Procedures
Apr 14, 2009 · In most cases, treatment of the underlying cause of the enlarged spleen can prevent removal of the spleen. In some cases, the spleen will need to be removed surgically ( splenectomy ). If surgery...
Self-care
Surgery to address an enlarged spleen is called a splenectomy, and it involves the entire removal of the organ. Your body learns how to adapt without the organ, but spleen removal will put you at an increased risk of infection for the remainder of your life, so …
Nutrition
An enlarged spleen can usually be felt by a doctor during a physical examination. Other tests may include imaging, such as ultrasounds, CT scans, and MRIs. How is an enlarged spleen treated? Treatment depends on the etiology of the splenomegaly (what is causing the spleen to become larger). In certain cases, surgery is required to remove the spleen (an operation called …
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Many conditions — including infections, liver disease and some cancers — can cause an enlarged spleen. An enlarged spleen is also known as splenomegaly (spleh-no-MEG-uh-lee). An enlarged spleen usually doesn't cause symptoms. It's often discovered during a routine physical exam. A doctor usually can't feel the spleen in an adult unless it's enlarged. Imaging and blood tests can …
What are safe exercises with an enlarged spleen?
Mar 17, 2022 · An X-ray of the abdomen may be used to confirm the diagnosis of an enlarged spleen. Treatments for an enlarged spleen are generally directed to the underlying condition. In cases where the cause of the problem cannot be managed or the disease is recurrent, doctors may recommend a splenectomy, the removal of the spleen. People can usually survive without …
Can I work out with enlarged spleen?
Apr 11, 2022 · What foods heal the spleen? lentils. quinoa. oats. malted grain beverages. root vegetables including sweet potato and taro. pumpkin …
Will diet changes help treat an enlarged spleen?
Enlarged Spleen - Learn about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis & treatment from the MSD Manuals - Medical Consumer Version. MSD Manual Please confirm that you are not located inside the Russian Federation
How do you reduce enlarged spleen?
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How do you treat an enlarged spleen?
Your doctor might recommend surgery to remove your spleen (splenectomy) for diagnostic purposes when there's no identifiable cause for the enlargement. More often, the spleen is removed as treatment. After surgery to remove it, the spleen is examined under a microscope to check for possible lymphoma of the spleen.Sep 4, 2021
Can an enlarged spleen go back to normal size?
What Is the Prognosis for Enlarged Spleen? Depending upon the cause, the enlarged spleen may return to normal size and function when the underlying disease is treated or resolved. Commonly, in infectious mononucleosis, the spleen returns to normal as the infection gets better.
Is an enlarged spleen serious?
It's important to seek treatment for the cause of your enlarged spleen. Left untreated, an enlarged spleen can lead to serious complications. In most cases, treatment of the underlying cause of the enlarged spleen can prevent removal of the spleen.Aug 27, 2020
Can a swollen spleen heal on its own?
However, doctors now say that some spleen injuries can heal on their own, particularly those that are not very severe. People with spleen injuries who do not need surgery must still be monitored in a hospital, and they may need blood transfusions.Jun 4, 2020
What is the most common cause of an enlarged spleen?
Infections, such as mononucleosis, are among the most common causes of splenomegaly. Problems with your liver, such as cirrhosisand cystic fibrosis, can also cause an enlarged spleen. Another possible cause of splenomegaly is juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. This condition can cause inflammation of the lymph system.
Is water good for spleen?
To keep your spleen, lymphatic system and immune system working properly, you should drink plenty of water, exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight.Apr 29, 2021
How long does it take to recover from spleen surgery?
Recovering from surgery takes 4 to 8 weeks. You may have some of these symptoms as you recover: Pain around the incision for a few weeks. This pain should lessen over time.Mar 15, 2021
What are the symptoms of spleen problems?
SymptomsPain or fullness in the left upper belly that can spread to the left shoulder.A feeling of fullness without eating or after eating a small amount because the spleen is pressing on your stomach.Low red blood cells (anemia)Frequent infections.Bleeding easily.Sep 4, 2021
What foods heal the spleen?
Foods to eat for spleen qi include:lentils.quinoa.oats.malted grain beverages.root vegetables including sweet potato and taro.pumpkin and other squash.miso soup.orange peels.More items...
How can I reduce an enlarged spleen naturally?
Natural Remedies For Controlling Enlarged SpleenAnti-inflammatory diet. To get relief from enlarged spleen, you need to find out ways to control your diet and help to reduce inflammation. ... Do stress buster activities. ... Use of Essential Oils. ... Exercise to improve digestion. ... Maintain a healthy routine.Nov 6, 2021
What helps spleen pain?
