ENLARGED SPLEEN

Enlarged spleen (Splenomegaly) is a condition that happens when your spleen gets enlarged. It is mostly known as an enlarged spleen. It is under your rib cage in the upper left corner of your back abdomen. It is an organ that is part of the lymph system. It serves as a drainage that fights against infections on your body.

The spleen has an excellent source of blood supply since it is responsible for blood filtering. It is one of the vital organs that have many functions. It is not a common thing, and it happens because of some underlying illnesses. The spleen acts as a reservoir of red blood cells and platelets that the body needs. An enlarged spleen can irritate your diaphragm and can cause pain in your upper left abdomen. If it is pressed in the stomach, the person may feel full after eating only a small amount of food. An enlarged spleen can cause a lot of problems, including blood loss, and it can be life-threatening.

SYMPTOMS

Most people who have enlarged spleens have no symptoms, and they will know if they have a physical examination. If you are thin, it may be possible to feel the spleen if it enlarges. Common symptoms are:

  • Pain and discomfort in the upper left abdomen
  • Feeling fullafter eating even small amounts
  • Anemia
  • Fatigue
  • Frequent infections
  • Easy bleeding

If it starts to compress on your organs, it can affect blood flow. This will make your spleen unable to filter blood properly. If your spleen enlarges, it will start to remove vast amounts of red blood cells. This will cause a problem with your blood. If your spleen can’t make enough white blood cells, it will cause enlargement, which will affect you and cause you to experience infections frequently.

DIAGNOSIS

The diagnosis of an enlarged spleen is by ultrasound or CT scan. Your doctor will examine you and your symptoms, and see if you have an enlarged spleen. Your doctor will require an ultrasound or CT scan of your abdomen to see if there’s a problem with your spleen. If your doctor suspected that there is a severe problem such as bleeding, she/he would require you to have surgery to control the bleeding immediately. People with this kind of problem may give a blood transfusion.

TREATMENT

Treatment of enlarged spleen would depend on the severity of the condition. An enlarged spleen may be treated through blood transfusion or surgery. Most doctors treat patients with enlarged spleen by removing the damaged spleen. But, eliminating the spleen can cause a lot of serious problems such as an increase in dangerous infections. Nowadays, there are many ways to treat mild  enlargement of the spleen. It can heal without surgery, although it may need a blood transfusion, and patients must be admitted at the hospital.

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