Glands are specialized organs throughout the human body that produce and secrete substances like hormones, enzymes, sweat, and oils. These secretions are crucial for various bodily functions, including digestion, metabolism, immunity, and temperature regulation.
Understanding the Term
The medical term for gland inflammation is “adenitis.” This term combines “adeno-” (referring to a gland) and “-itis” (a common medical suffix for inflammation).
Inflammation represents a biological response of the body’s tissues to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants. This process aims to eliminate the injurious agent, clear out damaged cells, and initiate tissue repair. The classic signs of inflammation include redness, swelling, heat, pain, and sometimes a temporary loss of function in the affected area. Adenitis is a general term, referring to inflammation in any type of gland within the body.
Types of Glands Affected
Lymph glands, also known as lymph nodes, are small, bean-shaped structures that are part of the immune system. They filter lymph fluid and house white blood cells to fight infection. When these become inflamed, the condition is specifically called lymphadenitis.
Salivary glands, located in and around the mouth, produce saliva essential for digestion and oral health. Inflammation of these glands is known as sialadenitis.
Sweat glands, found across most of the body’s surface, produce sweat primarily for thermoregulation and waste removal. Inflammation of sweat glands is referred to as hidradenitis.
Sebaceous glands, which are microscopic glands typically connected to hair follicles, secrete an oily substance called sebum that lubricates the skin and hair. When these glands become inflamed, it is known as sebaceous adenitis.
Other glands, such as the thyroid gland in the neck, which produces hormones regulating metabolism, can also become inflamed, a condition known as thyroiditis. Similarly, inflammation of the pancreas, a large gland involved in digestion and blood sugar regulation, is termed pancreatitis.
What Causes Gland Inflammation
Gland inflammation, or adenitis, can arise from several general categories of causes. Infections are a frequent culprit, with bacteria, viruses, or fungi directly invading glandular tissue. For instance, viral infections are a common cause of mesenteric adenitis, which involves the lymph nodes in the abdomen. Bacterial infections, such as those caused by streptococcus or staphylococcus, can also lead to lymphadenitis.
Autoimmune conditions represent another significant cause, where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own healthy tissues, including glands. In these cases, the immune response, intended for protection, instead targets and inflames the gland.
Blockages can also trigger inflammation, particularly in glands that have ducts to release their secretions, such as salivary glands. If a duct becomes obstructed, the accumulated secretions can lead to swelling and inflammation.
Physical injury or trauma to a gland can directly induce an inflammatory response as the body attempts to repair the damaged tissue. Less commonly, certain medications or systemic diseases can also contribute to glandular inflammation. Sometimes, the precise reason for adenitis remains unknown, despite thorough investigation.