Get plenty of rest for 2 to 3 months while your spleen heals. Avoid strenuous activities that could re-injure your spleen. These include lifting, jogging, aerobic exercise, and contact sports. Ask your doctor when you can go back to work, school, or your regular activities.
Can an enlarged spleen be treated with medication?
Some drugs can shrink an enlarged spleen. Your doctor might try chemotherapy, immunomodulators, and a drug called ruxolitinib (Jakafi). Radiation might help, too. However, you may need surgery to remove an enlarged spleen.
What is the best treatment for enlarged spleen?
Nettle infusions are also a good option to treat an enlarged spleen naturally. This plant has healing and anti-inflammatory properties that reduce infections and enhance biliar function and digestion, which is why it's so beneficial for this condition.
How to prevent spleen disease?
Increase your vitamin C intake. Vitamin C is found to be very effective in minimizing the risk of developing spleen related disorders. It is a natural antioxidant which boosts your immunity and helps in fighting against spleen related problems. It is also useful in replenishing your general overall health.
How to keep your spleen working?
Stay active. Staying active will prevent swelling and illness, and will keep your blood circulating through your body. Regular exercising will increase flow of blood to your digestive tract, and engage muscles so that the spleen keeps working as it should.
How to get rid of lymph nodes?
Essential oils like frankincense, cypress, oregano, myrrh and lemon are efficient in targeting infection directly in your lymph nodes. Mix a few drops of any of these oils in coconut oil or jojoba oil, and massage over your spleen 2-3 times a day.
Why is the spleen important?
The spleen is a very important organ that builds your strength, immunity and overall well-being. An unhealthy spleen can lead to anemia and fatigue, and may even affect the proper functioning of other digestion related organs, like colon, liver, stomach, rectum and uterus.
What is the spleen?
The spleen is the organ responsible for filtering blood, remove germs and cope with numerous diseases making it very important for the lymphatic system , although we will inevitably get sick sometimes. In fact, its swelling is one of the most common disorders it can suffer and we must be careful with this because this condition can lead ...
How do you know if you have an enlarged spleen?
The most common symptoms of an enlarged spleen are: Having anemia, because the spleen, as already mentioned, is one of the organs responsible for cleaning blood and ensuring red and white blood cells are strong and healthy. If the spleen is swollen, cleaning and purifying is not done correctly and causes an alteration in our red blood cells which ...
What is the procedure to remove a spleen?
This means the surgery is performed through small incisions. A laparoscope allows the surgeon to view and remove the spleen. If your spleen is removed, you cannot effectively clear certain bacteria from your body and will be more vulnerable to certain infections.
What causes a spleen to be enlarged?
Here are some common causes of an enlarged spleen: Infections. Viral infections, such as mononucleosis. Parasitic infections, such as toxoplasmosis. Bacterial infections, such as endocarditis (an infection of your heart's valves) Cancer. Leukemia, a cancerin which white blood cells displace normal blood cells.
Why is my spleen overactive?
For example, sometimes the spleen is overactive in removing and destroying blood cells. This is called hypersplenism. It can happen for many reasons, including problems with too many platelets and other disorders of the blood. Causes of an Enlarged Spleen.
Why does the spleen swell?
But diseases can cause it to swell and become many times its normal size. Because the spleen is involved in many functions, many conditions may affect it. An enlarged spleen is not always a sign of a problem. When a spleen becomes enlarged, though, it often means it has been doing its job but has become overactive.
What causes a large abscess?
A large abscess, a pus-filled cavity usually caused by a bacterial infection. Infiltrative diseases such as Gaucher disease, amyloidosis, or glycogen storage diseases. Symptoms of an Enlarged Spleen. Most people don't know they have an enlarged spleen because symptoms are rare.
How do you know if you have an enlarged spleen?
These are the most common symptoms of an enlarged spleen: Being unable to eat a large meal. Feeling discomfort, fullness, or pain on the upper left side of the abdomen; this pain may spread to your left shoulder. If you have pain that is severe or gets worse when taking a deep breath, see your doctor right away.
What tests are needed for a swollen spleen?
These may include blood tests, an ultrasound, or computerized tomography (CT) scan. In some cases, other tests may be needed. Treatments for an Enlarged Spleen.
Causes And Symptoms Of An Enlarged Spleen
The most common cause of an enlarged spleen is a viral or bacterial infection. As the epicenter of white blood cell production, it makes sense that the spleen would be affected by the presence of an infection. Common infections that can lead to an enlarged spleen include mononucleosis, syphilis, endocarditis and parasitic infections like malaria.
Diagnosing and Treating Spleen Enlargement
If you are dealing with the above symptoms, or you believe you’re dealing with an infection that’s causing problems for your spleen, seek out a gastroenterologist as soon as possible.
