Just like the arms are very important in our daily lives, the legs also play an equally important role. We use our legs when we travel and ambulate—nothing can be more important than these functions that the legs perform. When our legs are impaired, it will be very hard to surpass a day’s worth of tasks and activities.
One of the worst things that can greatly impair our movement is when lymph nodes become swollen. A swelling of these lymph nodes can result to an impairment with one’s movement and ambulation. It would be extremely difficult to perform one’s duties effectively when there is something in between our groins that makes it so difficult to move to and fro. But what really causes swollen groin lymph nodes?
What Are Lymph Nodes?
Lymph nodes are essential constituents of the immune system because they aid in filtering the lymphatic fluids of harmful microorganisms. These lymph nodes are located all over the body and they respond once infection or injury occurs. The reason why these lymph nodes swell is due to the amount of microorganisms that it may contain inside it. Once the phagocytes are able to engulf them, and the infection has been healed or injury recovered, the lymph nodes will resume its normal size and appearance.
Causes of Swollen Groin Lymph Nodes
Swollen groin lymph nodes, medically termed as inguinal lymphadenitis, are a result of some infection or injury to the areas near these lymph nodes, most especially to the legs, lower torso, etc. In most cases, swollen lymph nodes can be due to such infections and injuries but in severe cases, swollen lymph nodes can also be an indication of malignancy.
Here are some common reasons why swollen groin lymph nodes can occur:
- Inguinal Lymphadenitis. Inguinal lymphadenitis is a common cause of swollen groin lymph nodes. This certain condition is caused by a bacterial infection most commonly. Apart from the tenderness and painful sensation in the groin, this may also lead to signs and symptoms like red rash in the legs, fever, and redness of the skin or erythema.
- Leukemia. Leukemia is actually known as a cancer of the blood, more specifically the white blood cells. In leukemia, there is an overaccumulation of white blood cells, most of which are immature and unable to function properly. With a lowered number of functional WBCs, our body becomes more vulnerable in developing infectious conditions.
- Skin Infections. Infectious condition involving the skin like cellulitis, skin abscesses, boils, and lymphangitis can also possibly lead to the swelling of inguinal lymph nodes.
- Venereal Diseases or Sexually Transmitted Infections. Sexually transmitted infections are very common and this is a collective term for conditions which are acquired through sexual contact with an infected person. This classification of diseases include gonorrhea, Chlamydia, genital herpes, genital warts, and among others, HIV which may lead to AIDS. The reason why they lead to swollen groin lymph nodes is because they infect the pelvic areas and therefore, the first nodes that will usually react to the condition are those adjacent, i.e. the groin lymph nodes.
There are no specific treatment for subsiding the swollen groin lymph nodes for the treatment should be targeted on the specific disease which is causing the swelling.
source: healblog
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