Is your spleen swollen too? Let's talk about this (Splenomegaly)!

Have you ever heard of an "enlarged spleen"? You may be a little curious about it. Or, a doctor may have told you or someone you know about it. Today, let's talk about what this enlarged spleen, or as doctors call it (Splenomegaly) , is, why it happens, and what can be done about it.

What is this spleen? What happens to it?

Simply put, the spleen is a small but very important organ in our body. Imagine it on the left side of your abdomen, in the upper part, exactly under your ribs, about the size of a fist. It is part of our lymphatic system and the immune system .

The spleen has several main functions:

• Blood purification: Like a filter, it removes old red blood cells and germs from our blood.
• Waste removal: Helps remove waste products from the blood and remove them from the body.
• Production of white blood cells: Another important function of the spleen is to produce white blood cells that our body needs to fight disease.

A healthy spleen is usually about 12 centimeters long and weighs about 70 grams. However, when the spleen becomes enlarged, it can grow to about 20 centimeters and weigh more than 1,000 grams. It's hard to imagine, right?

Why is this spleen swollen? What are the causes?

There can be a variety of reasons for a swollen spleen. Some of them are temporary and will go away on their own. But some of them can be symptoms of more serious, long-term illnesses.

Let's look at some of the main reasons:

• Infections: This is the most common cause.
• Viral infections: Examples include `(Mononucleosis)` (also called Keesin's disease) and `(HIV)`.
• Bacterial infections: such as `(Tuberculosis)` (tuberculosis), `(Endocarditis)` (infection of the inner layer of the heart).
• Parasitic infections: Infections like `(Malaria)` and `(Toxoplasmosis)` put pressure on the immune system of the spleen. Then the spleen starts producing more antibodies and immune cells than it needs, this is called `(Hyperplasia)` . This causes the spleen to swell.

• Liver disease: People with liver disease, such as chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis, can have increased pressure in the blood vessels that run through the liver and spleen. This is called portal hypertension . This pressure can cause blood to pool and cause the spleen to swell. Think of it like a clogged water pipe filling with water.

• Cancer:
• Cancers that develop in the blood, such as leukemia and myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs).
• Cancer of the lymph glands, that is, lymphoma.

When cancer cells like this enter the spleen and begin to multiply there, the spleen swells.

• Other reasons:
• Focal lesions in the spleen: The spleen can become enlarged due to a cyst, abscess, or metastatic cancer that has spread to the spleen.
• Autoimmune diseases: For example, long-term inflammatory conditions such as lupus, sarcoidosis, and rheumatoid arthritis can cause the immune system to become overactive and cause the spleen to swell.
• Blood disorders: In conditions such as hemolytic anemia (rapid breakdown of red blood cells) and neutropenia (decrease in a type of white blood cell), the spleen may become swollen as it has to work harder to remove these cells.
• Inherited metabolic disorders: Diseases like Niemann-Pick disease, Gaucher disease, and sickle cell disease cause various substances in the body to accumulate in the blood and be deposited in the organs. When these substances accumulate in the spleen, it becomes swollen.
• Thrombosis: If a blood clot becomes lodged in a blood vessel in the liver or spleen, the pressure increases and blood can pool, causing the spleen to swell.

Is a swollen spleen serious?

A swollen spleen is a symptom of a number of different medical conditions. Some may not be serious, but others can be quite serious. The most important thing is to see a doctor to find out exactly what is causing it. Only then can you decide if treatment is needed, and what kind.

Remember, if an enlarged spleen is left untreated, it can begin to lose its function. In rare cases, a severely enlarged spleen can rupture. If this happens, internal bleeding can begin and can be life-threatening.

If my spleen is swollen, what symptoms will occur?

Most of the time, you won't notice that your spleen is swollen. However, if symptoms do occur, they may include:

• Pain in the upper left side of the abdomen. This pain may also radiate to the left shoulder or back.
• Palpable spleen: Normally, we cannot feel the spleen with our hands. However, if it is swollen, a doctor may be able to feel it when examining the abdomen.
• Loss of appetite or feeling full even after eating a little: This can happen because an enlarged spleen is pressing on the stomach underneath.

If the spleen begins to function poorly, symptoms such as:

• Symptoms of Anemia: These include feeling weak, tired, and pale.
• Frequent colds or other infections.
• Easy bruising and bleeding.

What are the possible side effects of an enlarged spleen?

A swollen spleen can cause other problems.

