Do you sometimes feel a strange feeling in your stomach, a pain that you can't quite figure out, or a feeling of fullness and heaviness? Maybe you feel like you're holding something in your stomach and it's moving around. There could be a reason for this, but today we're going to talk about a rare condition that many people haven't heard of. That's the condition called 'Wandering Spleen' , which means the spleen moves from place to place in Sinhala.
Simply put, what does this wandering spleen mean?
Okay, first let's look at what this 'Wandering Spleen' is. You know, like all the organs in our body, they're not just fixed in one place. They have little bands that help hold them in place, called ligaments . Our spleen is also an organ. It's a small organ about the size of our fist. It's usually located on the left side of our abdomen, just inside the rib cage, just above the stomach.
So, if the ligaments that help keep the spleen in place become weak, or if those ligaments are not properly positioned from birth, then the spleen can move around, "walk" around, from its normal position. That's what we call a 'Wandering Spleen'.
Now imagine what could happen when you move from place to place like this:
- The spleen can twist: Just like when we squeeze a wet cloth, the spleen can suddenly twist. This is called 'Splenic Torsion' in medical terms. When this twists, it can cause severe abdominal pain.
- Can press on other organs: As the spleen moves around, it can press on and press on other nearby organs.
- Blood flow to the spleen can be cut off: Sometimes, the spleen can be twisted, and the blood vessels that supply it can be twisted, causing the blood flow to the spleen to be completely or partially cut off. When this happens, the tissue in the spleen begins to die. This is called 'Splenic Infarction' .
However, sometimes this 'Wandering Spleen' condition can be present without any symptoms. There are some people who, when undergoing an abdominal scan, for example a CT scan , for some other illness, accidentally discover that their spleen is not where it should be.
So, what service does the spleen provide to our body?
You may be wondering, "Why do we have this spleen in our body?" The spleen is part of our lymphatic system . Simply put, it's like a bodyguard. It has a few main functions:
- Stores and filters blood: The spleen stores some of our blood, and also helps to purify it by removing things like old red blood cells from the blood.
- Protects against diseases: Another important function of the spleen is to help fight germs that enter our body. That is, it provides great support to our immune system.
Normally, the spleen is connected to our stomach and kidneys by ligaments. When that connection is lost, the previously mentioned 'Wandering Spleen' condition occurs.
How common is this condition?
In fact, this condition called 'Wandering Spleen' is very rare . According to medical reports, only about 500 such patients have been reported worldwide. That means it is doubtful whether even one in a million people will develop it. According to research, about a third of these reported patients are children under the age of 10, who were born with this condition. It is also said that sometimes this condition can occur after pregnancy.
What are the symptoms of this?
There are several common symptoms that can be seen in the case of 'Wandering Spleen'. But remember, these symptoms do not occur in everyone, and some people may not have any symptoms at all.
- Bloating: Feeling like your stomach is bloated, just like a balloon.
- Recurrent stomach pain: This pain may be intermittent, a little intense, or unbearable. It may come and go, subside, and then come back.
- Nausea and vomiting: Nausea and vomiting may occur along with stomach upset.
- A lump that moves around in the stomach: Some people may feel something like a small ball or bar of soap when they touch their stomach. When you squeeze it, it may feel like it moves around a bit.
- Pain in the upper left abdomen: This could be a sign of an enlarged spleen.
Imagine, a friend of yours, let's say Nimalini. She has been having a slight pain in the left side of her stomach for months. Some days it's unbearable, and she even vomits. When she sees a doctor and does an ultrasound of her stomach, she discovers that her spleen is not where it should be, but rather a little lower and a little twisted. That's what an experience can be like.
What causes this?
There are two main causes of the 'Wandering Spleen' condition:
1. Congenital: When a fetus is growing in the womb, the ligaments that hold the spleen in place may not develop properly. If that happens, this condition is congenital.
2. Something that happens later:
- Pregnancy: For some women, during pregnancy, due to hormonal changes and the stretching of the abdomen, the ligaments that hold the spleen in place may become loose. If this looseness persists after childbirth, a 'Wandering Spleen' may develop.
- Accident or injury: This condition can occur if the spleen is damaged by a severe accident or injury to the abdomen, and the ligaments are also damaged.
What complications can this cause?
Although 'Wandering Spleen' is a rare condition, it can sometimes lead to serious complications. As mentioned earlier, the main ones are splenic torsion and splenic infarction.
