Mesadenitis in children, symptoms, treatment and diet. Mesadenitis in children, treatment and diet

General information

There are hundreds of lymph nodes in the abdominal cavity that protect against the spread of infection. When the mesenteric glands react to the introduction of pathogens, they enlarge and become painful, causing discomfort in the abdomen.

Mesenteric adenitis is more often diagnosed in childhood. The danger of the disease is due to the fact that there is a high risk of a purulent process. A rupture of an abscess is fraught with the development of peritonitis (inflammation of the peritoneum), which can cause death. Also, in severe cases of the disease, there is a possibility of sepsis – blood poisoning.

Interesting! Research shows that those who have had mesadenitis in childhood and adolescence have a reduced risk of developing ulcerative colitis.

The causes of mesadenitis are most often associated with an attack by pathogens. Already formed foci of infection in other organs, for example, the intestines or bronchi, play a great role in the pathogenesis (mechanism of development) of pathology. Viruses and bacteria can enter the lymphatic system through the intestinal lumen, blood or lymph.

Mesadenitis develops against a background of weakened immunity. The etiology of the process is often associated with existing diseases of the digestive tract. Pathology can be acute or chronic. The first case is characterized by a sudden increase in clinical symptoms and the presence of pronounced accompanying signs. Chronic lymphadenitis has an erased course. The process takes a long time.

Mesenteritis can be nonspecific (simple and purulent), tuberculous and pseudotuberculous. The exact causes of the first type of disease are still unknown. When tuberculous mycobacteria enter the mesentery, the second type of mesadenitis develops.

Mesadenitis psychosomatics. Psychology - understanding ourselves and people

Psychosomatics: inflammation of the lymph nodes

Psychosomatics

As we know, the lymphatic system plays an important role in the human body. It is what cleanses the blood and organ cells from waste and debris, and also protects against viruses and pathogenic bacteria. So, when foreign bacteria enter the body, the lymph node in a certain part of the body begins to produce a large number of lymphocytes, which rush to defense.

Moreover, if the lymphocytes of a certain lymph node do not have time to cleanse their area for some reason, then the microbes accumulate and inflammation and enlargement of the lymph node (lymphadenitis) begins. Lymphedema (or lymphostasis) is swelling of the arms or legs, as well as an organ. If mature lymphocyte cells degenerate, then a tumor disease (lymphogranulomatosis) begins.

Psychosomatics of lymph nodes

When considering the psychosomatics of the lymph nodes, we will proceed from the above two functions: cleansing and protection. The question arises: What causes the lymph node to produce a large number of lymphocytes, so much so that the lymphoid tissue increases, if there are no visible physical “enemy bacteria”?

This means that there are reasons of a psychological nature invisible to the eye. For example, if the cleansing function suffers, this may indicate that the person does not want or cannot cleanse the inner world of certain negative experiences.

Psychological causes of inflammation of the lymph nodes

So, let’s look at the negativity that the lymphatic system wants to get rid of:

a persistent feeling that a person cannot protect himself from someone (unpleasant people) or something (unpleasant events, relationships) - then the protection function in a certain lymph node is triggered, and it becomes overflowing with unnecessary lymphocytes. Unnecessary - because physics does not need them (but the psyche needs protection);
feeling of guilt due to a person’s failure to meet someone’s expectations. If he has to do what he “should” or “should” (or be like this) in order to maintain good relationships in a certain area, the corresponding part of the body reacts.
It happens that a person does not see the point in the actions required of him, but is forced to perform them. Then stagnation occurs in the lymph vessels and swelling appears, as the person (child) inside “goes on strike” and rebels. This negativity, again, accumulates and causes such a reaction in the body.

Negative experiences can be compared to pathogenic bacteria that can block the functions of lymph vessels. So, often a person ceases to value himself, begins to live in dissatisfaction with himself (this may be due to failures at work, in the family, in school, in creativity, etc.) - and a protective signal is triggered in a certain place in the body.

In children, the lymph nodes in the neck often become inflamed because they have to say what is required and “not say too much.” They, due to their natural sincerity and naivety, cannot understand “why?” And a contradiction arises in the soul, which blocks the ability to speak with an enlarged lymph node in the throat.