What to do if you have an enlarged spleen?
1. Take antibiotics if you have a bacterial infection. If you have an enlarged spleen, it may be that a bacterial infection in the organ is causing it to expand. If this is the case, your doctor will prescribe an antibiotic medication.
What causes a spleen to become enlarged?
Follow the specialized plan that your doctor creates for you. Some cancers that can cause your spleen to become enlarged include: Leukemia , which is a type of blood cancer. Treatment for leukemia usually includes a combination of radiation, chemotherapy, and a stem cell transplant.
Why is the spleen important?
This article has been viewed 28,467 times. The spleen helps to filter and maintain healthy red and white blood cells and platelets and also plays a role in the function of the immune system . If you have an enlarged spleen, these body processes will not function correctly and you need to get the problem treated.
How to recover from a spleenectomy?
Your doctor may recommend eating a nutrient-rich diet, staying hydrated, and getting plenty of rest.
What is mononucleosis?
Treat mononucleosis if it is causing your enlarged spleen. Mononucleosis, commonly known as mono, is a virus that causes extreme fatigue, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, and fever.
What is the treatment for Hodgkin's disease?
Hodgkin’s disease, which is a cancer of the lymphatic system. Treatment for this type of cancer usually includes chemotherapy and radiation. [18] X Trustworthy Source National Cancer Institute An agency in the National Institutes of Health focused on cancer research and patient support Go to source.
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What is the procedure to remove a spleen?
In certain cases, surgery is required to remove the spleen (an operation called splenectomy ).
How to tell if you have an enlarged spleen?
You may not have any symptoms from an enlarged spleen. However, you may: 1 Feel a kind of dull pain on the left side of the abdomen or in your back. 2 Feel full early, so that you can eat only small amounts. 3 Become anemic (and with that, be tired and/or short of breath).
Why is the spleen important?
The spleen is normally about the size of a fist. The spleen is important because it helps filter the blood. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center.
What are the diseases that cause blood clots in the liver?
Blood clots of the veins from the spleen or liver. Liver diseases, including cirrhosis. Cancers, such as leukemia and lymphoma. Metabolic diseases (storage diseases, which are related to lack of enzymes), such as Gaucher disease. Sarcoidosis.
What does it feel like to be on the left side of your stomach?
Feel a kind of dull pain on the left side of the abdomen or in your back. Feel full early, so that you can eat only small amounts. Become anemic (and with that, be tired and/or short of breath). Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center.
Is Cleveland Clinic a non profit?
Other tests may include imaging, such as ultrasounds, CT scans, and MRIs. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission.
What are the complications of an enlarged spleen?
Potential complications of an enlarged spleen are: Infection. An enlarged spleen can reduce the number of healthy red blood cells, platelets and white cells in your bloodstream, leading to more frequent infections. Anemia and increased bleeding also are possible.
What causes a spleen to be enlarged?
A number of conditions, including liver disease and some cancers, can cause your spleen to become enlarged. Your spleen is an organ located just below your left rib cage. Many conditions — including infections, liver disease and some cancers — can cause an enlarged spleen, also known as splenomegaly (spleh-no-MEG-uh-lee).
How does an enlarged spleen affect the body?
An enlarged spleen affects each of these vital functions. As your spleen grows larger, it filters normal red blood cells as well as abnormal ones , reducing the number of healthy cells in your bloodstream. It also traps too many platelets. Excess red blood cells and platelets eventually can clog your spleen and affect normal functioning.
What is the spleen?
Your spleen is an organ located just below your left rib cage. Many conditions — including infections, liver disease and some cancers — can cause an enlarged spleen, also known as splenomegaly (spleh-no-MEG-uh-lee). An enlarged spleen usually doesn't cause symptoms. It's often discovered during a routine physical exam.
What diseases affect the liver?
Parasitic infections, such as malaria. Cirrhosis and other diseases affecting the liver. Various types of hemolytic anemia — a condition characterized by early destruction of red blood cells. Blood cancers, such as leukemia and myeloproliferative neoplasms, and lymphomas, such as Hodgkin's disease.
Can a doctor feel a normal spleen?
Your doctor generally can't feel a normal-sized spleen in adults but can feel an enlarged spleen. Your doctor will likely request imaging and blood tests to help identify the cause. Treatment for an enlarged spleen focuses on the underlying condition that's causing it. Surgically removing an enlarged spleen isn't usually the first treatment, ...
Can an enlarged spleen cause pain?
An enlarged spleen may cause: No symptoms in some cases. Pain or fullness in the left upper abdomen that may spread to the left shoulder. Feeling full without eating or after eating only a small amount from the enlarged spleen pressing on your stomach. Anemia.