Is your spleen swollen? (Splenomegaly) - Don't worry, let's talk about this!

Have you ever felt a slight heaviness, discomfort, or pain in the left side of your abdomen, just below your ribs? Perhaps you feel full even after eating a little? These could be symptoms of an enlarged spleen, a silent worker in your body. Don't be alarmed by the name. This is often just a symptom of another medical condition. Let's keep it simple from the start.

First, let's see, what is this spleen?

Simply put, the spleen is part of our body's immune system and lymphatic system. It's like a 'filter' that cleans our blood. It's located in the upper left side of your abdomen, just below your left rib cage. In a healthy person, the spleen is a small organ about the size of a fist, about 12 centimeters long, and weighs about 70 grams.

His main duties are:

• Blood purification: Removes old and damaged red blood cells from the blood and removes waste products.
• Fighting infections: Helps produce white blood cells needed to fight infections.
• Blood cell storage: Cells such as platelets and white blood cells are stored.

If for some reason the blood passing through the spleen or the spleen itself is affected, it begins to swell. It can then grow as large as 20 centimeters and weigh over 1000 grams (1 kilogram). There are many reasons for this swelling. Some are temporary, but others can be a sign of a long-term condition.

Is a swollen spleen serious?

This is the problem that many people have. Spleen swelling is not a disease, it is a symptom of another disease. Just like having a fever. Fever is not a disease, it is a symptom of an infection in the body. That's how it is.

Therefore, the severity of this depends on the underlying cause. Your doctor will first try to find out exactly what is causing the swelling. Some causes are not that serious, but others need to be treated immediately.

But if left untreated for a long time, the spleen can stop working. Very rarely, a severely swollen spleen can rupture. This is a life-threatening emergency.

What are the symptoms of a swollen spleen?

Most of the time, you may not notice any symptoms even if your spleen is slightly swollen. However, as the swelling increases, certain symptoms may appear. Let's break these down into two parts.

Why does the spleen swell? Some of the main reasons

There are many things that can cause the spleen to swell. Let's take a look at the main ones.

What complications could arise if this continues?

Usually, the spleen returns to normal once the underlying cause is treated. However, if left untreated for a long time, several problems may arise.

• Hypersplenism: The enlarged spleen begins to "work" too much. This means it captures and destroys too many healthy red blood cells, white blood cells, and even platelets. This can lead to anemia, infections, and bleeding.
• Tissue death: If the spleen becomes unbearably large, it may not have enough blood supply. This can cause tissue death in some parts of the spleen due to lack of blood supply.
• Rupture: This is the most serious and immediate complication . A severely enlarged spleen can rupture if there is a hard blow to the abdomen (e.g., an accident, a fall) or, rarely, spontaneously. If this happens, massive bleeding into the abdomen can be life-threatening.

How do you find this, Doctor?

When you see a doctor with the symptoms you mentioned above, he or she will perform several tests to confirm the condition and find the cause.

1. Physical examination: First, the doctor will palpate your abdomen. An enlarged spleen is usually felt.

2. Imaging tests:

• Ultrasound scan: This can be used to easily and painlessly check the size and shape of the spleen.
• CT scan: This can provide more in-depth information about the spleen and the condition of surrounding organs.
• MRI scan: This helps to see things like how blood flows through the spleen.

3. Blood tests: A complete blood count (CBC) will be done to check your red and white blood cells and platelet counts. Blood tests can also look for signs of infection, liver function, and cancer.

4. Bone marrow analysis: In some cases, a bone marrow aspiration/biopsy may be performed to take a small sample of the bone marrow, where blood cells are produced. This can provide a lot of information about blood-related diseases.

How is spleen enlargement treated?

After finding the cause, the doctor will prescribe the appropriate treatment.

• If there is an infection, antibiotics or other medications will be given to treat it.
• If it is cancer, it refers to the necessary treatments (e.g. chemotherapy).
• If it is a liver disease, it will suggest appropriate treatment and lifestyle changes.

In most cases, when the underlying cause is treated, the spleen gradually shrinks to normal size.

However, in some chronic conditions, if the spleen continues to swell or if it causes severe symptoms, the doctor may consider other options.

• Radiation therapy: Low-dose radiation can be given to reduce the size of the spleen.
• Splenectomy: If no other way of controlling the condition is possible, surgery may be required to completely remove the spleen.

Is it possible to live without a spleen?

Yes, it is definitely possible. You can live well without a spleen. However, the body's immunity is somewhat reduced. In particular, the risk of being infected with certain bacteria increases. Therefore, a person who has had their spleen removed is recommended by their doctor to receive several special vaccinations. Also, it is very important to wear a medical ID card or bracelet stating that they do not have a spleen, and to tell the doctor if they become ill.

If you have a swollen spleen, how do you take care of yourself?

If your doctor has confirmed that you have an enlarged spleen, there are a few things you should be aware of.

• Avoid injuries to the abdomen: An enlarged spleen is more likely to rupture. Therefore , stay away from contact sports such as rugby and football. Also, avoid activities that put pressure on the abdomen.
• Watch for symptoms: Watch for signs of anemia, such as fatigue and paleness. Get your blood tested regularly, as your doctor recommends.
• Healthy diet: Although there is no specific food that directly affects the spleen, it is important to maintain overall health and immunity. Reduce the intake of packaged, processed and fast foods as much as possible. These cause inflammation in the body. Instead, add fresh vegetables, fruits, legumes, and fish to your diet.

When do you need to see a doctor urgently?

This is very important. If you experience the following symptoms, it may be an emergency.