Procedures
Aug 27, 2020 · 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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Aug 13, 2018 · Treatment options for dealing with an enlarged spleen are usually aimed at reducing any noticeable symptoms and pain, while also tackling the underlying causes like a chronic disease, diet, lifestyle, infection and so on. Only as a last resort would a doctor decide to perform surgery to remove an enlarged spleen.
What are safe exercises with an enlarged spleen?
Dr. John Michalski answered. Orthopedic Surgery 37 years experience. Splenomegaly: Enlarged spleen can cause back, flank, and abdominal pain. You really do need to get it checked. Don't overdose on nsaids & tylenol ( acetaminophen ). 5.3k views Answered >2 years ago.
Can I work out with enlarged spleen?
Dec 08, 2020 · An enlarged liver and spleen, medically known as hepatosplenomegaly, occur when the liver and spleen swell beyond their normal size. The liver is a large accessory organ in the digestive system, responsible for a number of functions including bile secretion to break down food, storage of iron and vitamins, production of blood proteins, and elimination of old red …
Will diet changes help treat an enlarged spleen?
Post surgery care: Your surgeon will want to see you, and you should check in. Liver and gallbladder are on the right side, however some patients feel the pain/pressure ... Read More. 5.3k views Reviewed >2 years ago. Thank. Dr. Kenny Chuu and another doctor agree. 2 doctors agree.
How do you reduce enlarged spleen?
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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 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).
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 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.
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 is the function of the spleen?
The spleen filters blood, removing abnormal blood cells from the bloodstream. A spleen is normally about the size of your fist. A doctor usually can't feel it during an exam. But diseases can cause it to swell and become many times its normal size.
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.
Can a ruptured spleen cause blood loss?
A ruptured spleencan cause lots of blood loss and be life threatening. 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.
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.
Can a spleen be removed?
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 is needed, a surgeon is likely to remove the spleen using laparoscopy rather than open surgery.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Can a spleen be removed?
At that point, if it is impacting your health, your doctor may say that it’s necessary to have it surgically removed. This is a surgery called a splenectomy and it is an inpatient procedure that requires you to go under general anesthesia.
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 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.
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.
Who is Luba Lee?
This article was medically reviewed by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS. Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a board certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006. This article has been viewed 27,738 times.
What causes a spleen to enlarge?
There are many things that might cause a spleen to enlarge, including: 1 Viral, fungal and bacterial infections 2 Hemolytic anemia, in which the spleen destroys healthy red blood cells 3 Blood clots of the veins from the spleen or liver 4 Liver diseases, including cirrhosis 5 Cancers, such as leukemia and lymphoma 6 Metabolic diseases (storage diseases, which are related to lack of enzymes), such as Gaucher disease 7 Sarcoidosis 8 Amyloidosis 9 Felty syndrome, a disorder that combines rheumatoid arthritis, a low number of white blood cells (called neutropenia), and an enlarged spleen
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 metabolic diseases?
Metabolic diseases (storage diseases, which are related to lack of enzymes), such as Gaucher disease. Sarcoidosis. Amyloidosis. Felty syndrome, a disorder that combines rheumatoid arthritis, a low number of white blood cells (called neutropenia), and an enlarged spleen.
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 causes a large spleen?
Enlarged spleen causes include: 1 Bacterial infections 2 Viruses 3 Parasites 4 Alcohol or drug use 5 Inflammation related to a diet high in chemicals, preservatives, pesticides and other toxins 6 Cancer that has spread 7 Liver disease or cirrhosis 8 Blood diseases characterized by abnormal blood cells 9 Disorders of the lymph system 10 Autoimmune reactions and disorders, such as arthritis 11 Physical trauma to the spleen or an injury (such as a sports injury)
Why is my spleen swollen?
For example, viral infections, high alcohol intake, cirrhosis of the liver and parasitic infections are all risk factors for an enlarged spleen .
What is the function of the spleen?