Often, adult children experience (not without the help of parental pressure) strong (deadly) shame that they did not live up to their hopes. This can lead to lymphogranulomatosis (or Hodgkin's lymphoma).

What is the healing?

If the reason is a person’s negative experiences, then, of course, physical healing will come only through mental healing. It is necessary to look at a seemingly negative situation from the other side. For example, even if you, an adult, are forced from your point of view to do meaningless work, then try to look at it from the point of view of the one who instructed you to do it. By understanding it, you will help yourself get rid of negativity and illness.

Remember: it is you who “color” the perception of the situation with your emotions into negative or positive. Each of your negative reactions works to worsen the condition of the lymph and the body as a whole. The choice of what to “paint” is yours, but you will also be responsible for the consequences.

I hope this article will serve as a hint to someone.

Causes

The development of mesenteric lymphadenitis results from the entry of pathogenic microorganisms into the lymph nodes. Bacterial and viral infections can enter there from the inflamed intestinal wall or be carried in blood from chronic foci of infection. Thus, the disease can be diagnosed against the background of tonsillitis, infectious processes in the kidneys, and respiratory tract.

The risk group for the occurrence of mesenteric lymphadenitis includes patients with weakened immunity or congenital immunodeficiency. Mesenteric lymphadenitis is not an independent pathology, but a consequence of an existing infectious process in the body. The causative agents of the disease can be:

viruses – cytomegalovirus, herpes virus, adenovirus, enterovirus;
nonspecific bacteria - salmonella, E. coli, staphylococci, streptococci;
specific bacteria - Yersinia, Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Enteroviruses are the main cause of frequent watery diarrhea, increased gas formation and abdominal pain. The herpes virus can cause infectious and oncological processes in the body.

Medications

The selection of medications for drug treatment is carried out only on the basis of diagnosis. It allows you to determine what type of disease is bothering the child and understand what microbacteria caused inflammation of the lymph nodes in the abdominal cavity.

Antimicrobial drugs are prescribed depending on the sensitivity of the pathogens:

The nonspecific form of lymphadenitis is treated with antibiotics of the cephalosporin and macropid groups.
Manifestations of tuberculous mesadenitis are treated with antibiotics of the rifampicin, aminoglycoside and other groups.
In the general treatment of the disease, the following are also prescribed: antispasmodics (relieve pain spasms);
analgesics (relieve severe pain);
adsorbents (prevent intoxication, at the beginning of treatment they are administered intravenously into the body, and subsequently drunk);
vitamins (to strengthen the immune system).

Treatment of mesadenitis should be carried out by qualified doctors.

For it to be successful, it is necessary to quickly determine the reason why the nodes in the abdomen have increased.

Delay in choosing the right treatment can lead to swelling around the tissue adjacent to the lymph nodes, as a result, scars will appear, and connective tissue will begin to grow, which can lead to the formation of lymphostasis.

Symptoms

Symptoms of mesadenitis in adults occur suddenly. They depend on the nature of the pathogen, as well as the form in which the pathology occurs. The patient complains of severe pain in the umbilical area. The intensity of the pain syndrome increases over time. The pain can acquire a constant aching character, or, on the contrary, it can be spasmodic in the form of attacks. It can last from several hours to a couple of days.

Pain may appear in the upper abdomen. Sometimes patients cannot accurately indicate the location of the painful spasm. Manifestations of lymphadenitis are often confused with symptoms of acute appendicitis. Discomfort increases with changes in body position, coughing and movement. As the pathology progresses, the pain does not subside. This is an important difference from appendicitis.

Along with pain, signs of digestive disorders develop:

nausea;
vomiting that does not bring relief;
dry mouth;
loss of appetite;
hiccups;
constipation or diarrhea;
increase in body temperature. In this case, the patient’s general condition usually remains normal.

Symptoms of mesenteric lymphadenitis are similar to those of acute appendicitis and ectopic pregnancy

Patients experience instability in blood pressure, as well as increased heart rate and breathing rates. Catarrhal symptoms also appear: hyperemia (redness) of the pharynx and face, runny nose, cough. The illness usually lasts several days and in most cases goes away without treatment. In some cases, you cannot do without qualified help.

