Зміст
A swollen neck is a symptom that can accompany various diseases. Diagnosed with infections that cause enlargement of nearby lymph nodes. A disease characterized by an increase in neck circumference is mumps.
The neck contains many organs and structures, including the thyroid gland, throat, major blood vessels, lymph nodes, and salivary glands.
A swollen neck is a symptom of some viral diseases. This may be caused by infectious mononucleosis, commonly known as the kissing disease, which causes swollen lymph nodes. Infection occurs through airborne droplets, organ transplantation, hematopoietic cell transplantation, or blood transfusion. The disease leaves lasting immunity. Infectious mononucleosis usually occurs in people aged 15–24 years, i.e., in adolescence and early adolescence. In addition to neck swelling, it is manifested by general malaise, headaches, loss of appetite, chronic fatigue, apathy, absent-mindedness, enlarged spleen and liver, and swelling of the eyelids. There is no vaccine that prevents EBV infection.
A swollen neck is a symptom of measles
Swelling of the neck can also occur with measles, which is caused by the measles virus. This is a typical childhood disease. Infection occurs by airborne droplets. The disease provides permanent immunity. In addition to swelling of the neck in a child, measles is characterized by: fever, cough, lacrimation, rhinitis and conjunctivitis, photophobia, swelling of the eyelids, rash, white discoloration of the mucous membrane of the cheeks. As the disease progresses, shortness of breath, apathy, tachycardia, and anorexia may occur. An effective way to prevent measles is the vaccine, which is usually given in a three-part form (called MMR) against measles, mumps, and rubella.
A swollen neck is a symptom of mumps
Another viral disease characterized by swelling of the neck is the so-called mumps, i.e., widespread mumps. The disease develops mainly among school-age children. The mumps virus is responsible for its appearance. An increase in neck circumference is a consequence of hyperplasia of the parotid glands. The disease spreads primarily through airborne droplets. In approximately half of cases, the disease is asymptomatic. Other patients may experience: malaise, headaches, fever, muscle pain and mild aseptic meningitis. Swelling of the salivary glands, causing the neck to grow, causes pain when biting and opening the mouth. The skin of the neck becomes shiny, swollen, and tense. Mumps can be prevented through vaccination.
Swollen neck and cancer
A feeling of swelling in the neck, which is caused by enlarged lymph nodes that merge into so-called bags (hard, dense, motionless in relation to the ground, quite large – more than 2 cm), may indicate cancer. If such neck enlargement persists for more than 2–3 weeks, immediate consultation with a doctor is necessary. A possible diagnosis is Hodgkin’s lymphoma, also called Hodgkin’s lymphoma or lymphogranulomatosis.
The disease manifests itself:
- low fever,
- weight loss,
- skin itching
- enlarged cervical lymph nodes.
The affected nodes are hard, painless, the skin over them remains unchanged. This cancer of the lymphatic system can occur in people of all ages, but is most often diagnosed in people between 15 and 35 years of age. The reasons for its creation have not yet been precisely explained. Researchers point to genetic factors, viral infection (especially EBV) and inflammation.
Other causes of neck swelling
A swollen neck may be a symptom of a thyroid problem. The so-called thyroid goiter appears in the lower part of the neck. The lesion can be quite large, resulting in neck deformity. Patients may experience cough, hoarseness, shortness of breath, and neck pain. This condition is caused by: dietary iodine deficiency, inflammatory diseases of the thyroid gland (e.g., Hashimoto’s disease and Graves’ disease), and benign nodules (e.g., adenomas). An enlarged thyroid gland can also be a consequence of a malignant tumor of the thyroid gland. The most common form of cancer is papillary cancer.
A swollen neck is a symptom of cardiovascular disease
The feeling of a swollen neck is sometimes accompanied by issues with the cardiovascular system, which are manifested by the expansion of large vessels located in this place. This condition is a consequence of improper functioning of the heart muscle, which leads to stagnation of blood in the vessels. It can develop with coronary artery disease, congenital heart defects, untreated high blood pressure, after a heart attack, or when the heart is damaged due to a heart defect. Neck swelling accompanies some bacterial diseases, including: syphilis, cat scratch disease, tuberculosis, streptococcal tonsillitis.
