How To Cope With Mesenteric Lymphadenitis?

Mesenteric lymphadenitis is an inflammatory condition of lymph nodes in the mesentery. This condition causes the enlargement of the three or more lymph nodes to combat against the infection. It occurs mostly in children after stomach flu, respiratory infection or infection after eating undercooked contaminated pork. Pain in the lower right side of abdomen, fever, muscular ache, headache, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. It can be managed with rest, fluids, painkillers, antibiotics, antiviral medicines and moist heat.

How To Cope With Mesenteric Lymphadenitis?

You can cope with mesenteric lymphadenitis by the following-

Painkillers– painkiller such as paracetamol can relieve your pain in the abdomen.

Anti-Inflammatory Medicines– anti-inflammatory medicines such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, etc can control inflammatory condition and pain. However, aspirin is not recommended for children as it is found associated with Reye syndrome in children.

Antibiotics– moderate to severe bacterial infections can be effectively managed with antibiotics.

Antivirals– antiviral medicines can control the growth and multiplication of the viruses.

Rest– Adequate rest is the best way to cope with mesenteric lymphadenitis. It is recommended to take proper rest when you are suffering from an infection. As mesenteric lymphadenitis affect more commonly children, the children should be taught to take rest and avoid exertion such as playing outdoor sports, running or swimming. Rest improves your condition more quickly.

Plenty of Fluids– many physicians recommend consumption of lots of water in order to prevent dehydration in your body caused due to the mesenteric lymphadenitis. If you are unable to take a large amount of fluid at a time, you can opt for frequent sips of fluids. Your water intake and urine output should be proportionate. Urine should be light colored and clear. If it is dark in spite of good intake of fluids, you should consult your physician. The main reason behind this is that dehydration is marked by infrequent excretion of dark urine.

Moist Heat– you can apply moist heat directly to the site of mesenteric lymphadenitis pain to cope with it. This can relieve the pain to a great extent.

Diet Management– It is advisable to consume digestive foods like toast, gelatin, bananas, soda crackers, boiled vegetables, boiled potato rice and chicken. You should opt for healthy options and avoid spicy, highly seasoned junk food. If you feel nausea, then you should stop that food. You should avoid milk and milk products for a couple of days to rest the stomach as these products may upset the stomach. Alcohol, caffeine and nicotine should be avoided for few days to allow the healing of the abdomen. Avoiding fatty food for a couple of days helps a lot to get cured of mesenteric lymphadenitis quickly.

Mesenteric lymphadenitis is an inflammatory disease of lymph nodes located in the mesentery of the abdomen. The mesentery is a membrane that attaches the intestine with the abdominal wall. This infection affects three or more lymph nodes. Lymph nodes play an important role in the immune system. They fight infections by producing proteins against viruses, bacteria and other microbes and drain the destroyed microbes through the lymphatic channel.

In mesenteric lymphadenitis, the lymph nodes get swollen and inflamed. This causes pain and tenderness in the right side of the lower abdomen. Fever, nausea, vomiting, loss of weight and appetite with diarrhea are the common symptoms of this infection. It resembles appendicitis, Crohn’s disease and pancreatitis.

It is more common in children and teenagers. It usually occurs after a respiratory infection like a common cold, or stomach flu or an infection by bacteria named Yersinia enterocolitica which is caused by eating infected undercooked pork. It is rarely caused in association with cancer and HIV infection.

Mesenteric lymphadenitis resolves by itself in few days in mild cases. Medical intervention can help to settle the symptoms quickly.

Conclusion

Mesenteric lymphadenitis causes inflammation of the lymph nodes of the mesentery. It can be managed with painkillers, anti-inflammatory medicines, antibiotics, antivirals, rest, plenty of fluids and moist heat.

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Team PainAssist
Team PainAssist
Written, Edited or Reviewed By: Team PainAssist, Pain Assist Inc. This article does not provide medical advice. See disclaimer
Last Modified On:October 30, 2018

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