Living with Sclerosing mesenteritis
An inflammatory condition of the membrane that anchors the small intestine, which can cause belly pain, nausea, and weight loss.
Understanding Sclerosing mesenteritis
It mostly affects men in their 40s to 60s, but women and children can also be affected. Symptoms can include belly pain, nausea and vomiting, constipation or diarrhea, weight loss, and fever. Some people have a belly mass.
Signs & symptoms
GARD lists these symptoms in its summary:
- Belly pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Weight loss
- Fever
- A mass in the belly
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include autoimmune and inflammatory disease specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- autoimmune and inflammatory disease specialists (rheumatologists)
- Expert care
- Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with rare disease patient organizations for support
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
GARD says the cause is poorly understood. Suggested causes include earlier belly surgery or injury, autoimmunity, and infection.
Also known as: idiopathic sclerosing mesenteritis; igg4-related mesenteritis; isolated mesenteric lipodystrophy; lipomatous mesenteritis; liposclerotic mesenteritis; mesenteric fibromatosis
Patient organizations
Rare-disease groups that can help
- Global GenesRare Diseases · United States
- National Organization for Rare DisordersRare Diseases · United States
- Genetic AllianceRare Diseases · United States
- RARE FoundationRare Diseases · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Sclerosing mesenteritis.
Explore research for Sclerosing mesenteritis
Explore actively recruiting Sclerosing mesenteritis studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Sclerosing mesenteritis with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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