Mesenteric adenitis is a condition that affects children and teens more often than adults. This condition occurs when the lymph nodes in the abdomen become swollen when trying to fight off a bacterial or intestinal infection.

Our AFC Urgent Care Chattanooga team highlights important info about mesenteric adenitis below, so keep reading.

What Causes Mesenteric Adenitis?

The most common cause is a viral or bacterial infection in the intestines, as we said previously. When an infection in the body occurs, the lymph nodes, which are a part of the body’s immune system, become inflamed as they try to keep an infection from worsening and spreading to the rest of the body.

Adenitis symptoms aren’t usually causes for serious concern, as the condition typically goes away on its own in between one to four weeks. We’ve listed its most common symptoms below.

Common Mesenteric Adenitis Symptoms

• Pain in the abdomen, often on the lower right side
• Abdominal tenderness
• Fever
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

How Can I Tell the Difference Between Mesenteric Adenitis and Appendicitis?

It’s true that these two conditions cause similar symptoms, as they both cause pain in the right side of the abdomen. However, one of the main differences is that mesenteric adenitics symptoms typically come after some sort of viral and bacterial infection, like the flu or a common cold. Appendicitis, on the other hand, comes on suddenly and is not preceded by any other illnesses.

Mesenteric adenitis is much less serious than appendicitis. It will usually go away without treatment, but if you believe your child has it, there are a few things he or she can do to feel better. We’ve listed them below.

Ways to Manage Symptoms

• Resting
• Drinking water to stay hydrated after vomiting and diarrhea
• Applying heat to the abdomen

We can provide quality care for all of your family’s non-emergency medical needs! You don’t need to make an appointment, so don’t hesitate to stop by our AFC center today.