If severe abdominal pain is accompanied by fever, diarrhea, or vomiting, be sure to consult a doctor. Purulent inflammation is much more complicated. The disease disrupts overall well-being, causing fatigue and apathy. Chills appear, the temperature rises above 38. When palpating the abdominal cavity, an increase in pain is observed.

Important! Patients are referred to a surgeon with suspected development of acute appendicitis. Only a full examination helps to identify mesadenitis.

Prevention

The prognosis for this disease is quite favorable, but subject to timely detection and treatment. When the form is advanced, a life-threatening condition occurs. Prevention of the disease consists of identifying and treating chronic forms of inflammation, strengthening the immune system, proper nutrition and periodic preventive medical examinations.

The best measure to prevent mesadenitis is timely treatment of infectious diseases in children.

It is necessary to accustom children to a healthy lifestyle, rational nutrition, personal hygiene to exclude infections of the digestive tract, genital organs, and oral cavity, and carry out specific anti-tuberculosis prophylaxis. To prevent yersiniosis, you need to thoroughly wash the vegetables you eat and heat them. This bacterium lives in vegetable warehouses, in basements, cellars on the surface of vegetables and even inside carrots and cabbage.

If there are purulent rashes on the child’s skin, you should visit a doctor. Pus can get into the mouth with saliva and further into the intestines and abdominal cavity, which can cause mesadenitis.

Specific prevention has not been developed; only general recommendations are given:

Timely identification of foci of chronic infection and their treatment. Particular attention is paid to dental caries and nasopharyngeal pathology.
Maintaining immunity: physical activity, hardening, taking vitamins, etc.

Following a diet and sanitizing foci of chronic infection can reduce the frequency of exacerbations of the disease and avoid the development of complications.

To prevent mesadenitis, periodic medical examinations and maintaining a healthy lifestyle (walking in the fresh air, hardening) are of great importance.

Despite the severity of the disease and a number of possible complications, its prognosis, given the development of modern medicine, is favorable. However, complete cure can be achieved only with timely diagnosis and proper therapy. It is very important to consult a specialist in a timely manner, which not all patients do.

In case of late initiation of treatment, severe complications are possible, which often threaten the patient’s life. We are talking about pathological conditions such as sepsis, peritonitis and intestinal obstruction.

To prevent mesadenitis, chronic inflammatory foci should be promptly identified and treated. They are the ones who can lead to the development of this disease. Preventive measures include timely medical examinations, which is especially important for people with weakened immune systems. Such patients should strengthen their immunity by taking vitamin complexes prescribed by the doctor, hardening the body and taking regular walks in the fresh air.

Considerable attention should be paid to nutrition. It is advisable to include as many vegetables as possible in your diet, avoiding spicy, over-salted, fried foods. It should be remembered that it is better to prevent this disease than to treat it.

To prevent a child from getting mesadenitis, it is necessary to promptly treat infectious diseases and not allow them to become chronic.

Let's consider the basic requirements for the prevention of mesadenitis:

Elimination of chronic diseases: bronchitis and sinusitis, when the nasopharynx becomes inflamed;
tonsillitis, tonsillitis and otitis;
kidney inflammation;
inflammation of the intestinal mucosa;
dysbacteriosis.

Strengthening the child's immunity using hardening.

Visit the dentist every six months.

Considering the fact that the signs of mesadenitis are similar to the symptoms of gastrointestinal diseases (intestinal pain, fever, loose stools, nausea and vomiting), the patient needs to get advice and be examined by a highly qualified doctor. Therefore, given the severe complications and difficulties in diagnosing the disease, patients should not postpone a visit to the doctor.

And if pain suddenly appears in the abdominal area, you should immediately visit a surgeon. After undergoing diagnosis, small patients with mesadenitis are treated by a phthisiatrician.

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Complications

What complications can arise after mesadenitis? Mesenteric lymphadenitis usually responds well to conservative treatment. However, the progression of the pathology can lead to the development of complications and the need for surgery. Among the most likely consequences of mesadenitis, experts highlight the following:

suppuration of the lymph nodes;
abdominal abscess;
peritonitis;
generalized lymphadenitis;
sepsis;
adhesive formations;
intestinal obstruction.