• Tissue death: A severely swollen spleen may not receive enough blood supply. The tissues then become deprived of oxygen and nutrients and begin to die.
• Hypersplenism: An enlarged spleen can become overactive and begin to destroy too many blood cells (red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets). This can lead to conditions such as anemia, low white blood cells, or low platelets.
• Spleen Rupture: This is a very rare occurrence. However, an enlarged spleen can rupture if something hits the abdomen or if you fall hard. Sometimes it can rupture for no apparent reason. If the spleen ruptures, it is a life-threatening condition.

How do doctors diagnose an enlarged spleen?

You may go to the doctor with some stomach discomfort. Or, you may go with symptoms related to another illness. Sometimes, doctors find an enlarged spleen by chance, either during a routine checkup or while looking for something else.

A doctor may feel an enlarged spleen when examining your abdomen. This can also be confirmed by various tests:

• Imaging tests:
• An abdominal ultrasound or CT scan can be done to see if the spleen is swollen, how swollen it is, if there is a tumor, and if there is pressure on other organs.
• An MRI scan can show how blood flows through the spleen.
• Blood tests: If the cause is not clear, your doctor may order several blood tests. These can look for specific conditions, such as cancer, blood disorders, and liver function.
• Bone marrow analysis: Sometimes your doctor may take a small sample of your bone marrow (a bone marrow aspiration and/or a bone marrow biopsy). This can provide information about how your spleen is working and can also help diagnose certain diseases.

So, what do you do when your spleen is swollen? What are the treatments?

In most cases, the spleen returns to normal size once the underlying condition that caused the spleen to swell is treated. Some conditions, such as infections, get better on their own. Other conditions can be treated with medications, blood transfusions, or surgery.

Some diseases have no cure. In such cases, doctors may decide to give low-dose radiation therapy to reduce the swelling of the spleen, or to surgically remove the spleen (splenectomy).

What happens if the spleen is removed?

You can live well without a spleen. However, your immunity, that is, your ability to resist disease, will be slightly reduced.

• Your doctor may recommend that you get some vaccines to protect you from some of the common infections you are more likely to get.
• You will be asked to wear a medical ID bracelet so that medical professionals will know that your spleen has been removed.
• If you get sick, you may be given stronger antibiotics than usual.

If I have a swollen spleen, how do I take care of myself?

If you have a long-term swollen spleen, you should be careful not to injure your abdomen. Because an enlarged spleen is more likely to rupture, it is best to stay away from high-contact sports.

Also, your spleen may be underactive or overactive. So, be aware of signs of anemia (pallor, fatigue). Your doctor may also check your blood levels from time to time.

Are there any foods that are not good to eat when the spleen is swollen?

Doctors aren't entirely sure whether the food we eat directly affects our spleen. However, our diet has a big impact on our overall health. If you have an enlarged spleen, you can assume that your immune system is weak. So, a healthy diet is one of the easiest ways to protect your immune system.

Additionally, your diet can also affect the underlying medical conditions that cause your spleen to swell (especially inflammatory conditions and liver disease).

Doctors always recommend:

• Avoid or reduce your intake of fast and processed foods (packaged snacks, sweets, sausages, etc.). These foods increase inflammation in the body and increase LDL cholesterol, which is harmful to the liver and metabolism.
• Eat an anti-inflammatory diet . This means eating more fresh, whole foods (vegetables, fruits, and vegetables) and unsaturated fats (found in fish and nuts).

When should I seek immediate medical attention for a swollen spleen?

If you feel increasing pain in the area where your spleen is located, that is, in the upper left side of your abdomen or in your left shoulder, especially if the pain is worse when you breathe, seek medical advice immediately.

A ruptured spleen is most likely to occur when something hits the abdomen. But sometimes it can just burst. Even a small rupture can cause a small amount of bleeding, but if not treated promptly, the condition can quickly become serious. If treated quickly, you may be able to avoid the need for surgery.

Finally, things to remember (Take-Home Message)

So, from what we've discussed today, you can see that a swollen spleen is not something to take lightly. It could be a sign of an underlying health problem. If it's temporary, it may not be a big deal to your overall health. However, if it's persistent, it could be damaging to your spleen and potentially dangerous.

Therefore, if you think you have an enlarged spleen, or if you have symptoms related to it, the best thing to do is to see a doctor and get checked out. The doctor will find the cause and treat it accordingly. Don't panic, but don't ignore it either!

Splenomegaly , Spleen, Abdominal Pain, Symptoms, Treatment, Causes