Additionally, very rarely , this condition can cause a condition called pancreatic tail necrosis . This is because the spleen is very close to the pancreas. So when there is a problem with the spleen, it can sometimes affect the pancreas as well.
How do doctors find this?
If you have the symptoms mentioned above, the first thing a doctor will do when you see you is to examine you thoroughly. They will especially feel your abdomen, checking for any unusual lumps or pain when you press on it.
Then, they will order tests that can look inside the abdomen to see exactly what's going on. The most important of these are:
- CT scan (Computed Tomography - CT scan): This test can take clear pictures of the organs inside the abdomen.
- Abdominal ultrasound: This can also be used to see the condition of the organs inside the abdomen.
These tests can reveal many things, such as the location of the spleen, its size, whether it is swollen, and whether blood circulation is working properly.
What are the treatments for this?
The main and most common treatment for Wandering Spleen is a surgical removal of the spleen (Splenectomy) . Yes, you may be thinking, "Oh, removing the spleen? That's a big deal, right?" We'll talk about that in a bit.
Most often, this surgery is performed laparoscopically . That is, a surgery that involves inserting a camera and delicate instruments through a few small incisions, rather than making a large incision in the abdomen. The advantage of this method is that the wounds heal faster and the hospital stay is shorter.
Sometimes, if the spleen is not twisted or damaged, it can be moved back to its original position and fixed there (splenopexy). But this is done in very rare cases. The most common procedure is to remove the spleen.
Can you live without a spleen? / What happens after the spleen is removed?
This is the biggest question that many people have. It's normal to think things like, "What will happen to me if my spleen is removed? Will I not be able to live a normal life?"
But one thing that may comfort you is that the spleen is not an essential organ in our body. This means that you can live a normal, healthy life without it. Many people live successfully without a spleen.
But, there's one thing. One of the main functions of the spleen is to protect against infections. So when the spleen is removed, your body can be a little more susceptible to certain infections. That means your chances of getting sick are a little higher. That's why the safety measures we'll talk about next are important.
How do you take care of yourself after having your spleen removed?
After a splenectomy, you need to take extra care to protect yourself from infections. Here are some things you can do:
- Get your vaccines right: Without a spleen, your body's defenses against some bacterial and viral infections are low. Therefore, your doctor will prescribe you some special vaccines (for example, against pneumonia, meningitis, influenza). It is very important to get these vaccines right and on time.
- If you are prescribed antibiotics, use them correctly: If you have a weakened immune system due to another illness, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to take every day. Use them correctly. Also, if you have a fever or a cold, your doctor may tell you to start antibiotics right away.
- Be careful when traveling: Some countries are prone to diseases like malaria . If a person without a spleen gets sick with this disease, it can be very serious. Therefore, before you travel abroad, be sure to talk to a doctor and get the necessary advice and additional vaccinations.
- Be careful with pets and animal bites: You may also be sensitive to some germs from animals.
- Wear a Medical Alert Bracelet: It's a good idea to carry a small bracelet or card that tells you that your spleen has been removed. This will help doctors in case of an emergency.
When do you need to see a doctor urgently?
If you develop any signs of infection after your spleen has been removed, you should see a doctor immediately. Don't delay. Go to the hospital as soon as possible, especially if you have any of these symptoms:
- Chills.
- High fever (temperature higher than 103°F Fahrenheit or 39.4°C Celsius).
- Vomiting that doesn't stop and is getting worse.
- Severe headache, stiff neck, and blurred vision (these could be signs of meningitis).
- Difficulty breathing, severe cough.
Things like this can be signs of an infection, so prompt treatment is very important.
Finally, I have to say...
When you find out that you have a condition called 'Wandering Spleen', you may feel relieved on one hand, thinking, "Oh, this is the cause of this strange pain and discomfort I've been having for so long." On the other hand, it's normal to feel a little scared and anxious when you're told that you have to have surgery, that your spleen is going to be removed.
But remember, even though the spleen is an important organ, it is not something you can live without. You can live a healthy, normal life. The most important thing is to follow the necessary steps to protect yourself from infections after the surgery. Your doctor will explain this to you in more detail. If you have any questions or doubts, don't be afraid to ask. They will be happy to help you.
Don't worry! Medical science has advanced a lot today. Many people today are able to successfully treat these conditions and live healthy lives afterward.
` Spleen, Wandering Spleen, Abdominal pain, Splenic Torsion, Splenic Infarction, Splenectomy, Spleen removal, Surgery
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