What are lymph nodes and how to understand them correctly

Speaking of lymph nodes, I believe every adult is familiar with them. When the body is inflamed, we often feel lumps or protrusions under the neck, armpits or groin, or feel pain. So what are lymph nodes? What role does it play in people's health? Let’s get to know them below.

Lymph nodes are distributed throughout the human body and play a vital role in the human immune system. When there is a problem with your health, your lymph nodes will react to varying degrees. The main function of lymph nodes is to filter lymph, produce lymphocytes and plasma cells, and participate in the body's immune response. When there is a local infection, bacteria, viruses or cancer cells may invade along the lymphatic vessels, causing local lymph node swelling. If the lymph nodes cannot prevent and eliminate them, the lesions may spread and metastasize along the flow direction of the lymphatic vessels.

What are swollen lymph nodes?

Generally speaking, the diameter of a normal lymph node is O. 2cm-0.5cm, soft texture, smooth surface, no adhesion to surrounding tissues. If the diameter of the lymph node is larger than o. 5cm is considered enlarged lymph nodes.

Lymph node enlargement is a phenomenon in which the volume of the lymph nodes increases due to internal cell proliferation or tumor cell infiltration. Common clinical signs can be found by touching the submandibular, neck, supraclavicular fossa, axilla and groin areas, but enlarged lymph nodes in the body such as the hilum of the lung, mediastinum, retroperitoneum and mesentery can only be discovered by X-ray, CT and B-ultrasound.

If the lymph nodes are mildly enlarged, soft, movable, and not accompanied by other symptoms, no treatment is needed for the time being and the changes should be closely observed. If they do not increase in size or gradually become smaller, observation can continue. If the enlarged lymph nodes are large, numerous, in clusters, hard, grow rapidly, and adhere to surrounding tissues, and are accompanied by symptoms such as fever and weight loss, you should go to the hospital for treatment in time and be alert to the possibility of serious diseases such as malignant tumors.

Things to note when preventing lymph node disease

1. Develop good living habits.

2. Maintain a good attitude, stable emotions, have a healthy eating habit, eat more fruits and vegetables, and improve your immunity.

3. If you have to work in an environment with heavy oil smoke, try to protect yourself, such as wearing a mask, going out regularly to breathe some fresh air, and having an inspection at least once a year.

4. Keep away from tobacco, alcohol, drugs, radiation, pesticides, noise, volatile harmful gases, heavy metals and other toxic and harmful substances.