\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Doctors may suspect that the spleen is enlarged when people complain of fullness or pain in the upper left portion of the abdomen or back. You'll also need the pneumococcal vaccine every five years after surgery. Radiation therapy is a more advanced treatment option for an enlarged spleen that you can try if your body fails to respond to other treatments 2. Infections, liver problems, blood cancers, and metabolic disorders can all cause your spleen to become enlarged, a condition called splenomegaly. I have a small spleen. An enlarged spleen can reduce the number of healthy red blood cells, platelets and white cells in your bloodstream, leading to more frequent infections. Merck Manual Professional Version. Depending upon the cause, the enlarged spleen may return to normal size and function when the underlying disease is treated or resolved. Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\n<\/p><\/div>"}, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. What is the best thing for enlarged spleen? Whats the prognosis for Enlarged Spleen? If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could % of people told us that this article helped them. Splenectomy. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Jameson JL, et al, eds. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, Give Old Pillows And Comforters A Second Life: Creative & Practical Reuse Ideas, Bed Bath & Beyonds Pillow Return Policy: A Comprehensive Guide, Creating A Treasured Memory Pillow From A Beloved Sweatshirt, Finding The Perfect Pillow For Acid Reflux: A Comprehensive Guide, Is It Safe To Sit On A Pillow? However, if you suspect your spleen is enlarged or youre having any organ-related problems, see a doctor soon. You can rest for an extended period of time in order to heal and repair your body. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 49,244 times. Proper vaccination in patients with splenectomy is also of great significance as noted earlier. If an infection is causing this temporary enlargement of the spleen, the sooner you get it diagnosed and treated, the better. This is a condition in which the red blood cells do not form properly. Can an enlarged spleen go back to normal? If you need assistance, call our Sales team at (239) 643-4343 or send an email to [emailprotected]. Get The Best Sleep With The Original Teghnogel Pillow! Pancreatitis is inflammation of an organ in the abdomen called the pancreas. Enlarged spleen (splenomegaly). Health Risks. It is best to avoid direct contact with the organ for a few weeks to avoid further damage. The spleen is usually infected with typhoid, hemoglobin, and other diseases. To get relief from enlarged spleen, you need to find out ways to control your diet and help to reduce inflammation. Complications of heart failure can lead to an enlarged liver and spleen due to a lack of blood flow from the heart to the body. Can an enlarged spleen go back to normal? Try taking 250 mg of Milk Thistle once to twice a day for maximum results 1. https://labtestsonline.org/tests/bone-marrow-aspiration-and-biopsy. Make sure that you are wearing a seat belt at all times in your vehicle. This article was medically reviewed by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS. Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Your spleen is a small but hard-working organ hidden behind your stomach and under your diaphragm. Enlarged spleens are not normal and if a Dr is telling you not to worry about it then you need to look for another Dr Review/update the Depending on how much is being held in reserve at any one time, the length and volume of the spleen can change. You may also need to prop up your head and shoulders with pillows to help prevent the buildup of fluid in your abdomen. X This treatment should be looked as the last resort for treating an enlarged spleen 2. The reason for this is because the increased pressure underwater can also cause the spleen to rupture. In general, a person without a spleen will go on to have a healthy life, but . Taking penicillin or other antibiotics after your surgery and anytime you or your doctor suspects the possibility of an infection. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Surgeons typically prefer to do laparoscopic surgery because recovery is usually easier and faster. You'll receive either a general or a local anesthetic before the test to ease discomfort. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Some of the most common causes of an enlarged spleen include the following: Splenomegaly does not have any specific symptoms. Your liver could be swollen or enlarged by: Inflammation (hepatitis), a response to infection or toxicity. Spleen Diseases. The Tanner stages of puberty outlines the developmental changes you can expect and when they might affect your. An enlarged spleen can cause liver disease, lupus, and mono. Patients with cirrhosis can develop splenomegaly. Hi! Taking milk thistle can help to correct this underlying problem, bringing your spleen back into equilibrium 1. April 2010 edited March 2014 #1. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. All rights reserved. The spleen also filters the blood and helps to remove old or damaged red blood cells. What Is the Prognosis for Enlarged Spleen? [21] This is often the result of an underlying condition that can be treated and reversed, such as fatty liver disease, hepatitis, or alcohol-related liver disease. We know the feeling. It has a very rich blood supply since it is responsible for filtering blood, and it is protected by the 9th, 10th, and 11th ribs. 3 What does an enlarged spleen feel like? However, in some people especially those who are slender a healthy, normal-sized spleen can sometimes be felt during an exam. Women tend to have smaller spleens than men, and taller people tend to have larger spleens than shorter people. An enlarged spleen is the result of damage or trauma to the spleen from any of several different medical conditions, diseases, or types of physical trauma. If that underlying cause can be treated, then the spleen may return to normal. information submitted for this request. . Your doctor can often feel it by gently examining your left upper belly. If you come into contact with the area, it may feel tender. Splenomegaly in 2,505 patients at a large university medical Diseases that cause abnormal or disrupted cells, like thallesemias and h Spleen can enlarge for a dozen different reasons. