated.
- Pain: in general, if the node hurts it is not as clear an indication of alarm as the previous two aspects, but as long as it moves and does not have a size that exceeds two centimeters. It is common for the pain to respond to a mild infection that is going to occur in the body, such as, for example, simple angina. However, if it hurts, the size is large and does not move, you have to go to the doctor. You should also go to the doctor's office if the pain persists more than a few days in a row.
- Size: If the node is two centimeters in size or more, it is important to visit the doctor, especially if this size is maintained for more than 15 days in a row.
- You have other symptoms: when the above signs are accompanied by weight loss without dieting or causing it to explain it, night sweats, fever that does not persist and you have difficulty breathing or swallowing well, you should go quickly to the doctor.
In addition to the prescription given by the doctor, you can apply some home remedies for swollen nodes that will allow you to lower the swelling.
What happens if the nodes are swollen – the causes
In general, when a node is swollen it is a sign that you may have an infection in the body, which is what makes them bigger, firmer and hurt. There are several possible causes behind this inflammation:
- Mild infections: it is the most common and can be due to infections in the oral cavity such as gingivitis, ears and even the scalp. They are mild infections and benign processes in most cases and are usually caused by angina, cold or flu. They are also due to other infections such as tuberculosis or dermatological problems.
- Trauma: having given a blow to the neck area or having had, for example, a traffic accident -even if it is mild-, can also cause the nodes to become inflamed.
- Tumors: A swollen node can also be an indicator that you have a tumor. Normally, those that are in this area are made with bad habits such as smoking or drinking alcohol in excess. For example, one of the guidelines that is usually followed is that if the tumor is on the left side of the neck, it probably corresponds to a tumor in the stomach, liver or in another part of the abdomen. If it is on the right side, in general, it is usually an indication of a possible tumor in the lung.
With these guidelines on how to detect swollen nodes in the neck, we hope to have helped you in a LIKE to know how to perform a self-examination to recognize inflammation. It is always advisable to go to the doctor in case of any doubt and to make the diagnosis and prescribe the treatment in cases where it is necessary.