In addition, spleen function includes helping keep the blood clean, transporting and balancing fluid levels, maintaining blood platelets, and ushering waste away from muscle and joint tissue.
How much does a spleen weigh?
For example, studies suggest that the spleen can range from 58 grams in a 79-year-old woman to 170 grams in a 20-year-old man.
Which organ is most vulnerable to toxins?
Like some of our other digestive system organs, including the liver and gallbladder, the spleen is especially vulnerable to the effects of various “toxins” or parasites entering the body, along with chemicals we take in from drugs, even some medications and prescriptions.
Where is the spleen located?
The Role of the Spleen. The spleen is a brown, oval-shaped organ located in the upper left side of the abdomen just below the rib cage. Part of the lymphatic system, it performs a number of important functions in the body that protect us from the effects of outside “invaders,” stress and certain deficiencies.
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What is the enlarged liver?
The liver is a large accessory organ in the digestive system, responsible for a number of functions including bile secretion to break down food, storage of iron and vitamins, production of blood proteins, ...
Can you feel your liver?
Normally, you would not be able to feel your liver, except, perhaps, when you take a deep breath. However, an enlarged liver can be easily palpated (felt) by your health care provider during an exam. The condition of having an enlarged liver is known as hepatomegaly. The spleen is part of the lymphatic system, which plays a role in immunity ...
What is the spleen?
The spleen is part of the lymphatic system, which plays a role in immunity and maintenance of healthy blood cells. It is an important organ and is affected by disorders of the blood, liver, and immune system. An enlarged spleen is known as splenomegaly. Although hepatosplenomegaly often produces no symptoms, it is known to cause abdominal pain in ...
What is the name of the enlarged spleen?
An enlarged spleen is known as splenomegaly. Although hepatosplenomegaly often produces no symptoms, it is known to cause abdominal pain in the upper portion of your abdomen. S eek prompt medical care if upper abdominal pain is persistent and its severity increases upon taking deep breaths or eating.
What causes a spleen to be enlarged?
Hepatic ( liver) causes of enlarged liver and spleen. Enlarged liver and spleen can also be caused by hepatic (liver) disorders including: Biliary atresia (blockage in the tubes that transport bile from the gallbladder to the liver) Cirrhosis (scarring of the liver)
Where is the liver located?
The liver is located in the upper-right quadrant of the abdomen, with the lower edge connecting to the lower edge of the rib cage. The body’s entire blood volume circulates through the liver approximately six times per minute, an enormous amount of fluid.
Can hepatosplenomegaly be detected?
Hepatosplenomegaly may accompany other symptoms, which vary depending on the underlying disease, disorder or condition. The condition may not always present with symptoms, but may be detected by your health care provider upon examination.
What is the definition or description of: enlarged liver and spleen?
Ask U.S. doctors your own question and get educational, text answers — it's anonymous and free!
Does an enlarged liver and spleen mean hepatitis?
Liver: Hepatitis is inflammation of liver. Enlarged spleen is different and mostly relate to blood disorder.
Can a person with an enlarged liver and spleen safely carry a baby to term?
Depends on the cause: Enlargement of the liver and spleen is not a trivial issue and it should be resolved before undertaking pregnancy. There are many causes of this abno... Read More
Hey i m suffering from enlarged liver and spleen does liv 52 help in recovering to my normal state?
No: No evidence to suggest that liv52 would help. Please address the underlying cause of liver disease.
What could be the cause of an enlarged liver and spleen, and high wbc?
Many things: If had to pick one disease that best fits with the data, i would pick chronic myelogenous leukemia. Other are mono, lymphosarcoma cell leukemia.
I have a enlarged liver and spleen and will any symptoms show?
It depends on the: underlying cause. If you have portal hypertension related to chronic liver disease, you may become jaundiced and develop ascites, and have significan... Read More
I have an enlarged liver and spleen and do not know that cause. what should i do?
See a doctor: The most important thing to do would be to see a doctor who will then try to find out the cause. This is not something to ignore in the hopes that it ... Read More
