No one is safe from force majeure and accidents. A trauma to the abdominal cavity entails a series of hidden injuries that need to be paid attention to. Bruised spleen is the most common injury if the blow is in the abdomen.
The role of the spleen in the body
How important is the spleen in human life? It is important to understand and understand where it is located and what functions it performs.
It is located in the abdominal cavity near the stomach, in the upper left part. Its structure may have individual characteristics, for example, additional segments. In its form, the organ differs into several types:
- vertically elongated;
- horizontally elongated;
- obliquely elongated.
The size of the spleen depends on the fullness of blood and may vary. Much of the work and structure of this organ depends on the individual characteristics of human health.
There are several main functions:
- The production of white blood bodies that exit the spleen directly into the bloodstream.
- Immune function, which is rightly considered the most important. The spleen is able to capture and process bacteria from the blood, purifying it. Moreover, inside the blood organ is not only cleansed, but also saturated with the necessary bodies.
- The spleen is involved in the destruction of old blood cells.
- It takes an active part in metabolic processes in the body, primarily iron.
Specialists continue to study this organ, in its work there are still moments that are unknown to man, but this does not reduce its vital importance.
Spleen injuries
In a healthy state, a person does not feel the presence of a spleen in his body. However, in case of injury, pain can not go unnoticed.
To begin with, it is important to understand what is implied in the concept of trauma, what are the main signs of a bruised spleen. Damage to the spleen, which does not change the structure and shape of the organ, that is, is closed, is usually called a bruise. In medical practice, it is said that bruising of the spleen is the most common damage to this organ, which leads to malfunctions in its work.
How to identify symptoms of spleen injury and the consequences of this injury? Doctors recommend an examination for any abdominal injuries. After a fall or a traffic accident, after a knife or gunshot wound, a visit to the doctor is vital.
However, medical statistics show that at least 90% of all diseases of the spleen cannot be resolved. Symptoms of bruised spleen by that time are erased, and it is not possible to understand the initial cause of malfunctioning of the organ. Such situations are due to the fact that a person turned for help too late.
There are frequent cases when it is impossible to save an injured organ, since the consequences of an injury become irreversible.
Symptoms of a bruised spleen
If a person received a serious injury to the spleen, then it is impossible not to notice. It is customary for specialists to highlight some of the most obvious signs that an organ is injured:
- In severe cases, the victim is unconscious.
- There is a strong pain syndrome in the left hypochondrium. In an attempt to change the position of the body, the pain does not subside.
- The patient is tormented by bouts of nausea and vomiting.
- Blood pressure drops.
- The complexion of the victim changes dramatically, there is a blue skin.
Along with the listed symptoms of bruised spleen, a person experiences severe discomfort in the abdomen. This suggests that the walls of the abdominal cavity are in good shape after the injury.
If the patient has internal bleeding, then outwardly it may look like bloating. Palpation in this case will cause the victim additional discomfort.
If you receive a serious injury and identify symptoms of spleen injury in a patient, you must urgently seek medical help. Strong internal bleeding can be fatal; a blood transfusion in a hospital setting can help.
With a fall, the symptoms of bruising of the spleen and its treatment depend on the severity of the damage. Doctors recommend paying attention to several secondary signs:
- The victim has an accumulation of gases, while the patient suffers from constipation.
- After a bruise, an inflammatory process develops that increases the negative burden on the organ, which can lead to rupture of the spleen. Therefore, it is necessary to undergo any necessary examinations for any suspected injury.
- Pain in the spleen increases with a deep breath.
- Discomfort causes even a slight sharp movement.
- The man looks extremely pale and lethargic.
The combination of all these symptoms suggests that an immediate visit to the doctor is necessary to prevent the development of serious complications.
Bruise diagnosis
Symptoms of bruised spleen and the consequences of it require a good response from the doctor and knowledge in conducting the correct diagnosis. There are several methods that will determine the trauma of this organ:
- ultrasound examination;
- computed tomography method;
- laparoscopy method;
- angiography;
- in rare cases, radiography (modern medicine considers this method to be the least informative).
After conducting the correct diagnosis and establishing the severity of the damage, the doctor determines the need for surgery.
Bruise treatment
The treatment of symptoms of splenic bruise is practically not used. In most cases, the patient can not do without surgical intervention, because even a minor injury leads to complications in the future.
Medical statistics suggest that the damaged spleen cannot be saved. During the operation, stitches are placed on the organ, but this approach is possible only with minor injuries. At the same time, a tiny percentage of such operations does not lead to repeated trauma subsequently. Most often, doctors tend to need to completely remove the injured organ.
Bruising effects
With a bruise of the spleen, many organs of the abdominal cavity, and the whole organism as a whole, suffer. The main danger of complications arises against the background of blood loss, a lot depends on the severity of internal bleeding.
If the spleen injury was not so severe, and the patient chose not to pay attention to pain, then in the future there is a high risk of organ rupture. For example, in medical practice, cases of rupture of the spleen in women during childbirth are known. This process has nothing to do with the attempts itself, but suggests that the woman’s spleen was damaged before, but she did not seek medical help.
The best prevention of trauma to the most important organ in the human body is a careful attitude in itself. Avoid extreme situations as much as possible, engage in heavy sports only under the supervision of an experienced instructor.
Injuries to the spleen in children
Ribs in childhood have less strength, which does not provide adequate protection for the spleen. For this reason, children are more prone to possible injuries. Symptoms of bruised spleen in children have some features:
- The child lies on its side, tightening its knees.
- At the first opportunity, seeks to take a sitting position, which reduces pressure on the injured organ.
- Pain on palpation of the abdomen, which gives off in the forearm and under the shoulder blade.
In case of injuries of the abdominal cavity in childhood, it is very important not to neglect a visit to a doctor, because about 70% of such injuries are accompanied by bruised spleen.
Is it possible to live without a spleen?
With surgical intervention, it is often necessary to completely remove the organ. After this, a natural question arises in a person: “Is it possible to live without a spleen and how?”.
Doctors respond unambiguously positively, paying attention to the need to observe a number of rules:
- Closely monitor your health, at the slightest suspicion of infection, consult a doctor.
- Take immunomodulators, get vaccinated.
- Avoid hypothermia.
- Take drugs that support the liver, the load on which has increased significantly.
- Regularly undergo a preventive examination by a doctor.
The human body is able to redistribute the function of the spleen to other organs, which allows a person to live long enough without an organ. It is important to follow the doctor’s recommendations and not neglect preventive measures for your own immunity.