Dorothy FarrarEnlarged spleen
An enlarged spleen is a symptom of an underlying condition, such as leukemia . The condition of the spleen usually improves when the underlying disease is treated; however, in severe cases, the spleen must be removed.
Enlarged spleen: description
In the case of an enlarged spleen, also known as splenomegaly , the organ located in the upper left abdomen increases in weight or length. The spleen plays an important role in the body’s immune response to pathogens and also breaks down erythrocytes, i.e. red blood cells, that are no longer able to function.
If the length or weight of the spleen, which is considered the norm for adults, is exceeded, splenomegaly is present. An enlarged spleen is always a symptom of an underlying disease, but not a disease in its own right.
causes
There are various causes of an enlarged spleen. Splenomegaly can occur, for example, with a malignant tumor or cysts in the spleen. In the majority of cases of splenomegaly, organs other than the spleen are affected.
Leukemia, i.e. blood cancer, is often behind an enlarged spleen. In addition to leukemia and other lymphatic diseases, there are a number of infectious diseases which can be associated with an enlargement of the spleen as they progress. This includes, for example , glandular fever , which is largely caused by the Epstein-Barr virus.
In the context of rheumatic diseases, splenomegaly can also develop. In addition, there is a group of diseases that are associated with blood congestion in front of the liver, which extends back to the spleen. Such blood congestion is triggered, for example, by pancreatitis , i.e. inflammation of the pancreas, or cirrhosis of the liver .
When to the doctor?
If you feel pressure or tension in the middle or left chest, you should see a doctor. If the feeling spreads further, further investigations must always be initiated in order to determine the cause. If breathing difficulties occur due to reduced or shallow breathing, it is also advisable to consult a doctor.
If the person concerned suffers from pain in the abdominal region, persistent nausea or an inexplicable malaise, he should consult a doctor. Since a viral disease can be the cause of an enlarged spleen, a doctor’s visit is necessary if the person concerned notices changes in their state of health over several days that appear abnormal to them. Fever , tiredness or changes in the lymph are among the signs that need to be examined more closely.
If the affected person is perceived by other people as unusually pale, if they feel exhausted or if they cannot perform at their usual level, there is cause for concern. A doctor should be consulted if this condition persists for several days so that medical attention can take place. An enlarged spleen is often associated with leukemia. If you already have blood cancer, you should have your spleen checked regularly. Complaints such as weight loss, night sweats, tachycardia or persistent fever are signs of leukemia and must be checked by a doctor.
symptoms and course
The symptoms and course of an enlarged spleen depend on the underlying disease and its severity. There are often symptoms such as fever or pain in the upper abdomen . Upper abdominal pain occurs when the spleen increases in size and presses on surrounding organs. Typically, those affected also suffer from anemia and the associated pallor , tiredness and exhaustion . This is because splenomegaly can be associated with an overactive spleen, known as hypersplenic syndrome. In this case, too many erythrocytes , leukocytes and thrombocytes are produced in the spleenstored and later broken down, which are then missing as important blood components.
The course of splenomegaly depends on the underlying disease, the better it can be treated, the fewer complications the course of splenomegaly has.
Diagnose
If an enlarged spleen is suspected, a physical examination is performed first. The attending doctor feels the upper abdomen of the patient. An enlarged spleen can be felt. An ultrasound scan is then performed to determine the severity of the splenomegaly. Since an enlarged spleen may cause changes in the blood count , laboratory testing of a blood sample from the patient is advisable as part of the diagnosis. Further diagnostics depend on the underlying disease and may include further blood tests or imaging procedures such as an MRI examination.
complications
An enlarged spleen can lead to a number of complications. As a result of an acute enlargement of the spleen, there is initially a feeling of fullness , which is often accompanied by abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. The spleen often also presses on the surrounding organs, which can cause upper abdominal pain and dysfunction of the affected organs. Those affected typically also suffer from anemia, which is associated with fatigue and paleness. An overactive spleen can lead to fever, changes in the lymph, and other symptoms and complications.
If the enlarged spleen is surgically removed or if the spleen malfunctions, there is an increased susceptibility to infections. After a surgical procedure, there is also an increased risk of bleeding and infections. In addition, the body produces more platelets after an operation, which can temporarily lead to feelings of weakness and fever symptoms.
If splenomegaly is treated by irradiating the spleen, the organ may grow back again. Due to the seriousness of the possible complications, a medical professional should be consulted at the first sign of an enlarged spleen.
treatment and therapy
Since an enlarged spleen is never the actual disease, but only a symptom of an underlying disease, the treatment of the underlying disease is in the foreground. If the underlying disease is treated, the splenomegaly usually also improves. If the treatment of the underlying disease is difficult or not possible at all, the consequences of the enlarged spleen are treated.
In cases of severe anemia , a splenectomy, i.e. the removal of the spleen, often has to be carried out. Removing the spleen prevents it from continuing to store or break down blood components. Progressive anemia can be treated well with splenectomy, but people who have had their spleen removed have an increased risk of developing infections.However, the spleen is not a vital organ and can therefore be removed if indicated. There are also special vaccinations for people without a spleen, which can greatly reduce the risk of infection.
People who have had their spleen removed are particularly susceptible to certain bacterial infections, such as pneumonia or meningitis .
If the spleen does not need to be surgically removed and the underlying disease persists, there are treatment options to stop the spleen from enlarging. Thus, at least a worsening of the splenomegaly can be prevented.
prevention
There are hardly any targeted measures to prevent the formation of an enlarged spleen. This is mainly due to the fact that splenomegaly is a secondary disease, i.e. merely an accompanying symptom of an underlying disease. Prophylactic measures can therefore only be based on the underlying diseases that can lead to splenomegaly. In most cases, these diseases cannot be specifically prevented. A healthy lifestyle with the greatest possible abstinence from alcohol and nicotine contributes indirectly to the prevention of an enlarged spleen.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.