From colds to cancer: What does swollen lymph nodes signal? Hematologist Kuznetsov named 4 non-infectious options

Lymphadenopathy can be non-tumor and tumor

Why enlarged lymph nodes should cause concern in a person, a hematologist and therapist told Doctor Peter Oleg Kuznetsov.

In a healthy state, our lymph nodes are lumps 5-10 mm in diameter. But there are so many of them, up to a thousand, that they make up about 1% of our mass.

They themselves are united into a common network and connected to the venous system. Their responsibilities include several functions, including the production of lymphocytes – immune cells.

That is why the most common reason for their increase is infection, this is the response of immune cells. But lymph nodes also enlarge in other cases – non-infectious ones.

Oncohematological diseases. These include acute and chronic leukemia, lymphomas.

Systemic diseases. These are lupus erythematosus, sarcoidosis, rheumatoid arthritis.

Metabolic disorders.

Reaction to medications.

Therefore, it is important to find out whether some medication should be stopped or whether it is time to get tested for malignant neoplasms.

Previously, we told you what spices make coffee an elixir of health.