Do you know about this little protector in your body? Everything about the Spleen!

Have you ever heard of an organ called the "spleen"? Maybe you haven't heard much. But would you be surprised if we told you that this is a little hero who quietly performs a very important service inside our body? In fact, this small organ does a great job in protecting our body. Today, let's talk about this organ called the Spleen, what its function is, what problems it can cause, and why we need to be aware of it.

What is the spleen? Where is it located?

Okay, first let's see what this spleen is, and where it is located in our body. Imagine that it is on your left side, right above your stomach, to be precise, under your rib cage, and it is a soft, spongy organ about the size of your fist (that's about 4 inches long). It is a dark red-purple color. Some say it is the size of a small mouse. However, it is not a very large organ, but it does a lot of work!

The spleen is like a super-security checkpoint and cleaning station inside our body. Just like a water filter purifies water by removing dirt and unnecessary things, the spleen helps keep our blood clean by identifying and removing old, dysfunctional red blood cells, as well as germs that sneak into our body and try to cause diseases.

Now let me tell you something else. The spleen is a very important part of our lymphatic system . You may be wondering, "What is this lymphatic system?" Simply put, it is a system of small roads and drains that run throughout our bodies. This system helps to maintain the balance of fluids in our bodies (we call it 'fluid between tissues'). Also, this lymphatic system plays a big role in fighting harmful things like germs that enter our bodies and protecting us from diseases. A clear, slightly yellowish water-like fluid called ``lymph'' flows through this system. This also contains proteins, salts, and white blood cells that protect our bodies. So the spleen is like a main center that supports the work of this lymphatic system.

So, what are the main functions of the spleen? Let's find out exactly!

The spleen is a very important and indispensable member of our immune system – the body’s defense system that protects us from disease. Just like a skilled soldier defending a country, the spleen protects our body. Let’s take a look at some of the amazing things this little organ does:

• Filtering blood: This is one of the main functions of the spleen. Just think, the entire blood in our body passes through the spleen several times a day. In doing so, the spleen works like a brilliant detective . That is:
• Removal of old and damaged red blood cells:Our red blood cells also have a certain lifespan (about 120 days). When they get old and can't work properly, the spleen recognizes them, breaks them down, and separates the valuable things they contain, such as iron, so that they can be used again by the body. It's like getting rid of old stuff and selecting the good ones.
• Removal of abnormal blood cells: In some diseases (for example, in some anemia conditions), abnormal, misshapen red blood cells can form. The spleen recognizes and removes these cells.

• Fighting germs: The spleen is like a training camp and battlefield for fighting germs . How does that happen?
• Inside the spleen are a large number of special types of white blood cells . These are what we call `(lymphocytes)` and `(macrophages)`.
• A type of cell called ``Lymphocytes'' produces antibodies. These antibodies are like specialized weapons. They produce antibodies that are specific to each germ and inactivate those germs.
• Cells called ``Macrophages'' are like "eater cells." They engulf and destroy germs, bacteria, and viruses in the blood that passes through the spleen. They are also the ones that break down old red blood cells.

• Blood and blood cell count control: The spleen stores a portion of the total blood in our body (especially red blood cells and platelets). In an emergency, for example, if there is a large amount of bleeding from an injury, the spleen releases some of this stored blood to help the body. It's like a little 'power bank'!

• Iron storage: The spleen temporarily stores some of the iron that is released when red blood cells are broken down. This iron is then sent to the bone marrow to make new red blood cells.

Look how much work this little organ does!

What kind of problems can occur with the spleen? Let's be aware!

Even though the spleen is so important to our body, sometimes it can also have problems. Let's see what they are.

Spleen Injury

This is the most common problem with the spleen. How does the spleen get injured?

• A hard blow to the abdomen: A hard blow to the left side of the abdomen during sports (e.g., rugby, boxing), fights, or a car accident can damage the spleen.
• Broken ribs: Sometimes, if a lower rib on the left side is broken, a piece of the broken rib can injure the spleen.

When the spleen is injured, it can either be torn (lacerated) or bruised (bruised) . Doctors classify this injury into levels based on the severity of the injury. There are usually levels from 1 (one) to 5 (five). Level 1 is the least serious, and level 5 is the most serious and possibly life-threatening condition.

Important: If you ever experience a sharp blow to the stomach, severe pain in the upper left abdomen, dizziness, or difficulty breathing, it is very important to seek medical advice immediately. This could be a sign of damage to the spleen.

