Mesenteric adenitis sounds more serious than it really is. This condition affects mostly children and teens, and it often goes away on its own without the necessity of medical care.
Keep reading to learn more about what it is and how to treat it from our AFC Urgent Care Gastonia team.
What Is Mesenteric Adenitis?
Mesenteric adenitis (also known as mesenteric lymphadenitis) is the swelling of the lymph nodes in the abdomen. Although technically anyone at any age can get it, it’s rare among adults and most common among children and teens.
Mesenteric adenitis is most often caused by a viral or bacterial intestinal infection. When the intestines become infected, the body’s lymph nodes become swollen as they work to prevent the infection from spreading to the rest of the body. Although adenitis can be painful, it doesn’t cause any lasting medical issues and will usually clear up on its own between one and four weeks.
Common Mesenteric Adenitis Symptoms
- Pain in the abdomen, often on the lower right side
- Abdominal tenderness
- Fever
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
How Can I Treat Mesenteric Adenitis?
Because mesenteric adenitis is frequently caused by a viral infection, it will often need to run its course before it will go away. This condition has no long-term effects on your child’s health and will go away in one to four weeks.
However, if the infection is bacterial, your doctor will almost certainly prescribe an antibiotic to treat it. We’ve listed some of the most effective ways to help your child feel better in the meantime below.
Ways to Manage Symptoms
- Resting
- Drinking water to stay hydrated after vomiting and diarrhea
- Applying heat to the abdomen
Is your child feeling rough? If so, we’re here to help! We’re open seven days a week, so don’t hesitate to stop by our AFC center today.
