A careful attitude to the signals that our body gives is always a guarantee that serious diseases can be recognized in time and their consequences can be prevented. How to recognize signals about spleen disease, what to look for in a similar condition, and why this organ is so important, it is worthwhile to understand in more detail.
What is the spleen for?
Each person is more or less familiar with anatomy and roughly understands the significance of one or another organ. Many people vaguely imagine the importance of such an organ as the spleen: the functions in the body that it performs, for most people remain a mystery.
This organ is the largest element of the human lymphatic system, and quite simply, it is the largest lymph node. The work of the spleen is to perform hematopoietic functions, restore and cleanse blood cells.
A natural process is the death of certain blood cells, after which the spleen is engaged in their replenishment. Today, almost everyone knows what antibodies to viruses are - without them, our body cannot resist a viral disease. But the fact that their development is primarily a merit of the spleen, many forget and do not pay due attention to the health of this body.
What does the spleen look like and where is it located?
Where a person’s spleen is located , everyone needs to know to pay attention to disturbing symptoms and not to confuse problems in this organ with the digestive system.
This organ is located in the left part of the abdominal cavity, slightly behind the stomach and immediately below the diaphragm. Immediate proximity to the stomach sometimes inhibits the recognition of the symptoms of spleen diseases - a person believes that he simply overeat or received indigestion.
In appearance, it looks like a slightly flattened oval, purple or dark purple. A healthy spleen in size does not exceed 12 centimeters and 150 grams in weight: if the mass of this organ is much higher and the sizes are enlarged, we are talking about pathological processes, as a result of which the spleen is enlarged. Photos located in this section will allow you to see how it looks and where this organ is located.
Vital functions: what does the spleen do?
Every day, our bodies are doing an invisible to us, but very painstaking and important work. The spleen is no exception: what is blood formation, what are the processes taking place in the spleen, you can understand from its main functions:
- The production of lymphocytes. These cells are the basis for the production of antibodies to fight viruses and infections, so the role of the spleen in the immune system cannot be overestimated.
- Blood filtration. The spleen removes damaged, deformed, or old red blood cells, replacing them with new ones.
- Blood supply. In the spleen, in the process of developing new cells, a certain reserve is created. It becomes necessary in traumatic situations associated with a sharp loss of a large amount of blood.
- The accumulation of iron. In the process of filtering blood in the spleen, not only the removal of harmful organisms occurs, but also the deposition of beneficial substances. One of the most significant is iron, the reserve of which is processed by the body into hemoglobin, which is necessary to provide oxygen to all tissues and organs.
What is the spleen sick with?
Most often, the body responds to infections and malfunctions in the body's size, resulting in splenomegaly, or an enlarged spleen. What such a phenomenon is present in the body, a person may not know, but a running process always requires treatment.
In addition, the spleen can undergo abscesses, the appearance of cysts and tumors, as well as heart attacks of varying severity.
Age-related changes also affect the health of this organ - the spleen can atrophy during aging.
Also a frequent reason for going to the doctor is a violation of the spleen as a result of its twisting - the so-called inversion of the spleen. Only a surgeon can diagnose and treat this phenomenon.
How to understand what the problem is: symptoms of spleen disease
With diseases of this organ, severe pain is rarely manifested, so it is difficult to diagnose problems at an early stage. Nevertheless, knowledge of the peculiarities of the location of this organ will allow you to listen to yourself and determine where the spleen hurts.
The reason for examining the condition of the spleen can be the frequent and severe course of infectious diseases, chronic cardiovascular diseases, as well as chronic or recurrent inflammatory processes in the body.
A blood test can also speak about the poor state of this organ: a reduced hemoglobin, an insufficient number of red blood cells and lymphocytes should be the reason for a more detailed examination.
A common phenomenon - splenomegaly can be accompanied by a visible increase in this organ, when the spleen begins to protrude from under the left rib. What the disease is really present, the therapist can confirm at the examination: he will visually assess the degree of organ enlargement and determine its condition using palpation. After this, an additional examination may be required to prescribe treatment.
How is the spleen examined for prevention and treatment?
The simplest and most affordable methods for examining the spleen are examination by a therapist and a clinical blood test.
Based on these simple actions, the therapist can determine if the organ is enlarged, and whether it normally copes with its functions. If necessary, additional diagnostics can be prescribed.
Also, the condition of the spleen can be assessed by ultrasound of the gastrointestinal tract. A similar examination can be carried out along with a blood test for preventive purposes once a year. Ultrasound is absolutely safe and can detect the problem at an early stage.
If tumor processes in the spleen are suspected, an X-ray examination, MRI and organ puncture can be prescribed. The latter procedure is quite complicated and is prescribed only as a last resort.
How to protect and whether it is possible to do without it?
The most radical method in the fight against spleen diseases is its complete removal by surgery. This body does not carry vital functions, and a person after such a procedure is able to live for many more years. But do not underestimate the importance of the spleen - after its removal, the protective functions of the body are significantly reduced, a person is much more susceptible to viruses and infections, as well as complications after any disease.
In some cases, only part of the organ can be surgically removed, while it is noted that after the operation, the spleen is able to somewhat restore its original size.
Most often, surgical removal is resorted to after bruises and other injuries of the abdomen. The spleen is irrevocably injured, up to an organ rupture, and urgent removal is required to save a person’s life.
In order to prevent problems with the spleen, various bruises and strokes in the abdomen should be avoided, and in the event of a similar situation, do not hesitate to consult a doctor.
A healthy lifestyle also contributes to the normal functioning of the body: proper nutrition, moderate physical activity for a good state of the cardiovascular system, as well as supporting immunity in the form of vitamin and immunomodulating drugs.
Attentive attitude to your health and the condition of all its organs is the key to a long, healthy and happy life!