The lymphatic system has an important part known as occipital lymph nodes. These nodes are present at the back portion of the head. Lymph nodes in their normal stage indicate the proper health, but at its swollen stage, it just indicates the inflectional influence or illness.
It means Swollen Occipital Lymph Nodes indicate infection due to bacteria/ virus or any other illness. In case anyone desires to feel it, then he will not be able to feel it genuinely.
However, fluid in the lymph builds nodes, and this causes swollen in its condition. The nodes take place when there is any disease or infection. Information about occipital lymph nodes makes a person aware of his improper health condition.
Exact Location of Occipital Lymph Nodes?
Normally, the limitation of the number of lymph nodes is 700. There are certain areas where lymph nodes are available, including the groin, neck and armpit. Now, the question is, where occipital lymph nodes are present?
This kind of lymph node is present on the backside of your head. This portion is the base of the skull. Unless this part gets swollen, anyone cannot be able to feel it. Some experts say that lymph nodes have suboccipital lymph nodes.
Importance of Occipital Lymph Nodes?
A body needs proper resistance power, and to make everything perfect, you need to have a healthy immune system. The proper condition of occipital lymph nodes is an indication of a healthy immune system.
When a patient goes to a doctor, the doctor checks occipital lymph nodes by his hand on the backside below the skull. The appearance is just like a bean seed.
Functions of Occipital Lymph Nodes
- They filter impurities as well as harmful materials that body contains
- WBC or white blood cells are present in the lymph nodes. These are always ready to fight against infections.
If swollen occipital lymph nodes are present, it is clear that the person is suffering from any health problem.
The fluid flowing from the scalp, head, and face passes through the lymph. So, if anyone has a problem with these parts, then lymph gets swollen. It means the lymph nodes do not work properly to take care of your health by fighting against germs.
Symptoms of Swelling in Occipital Lymph Nodes?
To know whether the lymph nodes have welled, anyone can think about these following features:
- Pain in the lump is the prime indication to know about swollen lymph.
- When a person is suffering from an infectious disease, then he can easily feel the swollen lymph.
- In case of respiratory, bacterial infection, viral infection, sore throats, runny nose etc. happens and lymph nodes swell.
- In rheumatoid arthritis as immune disorders, the problem influences the body and almost all lymph nodes to swell.
Causes of Swelling of Lymph?
Getting swollen lymph is an indication of illness. But, how it influences the lymph nodes? Let us know a brief explanation of its causes:
1. Bacterial Infection
This can be a prime reason because scalp problems occur due to bacteria, then toxins produce. Along with that, debris is also passed through the lymph, and when WBC fights against the problems of these infections, then swelling takes place.
These nodes are present at the lower portion of the skull. Sometimes other problems like fever, runny ear or hearing problems can be seen.
2. Fungal Infection
This type of infection affects occipital lymph nodes and can grow the size than their normal state. The neck gets pain in the upper side due to swelling, and scalp infection is prime.
The hair loss, dandruff and other scalps that
3. Viral Infection
This infection is responsible for swelling only in the occipital area. Rubella is considered a viral infection, and it affects the glands in the head and the neck.
Doctors suggest taking sufficient rest to the patients to get rest to recover their condition easily.
4. Cancer
There are different types of cancers, and some infect the nodes of the occipital lymph, which creates a hazardous condition.
The expert always suggests that if anyone gets swelling of the lymph nodes, which is occipital, you must go to the doctor immediately.
5. Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
This one is a kind of cancer, and it affects the lymphatic system. However, this disorder tends to affect any lymph node, and the occipital lymph node can be one of them.
When Should I Go to the Doctor
- Swelling of lymph node is the prime indication to visit the specialist.
- If lymph nodes get larger continuously, you need a checkup
- In case of hard lymph nodes, you should go to a doctor.
- For different health indications as high fever, nighttime sweating or losing weight.
Now, it is clear that how occipital lymph nodes are important for the health of a person. It is also significant to know that these lymph nodes get swollen when anyone feels health problems.
Problems may be related to viruses, bacteria, fungi and some particular type of cancer. So, no one should delay when he feels any pain in the occipital lymph nodes. It is also clear now that the immune system disorder is the prime reason for the swelling of these nodes.
Though there are many lymph nodes in the body, each one is important for the body. These nodes refine impurities, but at the time, due to infection or illness, these nodes get swollen because the fluid does not have the ability to fight against these infections and are unable to refine properly. However, if anyone goes to the doctor at the right time, he can easily get rid of the problem.
