Mesenteric Lymphadenitis

What is mesenteric lymphadenitis?

Mesenteric lymphadenitis is the inflammation (swelling) of the lymph nodes in the abdomen (belly). Lymph nodes are organs that are part of your body’s immune system. They filter harmful substances such as bacteria and viruses so that they don’t spread to other parts of your body. Lymph nodes are about the size of a pea, but they can get larger and become tender when inflamed.

The word “mesenteric” refers to inflammation occurring in the mesentery, which is a fold of membrane that attaches your bowel to the wall of your abdomen.

Who does mesenteric lymphadenitis affect?

Mesenteric lymphadenitis is common in children and teenagers. It usually doesn’t occur in adults or people over 20 years old.

What are the symptoms of mesenteric lymphadenitis?

Symptoms of mesenteric lymphadenitis range in severity. Symptoms of mesenteric lymphadenitis could include:

  • Pain in the abdomen, often on the lower right side of the belly.
  • Tenderness in the abdomen.
  • Fever.
  • Nausea and/or vomiting.
  • Diarrhea.

What causes mesenteric lymphadenitis?

Lymph nodes can swell because of an infection or they could be a symptom of a condition that causes inflammation.

Infections –

An infection by a virus or bacteria usually causes mesenteric lymphadenitis. Infections that could cause mesenteric lymphadenitis include:

  • Gastroenteritis (sometimes called the stomach flu).
  • Bacteria found in undercooked meat (Yersinia enterocolitica).
  • Infection related to HIV.
  • Tuberculosis.

Inflammatory conditions –

Inflammation in your child’s abdominal lymph nodes could be the result of another condition that creates another part of your body to swell including:

  • Appendicitis
  • Cancers (lymphoma, gastrointestinal cancer).
  • Diverticulitis
  • Inflammatory bowel disease.
  • Pancreatitis.

How is mesenteric lymphadenitis diagnosed?

To diagnose mesenteric lymphadenitis, your child’s healthcare provider will perform a physical exam and review your child’s medical history. They will also ask questions about your child’s symptoms including how long they’ve had them and if they were recently sick before their symptoms started. They may even recommend blood tests, including a complete blood count (CBC).

Your provider may use imaging tests, such as an ultrasound or CT scan, to rule out appendicitis, which is a medical emergency

Management and treatment -

Conventional medicines like painkillers and antibiotics are generally prescribed during an acute attack of mesenteric lymphadenitis.

What role does Homeopathy have?

Since viruses and bacteria can cause mesenteric lymphadenitis, the following precautions should be taken, to stop the spread of microorganisms:

  • Homeopathic medicine helps reduce pain and inflammation during the acute attack.
  • Prevents recurrences and improves immunity
  • Clears up chronic infections and pre-disposing conditions which cause inflammatory mesenteric lymphadenitis.
  • Resolves all other physical, mental and emotional issues resulting in holistic wellness.

How do I prevent mesenteric lymphadenitis?

Since viruses and bacteria can cause mesenteric lymphadenitis, the following precautions
should be taken, to stop the spread of microorganisms:

  • Washing your hands before and after touching raw food.
  • Keeping your food preparation areas clean.
  • Cooking raw food, especially meat, to an internal temperature of 165°F
  • Using separate utensils and cutting boards for meat and vegetables and
  • Avoid drinking untreated water, especially from ponds or lakes.

Sharing the before and after images of sonography (USG) of a young patient. Young child (6 years old) was suffering from abdominal pain and loss of appetite, diagnosed as inflammation of the lymph nodes in the abdomen (mesenteric lymphadenitis) in Sept 2017. After the first course of Allopathic medicines for few months, it recurred and she underwent a second cycle of treatment with antibiotics and anti-parasitic meds in 2018.

In March 2019, she started getting pain in the abdomen again and unwilling to go through the same treatment for the third time, they started Homoeopathy. Not only was the patient
symptom-free within a couple of months, sonography in 2020 did not show any abnormality. No recurrences for over 2 years now (May 2021) and her other issues are resolved too.

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