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. A spleen weight of 400-500 g indicates splenomegaly, while a weight of more than 1000 g is labelled massive splenomegaly. This treatment has many side effects, including heavy vomiting. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Splenomegaly. If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, you should consult with your doctor. Commonly, in infectious mononucleosis, the spleen returns to normal as the infection gets better. The spleen is located in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen, just beneath the diaphragm and next to the stomach. If the spleen becomes rupture, this can cause a sudden, sharp pain in the abdomen and require emergency medical treatment. An enlarged spleen (splenomegaly) may be easier to palpate during a careful abdominal examination. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. During this period of rest, make sure to avoid any sports or other rigorous activities that could cause further injury to the spleen, such as causing the spleen to rupture, which can be life-threatening. The spleen can also become enlarged, stretching over time, until it becomes unable to function. Fat, if your liver is storing too much (steatosis). They include: [1] Hiccups Tiredness Frequent infections Inability to eat a lot of food Pain in the belly, specifically the upper left side 2 Consult with your doctor if you have symptoms of an enlarged spleen. Last medically reviewed on June 15, 2018. Most of these dogs can live for around six months, just by removing the spleen and without any further follow-up treatment. Other causes include liver and autoimmune diseases and some kinds of cancer such as leukemia and lymphoma. Finally, be sure to keep your vaccinations up to date because your risk of infection is increased. Try taking 250 mg of Milk Thistle once to twice a day for maximum results 1. HealthTap uses cookies to enhance your site experience and for analytics and advertising purposes. O'Reilly, RA. Adequate rest allows the body time to heal and repair itself, which might be exactly what your spleen needs to return to normal size. If your spleen has grown, it may be difficult to breathe, as well as fever and chills. Yes, an enlarged liver can go back to its normal size. McGraw-Hill; 2018. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. Once you reach adulthood, however, your spleen tends to shrink slightly with each passing decade. Both procedures might be done at the same time. It is a common condition that occurs in people who have an enlarged spleen but do not show any symptoms or signs. Rosenberg H, et al. Preventive measures against a possible rupture of the spleen are noteworthy. Your doctor will advise you to avoid sports and exercise as much as possible until your swelling subsides. However, in other cases, people may experience fatigue, a feeling of fullness or bloating in the abdomen, pain in the upper abdomen or left shoulder, increased heart rate, or easy bruising or bleeding. Vague abdominal pain and bloating are the most common, but still nonspecific, symptoms of an enlarged spleen. Determination of normal splenic volume in relation to age, gender and body habitus: a stereological study on computed tomography. This article has been viewed 49,244 times. 10 Things People With Depression Wish You Knew, Click for more information about symptoms, causes, and treatments for liver disease. It is possible, however, to experience dull pain on the left side of your abdomen or in your back. If left untreated, hepatitis B can cause serious health problems and lead to death. Some neutral foods that you can eat include rice, fish, goji, plums, string beans, mushrooms, turnips, berries, kidney beans, and pork. Enlargement of lymph nodes and spleen. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Because of the damage done to the liver cells, blood cant flow normally. privacy practices. Odds are you will give blood and they will run a bunch of tests and start eliminating possibilities. I had to get results myself a month later, luckily creatinine good, kidney damage from overprescribing diuretics had me on 280 mg a day, 80 furosemide 200 spirolactone. You will be at greater risk for infections, but that will only mean its even more important to keep up to date with vaccinations and other preventive steps, such as washing your hands thoroughly and regularly or avoiding people who may have a contagious infection. Depending upon the cause, the enlarged spleen may return to normal size and function when the underlying disease is treated or resolved. A ct scan or abdominal That depends on why your spleen is enlarged. (13.0 cm) for boys. Humans come in a variety of shapes and sizes. A small percentage of the normal American population may have a palpable or enlarged spleen. To learn more, please visit our, occurs in many conditions and the condition has to be diagnosed and treated after careful examination. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". I went over my recent ultrasound results last night, had been almost a year since last one. Your doctor will still focus their efforts on getting your spleen healthy. Ultrasonic transducers and CT/MRI scans are used. West J Med 1998; 169:88. The treatment of splenomegaly essentially depends on its cause. Physical examinations are the most commonly used method of identifying an enlarged spleen. Enlarged spleen. It is important to talk to a doctor about the best way to position oneself for comfort and to avoid further pain or discomfort. In some cases, there may be no noticeable symptoms at all. Accessed April 22, 2021. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. The following is a list of the upper limit of normal spleen length by age up to 15 years. In very serious cases of spleen dysfunction, the organ can be removed. Normal splenic size in infants and children: Sonographic measurements [Abstract]. Patients with cirrhosis can develop splenomegaly. However, in general, it is generally advised that people with enlarged spleens avoid sleeping on their left side in order to prevent any further complications. If such pain occurs, seek medical attention immediately you may need surgery. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website.