In the past, even if the spleen was slightly injured, doctors would often perform a surgery called a splenectomy, which involves removing the entire spleen . But that's not the case anymore. Because doctors know how important the spleen is to our immune system, they do everything they can to help the injured spleen heal without removing it. Most of the time, minor bruises and sprains heal with plenty of rest and by limiting physical activities like running, jumping, and lifting weights for a while . Sometimes, you may need to stay in the hospital for observation. Only if the damage is severe is surgery considered.

Enlarged Spleen / Splenomegaly

Some diseases can cause the spleen to become larger than normal, that is, to swell. In medicine, we call this `(Splenomegaly)` (splenomegaly). There are several reasons why this can happen:

• Some infections: For example, viral infections like `(Infectious mononucleosis)` (mononucleosis - some people also call it the "kissing disease", right?), parasitic infections like malaria, and some bacterial infections can cause the spleen to swell.
• Liver disease: Liver diseases such as cirrhosis can also cause an enlarged spleen.
• Blood diseases: The spleen can also swell in some types of cancer, such as leukemia, lymphoma, and some anemia conditions.
• Storage diseases: In rare conditions like Gaucher's disease, certain substances accumulate in the spleen, causing it to enlarge.

As the spleen gets bigger, it becomes more susceptible to injury. Therefore, if you have an enlarged spleen from an illness like mononucleosis, it is important to avoid contact sports and activities that can cause abdominal pressure until it returns to normal size. Otherwise, even a small object can rupture the spleen.

Reduced Spleen Function / Hyposplenism or Asplenia

In some cases, a spleen may be present but not functioning properly. Or, a person may be born without a spleen (this is very rare).

• For example, people with the hereditary blood disorder ``Sickle cell disease`` have their spleen continuously damaged from a young age, and after a while it shrinks and stops working (called ``autosplenectomy``).
• There are people who have had their spleen surgically removed (a `splenectomy`).

People who do not have a spleen or who have a spleen that does not work properly are at increased risk of developing serious illnesses from certain bacterial infections (especially spike bacteria such as Pneumococcus, Meningococcus, and Haemophilus influenzae type b). This is because they do not have a primary defense mechanism to filter out these germs. Therefore, people like these:

• It is very important to get special vaccinations .
• Doctors may also recommend taking low-dose antibiotics daily .
• If you develop a fever or other signs of infection, it is essential to seek medical advice immediately .

Is it possible to live without a spleen?

This is a problem for many people. Yes, it is possible to live without a spleen. After the spleen is removed, some of the work it used to do (especially removing old red blood cells and fighting germs) is taken over to some extent by other organs, such as the liver and bone marrow.

But, remember, not having a spleen does not mean that you are completely defenseless. However, your immune system will be slightly weakened. Therefore, as mentioned earlier, you are at a slightly higher risk of contracting certain infections. That is why doctors give the necessary vaccinations and advice.

Therefore, it is very important for someone who has had their spleen removed to take extra care of their health, follow medical advice exactly, and seek immediate treatment if any signs of infection appear .

So, what are the most important things we need to remember? (Take-Home Message)

From all that we've talked about, you've probably understood that the spleen is a little hero in our body that does many silent but very important jobs. Let's finally remind ourselves of these facts:

• The spleen is a key player in our body's defense system and blood purification process. It is not an essential organ, but having it provides us with great protection.
• This small organ gives our immune system a lot of strength. It does many things, such as filtering blood, removing old cells, fighting germs, and storing blood.
• The spleen can be damaged by an accident (for example, a blow to the stomach). If this happens, seek medical advice immediately. But don't worry, most of the time these injuries can heal with proper rest and medical supervision . Removing the spleen (`splenectomy`) is not always necessary.
• Some diseases, such as infections like ``Infectious mononucleosis'', blood diseases like ``Sickle cell disease'', and liver diseases, can cause the spleen to swell or its function to be impaired. In such cases, it is very important to follow the doctor's instructions exactly .
• People without a spleen (removed surgically or otherwise inoperable) are at increased risk of certain infections.Therefore, it is essential to get the vaccinations recommended by doctors, take antibiotics if necessary, and always take care of your health .

So, now you know a lot about this small, but very powerful protector inside your body. Don't forget to think about it and take care of your whole body! Because health is the most valuable thing.

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