How To Prevent Mesenteric Lymphadenitis?

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. It resembles appendicitis, Crohn’s disease and pancreatitis. The infection causes pain in the lower right side of the abdomen, high temperature, body ache and other symptoms similar to flu. It occurs mostly in children after stomach flu, respiratory infection or infection after eating undercooked contaminated pork.

Mesenteric lymphadenitis cannot be preventable in each case. It is a bacterial or viral infection whose risk can be controlled to some extent.

The measures that can be adopted to prevent mesenteric lymphadenitis are-

Maintaining Self-Hygiene– self-hygiene can prevent a number of infections including mesenteric lymphadenitis. You should wash your hands regularly with soap and water.

This helps to destroy bacteria and viruses that have the potential to infect other people.

Avoidance of Sick People– avoiding contact with sick people as virus and bacteria can be easily spread to another healthy person through, air, water or direct exposure to their materials like clothes or utensils.

Disinfection– disinfection is the best way to prevent the infection of any kind including mesenteric lymphadenitis. It is recommended that the places where food is prepared and common places like bathrooms should be disinfected regularly. These places are more likely to get contaminated in daily uses.

Mesenteric adenitis is a condition characterized by the inflammation of three or more lymph nodes of the abdomen. These lymph nodes are located in a membrane named mesentery that connects the small intestine to the abdominal wall. Lymph nodes are small organs that are bean-shaped and comprises of white blood cells. Lymph nodes play an important role to maintain the immune system. Any bacteria or virus that enters the body is filtered by lymph nodes. It commonly affects children or young adults.

This mesenteric lymphadenitis can be caused by bacteria, virus, parasites and other microbes. The lymph nodes filter them to swell up and inflamed causing abdominal discomfort. They play an important role in the immune system. They pick the causative organism of the infection and clear them from the rest of the body. It usually occurs after-

• Respiratory infection from viruses, bacteria or parasite
• Gastroenteritis from virus or bacteria
• An infection by bacteria named Yersinia enterocolitica which is caused by eating infected undercooked pork.
• An HIV infection
• Tuberculosis
• Rarely cancer of breast, lung, pancreas or GIT

Mesenteric lymphadenitis symptoms resemble appendicitis, inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, connective tissue disease like lupus, sclerosis or rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation of membrane of large intestine i.e. diverticulitis and inflammatory disease of pancreas i.e. pancreatitis.

The mesenteric lymphadenitis symptoms may develop in children after a cold or respiratory infection. They are-

• Pain is felt in the lower right side of the abdomen, radiating to other parts of the belly.
• High temperature
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• General fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Diarrhea

These mesenteric lymphadenitis symptoms are mild in the beginning, it resolves by itself in a few days without treatment. Medical intervention relieves the symptoms quickly. However, it may complicate into sepsis in severe cases.

Mesenteric lymphadenitis is diagnosed by blood tests, MRI scan, CT scan, and ultrasound

Painkillers and anti-inflammatory medicines are helpful to reduce pain and swelling. Adequate rest, consumption of lots of fluid and moist heat is recommended to control symptoms. Antibiotics or antiviral medicines are prescribed in severe cases to prevent complications.

Mesenteric lymphadenitis is an inflammatory condition of the lymph nodes of the mesentery that causes typical pain located at the lower right side of the abdomen. It can be prevented by maintaining self-hygiene, avoiding contact with infected people and disinfection.

Also Read:

• Are There Any Alternative Treatments For Mesenteric Lymphadenitis?
• How Is Mesenteric Lymphadenitis Diagnosed?
• Is Mesenteric Lymphadenitis Dangerous?
• What Are The Complications Of Mesenteric Lymphadenitis?
• What Are The Risk Factors For Mesenteric Lymphadenitis?
• How Do You Treat Mesenteric Lymphadenitis?
• Is Mesenteric Lymphadenitis Cancer?