Abscess

An abdominal abscess is a localized abscess. The formation and progression of the disease is facilitated by the presence of the following bacteria:

aerobic group: Proteus, Escherichia coli, staphylococci, streptococci;
anaerobic group: clostridia, bacteroides, fusobacteria.

In the early stages, there are no symptoms characteristic of this particular pathology. Patients have a high body temperature, chills and tachycardia. There is severe nausea and loss of appetite. The muscles of the anterior wall of the abdominal cavity are sharply tense. There is also paralytic obstruction in the anus.

Abdominal pain above the navel

As the pathology develops, severe discomfort appears in the abdomen, stool and urination are disrupted. With the development of pathology in the subphrenic region, pain appears in the hypochondrium, radiating under the scapula.

The pain intensifies when you inhale. The patient’s walking also changes – the body tilts to the side. The most effective treatment for an abscess is surgery. In case of extensive purulent process, an incision is made in the anterior wall of the abdominal cavity.

For small abscesses, a drainage method is used. At any stage of the disease, antibacterial agents are prescribed. In addition, drugs are prescribed to suppress intestinal microflora.

The insidiousness of the disease is that even after surgery and cleansing of the organ, it can recur. If there are several abscesses, the prognosis is poor. According to statistics, from ten to thirty-five percent of patients die from an abdominal abscess.

Treatment of lymph nodes

As mentioned above, usually enlarged lymph nodes do not require treatment and go away on their own. That is, the barrier functions of the body after an infection remove toxic substances and decay products from the body and inflammation goes away.

Conservative therapy involves treatment in a hospital. The patient must limit physical activity and ensure rest. The doctor prescribes antibacterial drugs that have a wide spectrum of action, anti-inflammatory drugs. It is also necessary to treat the underlying disease that caused mesadenitis. In addition, drugs that enhance immunity, as well as painkillers and antispasmodics are prescribed.

In children, pain is relieved with drotaverine, analgin, No-shpa, ketorolac, etc. Intoxication is relieved with infusion solutions, for example: Hemodez or Neocompensan. Physiotherapeutic procedures are also indicated; the most effective are UV irradiation compresses made from therapeutic mud or Vishnevsky ointment.

The use of warming ointments and heating pads is contraindicated. It is necessary to avoid foods that stimulate digestion (sour or with the use of various seasonings). For mesadenitis, table No. 5 is indicated with the exception of salty, spicy, fatty foods, meat products and semi-finished products, and bread.

In case of purulent form of mesadenitis, surgical intervention is indicated. The abscess is opened and drained, followed by an inspection of the abdominal cavity. During the recovery period, physical therapy exercises under the supervision of a specialist are recommended.

Differential diagnosis

The diagnosis is made based on test results. If lymphadenitis is suspected, the examination should be carried out in full and cover all organs. Diagnosis begins with a general examination, collection of complaints and medical history. Then additional research methods are carried out. Specialists prescribe ultrasound, MRI, and general blood tests.

Let us conduct a comparative analysis with pathologies that are often confused with mesenteric lymphadenitis. First, let's talk about lymphogranulomatosis. In both cases, there is an increase in lymph nodes and an increase in body temperature. The difference is that with lymphogranulomatosis there is profuse sweat. Lymph nodes are painful and even with treatment they do not shrink.

Helminthiasis is also often confused with mesadenitis. The disease is also characterized by abdominal pain, weakness and lethargy. However, in this case, the temperature increases cyclically, at regular intervals. Antibodies to parasites are also present in the blood.

Appendicitis is another pathology with which differentiation is made in mesadenitis. With inflammation of the appendix, the symptoms of peritoneal tension are positive. The pain is usually localized in the lower right side.

What is mesadenitis?

The disease mesadenitis is inflammation of the lymph nodes located in the mesentery (the abdominal fold of the intestine, through which the small intestine is attached to the wall of the abdomen).

As you know, the abdominal cavity contains about 500 lymph nodes, which do not allow infections to spread and take all the “fire upon themselves.”

Thus, inflammation and even suppuration may occur in the nodes. This disease is more common in children and adolescents.