Mesenteric adenitis sounds serious, doesn’t it? Although it’s fairly common among children and young teens, it doesn’t normally cause any serious or life-threatening health complications.

Our AFC Urgent Care Greenwood team highlights what you need to know about this condition below, so keep reading!

What Causes Mesenteric Adenitis?

Mesenteric adenitis refers to inflammation of the lymph nodes in the abdomen. The most common cause is a viral or bacterial infection in the intestines.

If the intestines become infected, the lymph nodes swell up and cause abdominal and stomach pain. Although it can be uncomfortable to experience, this condition doesn’t usually last longer than a couple of weeks and will often go away on its own without medical treatment.

Common Mesenteric Adenitis Symptoms

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

Is Mesenteric Adenitis Cause for Serious Concern?

No, it’s not. Mesenteric adenitis is often mistaken for appendicitis, since symptoms of the two conditions are often the same and they cause pain in the same region of the abdomen. However, appendicitis calls for immediate medical attention and, in most cases, surgery to prevent the appendix from rupturing and causing further catastrophic damage to the body.

Although mesenteric adenitis is rarely serious, it can cause some concerning symptoms at times. If your child experiences the symptoms below, visit our AFC center to learn what your next steps should be.

When to See a Doctor

• Your child has episodes of sudden, severe abdominal pain
• Your child has episodes of abdominal pain with fever
• Your child has episodes of abdominal pain with diarrhea or vomiting

Although mesenteric adenitis is most common among children and young teens, it can affect anyone at any age. Don’t hesitate to visit our AFC Urgent Care Greenwood team today to get care for this condition or any other non-emergency ailment!