Each organ in the human body performs its important function. If a failure occurs in one of the systems, this can lead to serious consequences. The spleen regulates the functions of blood formation, filters the blood and cleanses it of harmful bacteria. Without these processes, a person becomes defenseless against a variety of ailments. Therefore, with an increase in the spleen, the causes of this fact must be established immediately.
In order to independently understand that something is wrong with the organ, you need not only to pay attention to the symptoms, but also to understand how this organ works.
Human spleen
This important organ is located between 9 and 11 ribs. The spleen is in an upright position on the left side of the peritoneum. Outwardly, the organ resembles an oval. By and large, the spleen is the largest lymph node, which performs a very important function - it cleanses the blood of harmful microorganisms. In this case, blood coagulation and other metabolic processes are carried out.
The spleen performs very important tasks:
- Detects foreign antigens and produces antibodies.
- Dissolves particulate matter from burns and other injuries.
- It takes part in the formation of immunoglobulin.
Spleen enlargement
This ailment is called splenomegaly. It is quite difficult to fix a slight change in the size of the organ, so the disease is rarely diagnosed at the earliest stages. As a rule, patients learn about the disease during an examination of other organs.
The reasons for the enlargement of the spleen can be very diverse. As a rule, splenomegaly is not an independent ailment. Changing the size of the spleen is a consequence of other processes in the body. Despite the fact that it is quite difficult to identify the ailment, there are signs that may prompt a person to think that it is time to visit a doctor or at least undergo a full examination of the body.
Symptomatology
There are a number of signs that you should not close your eyes to. Therefore, you need to consult a doctor with:
- Constant pain or tingling under the left rib when inhaling. In this case, pain can be given to the shoulder, left arm or lower abdomen.
- The appearance of ulcers on the skin, with their blanching or yellowing. As a rule, the internal parts of the cheeks, feet and tongue are affected.
- Fatigue.
- The appearance of hematomas, slight bruises and bruises, even with mild pressure on a particular part of the body.
- The formation of small bleeding without any reason for their appearance.
- Excessive sweating.
- Low blood pressure and hemoglobin level.
- The appearance of a very bad breath.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Elevated body temperature.
- Constant discomfort in the stomach and intestines. Patients complain of bloating and a feeling of "fullness". To get enough, a person needs much less food.
- Increased sweating, especially at night.
Considering the causes and symptoms of an enlarged spleen, it is very difficult to correlate these signs with the development of splenomegaly. A change, even a slight one, of this body can testify to dozens of ailments that only a specialist can determine.
It is worth considering that the ailment can develop against the background of frequently repeated viral, fungal and other diseases. Therefore, speaking about the reasons for the enlargement of the spleen in adults, it must be borne in mind that with weakened immunity there is a great risk of getting this unpleasant disease. Therefore, it is important to adhere to a healthy lifestyle. Those whose protective functions are weakened, it is not superfluous to take a course of taking immunomodulators.
Causes of enlarged spleen
As mentioned earlier, anything can provoke the appearance of splenomegaly. For example, a change in the size of this organ is sometimes associated with the appearance of malignant neoplasms, an increase in blood flow, organ infiltration, inflammatory ailments, diseases associated with a change in the structure of cells, and much more.
The most common causes of enlarged spleen include:
- Chronic hepatitis, alcoholism.
- Lymphoma, leukemia and other types of blood cancer.
- Infectious diseases (malaria, AIDS, mononucleosis and others).
- Thrombosis and heart failure.
- Increased lipid accumulation (in medical practice, this ailment is called Gaucher disease).
- Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases.
- True polycythemia.
- Cysts
Speaking about the enlargement of the spleen, the causes and treatment of this ailment, it should be borne in mind that in normal condition the mass of the organ should be no more than 150 g with a width of 3-4 cm. If its weight increases even to 200 g, then the doctor makes a diagnosis of splenomegaly .
Changing the size of the spleen may be a reaction to a disruption in the functioning of other, not necessarily adjacent, organs. Venous stagnation of blood can also lead to this phenomenon. Very often, against the background of an enlarged spleen, there is a change in the size of the lymph nodes of the liver.
If splenomegaly is observed in a pregnant woman, then most often this is due to a change in hemoglobin level (indicators are greatly reduced). Parasites (for example, helminths) that have got into the human body can also cause an ailment.
Causes of changes in the size of the spleen in children
If a child suffers from a congenital ailment associated with a change in the size of this organ, then, as a rule, this does not pose a great danger to the baby. Splenomegaly in the smallest is diagnosed very quickly, so the doctor can observe the development of pathology.
If we talk about other reasons for the enlargement of the liver and spleen in a child, then they are the same as adults. However, in this case, it is worth considering that if a woman is ill with an infectious or chronic illness, then there is a high probability that he will be transmitted to the child. If we are talking about newborn babies, then a change in the size of the spleen is often associated with a decrease in the protective functions of a fragile organism. It is also necessary to make sure that the baby does not suffer from blood pathologies, which are also often congenital.
As a teenager, children often start trying alcohol and smoking cigarettes. If poor-quality alcohol-containing products, nicotine and junk food get into the young body, this can also lead to splenomegaly.
Considering the enlargement of the spleen in children, the causes and treatment of the disease, it is worth considering that the change in the size of this organ may be associated with some diseases:
- Viral and infectious ailments.
- Rubella and other "childhood" diseases.
- Malaria.
- Congenital heart defects.
- Diseases associated with impaired liver function.
Diagnostics
To most accurately determine the causes of an enlarged liver or spleen, a CT scan is necessary. Most often, patients conduct such studies when they suspect completely different ailments.
If the patient has signs of splenomegaly, then the doctor initially palpates the upper region of the peritoneum. With a deep breath, a specialist will be able to "feel" for an enlarged internal organ. If there is a suspicion that a person is suffering from splenomegaly, then additional studies are carried out. First of all, it is necessary to donate blood. The specialist will determine the level of leukocytes and platelets. In some cases, additional chemical analysis and studies of the quality of the liver may be required.
It is also recommended to perform an ultrasound of the entire abdominal cavity, angiography and more. To assess the causes of enlarged spleen causes in adults and to treat this ailment, doctors conduct additional studies:
- Lymph node biopsy. This study is done if the doctor suspects that the change in the size of the spleen is caused by lymphoma.
- If you suspect an infectious disease, you need to identify the source of the disease.
- Bone marrow biopsy. This study may be required if it is likely that the pathology caused leukemia, Gaucher disease or the appearance of infectious mycobacteria.
Additionally, a biopsy and the spleen itself may be required. This study is conducted in connection with suspected bleeding.
So, the symptoms and causes of an enlarged spleen are now known. Treatment of the disease will be discussed later.
Therapy selection
In order to get rid of the disease, it is very important to understand why a change in the internal organ occurred. If cirrhosis of the liver has led to splenomegaly, then immediate measures must be taken to treat this pathology. Until the underlying disease is cured, it is impossible to talk about full recovery.
Most often, spleen is treated with antibiotics or chemical therapy. However, in some situations this is not enough. In this case, an operation cannot be dispensed with.
Splenectomy
This type of surgery is called splenectomy. A similar type of surgical intervention may be required for leukemia, telassemia, spleen thrombosis and many other pathologies. In this case, the operation is less risky.
After surgery, it is very important to take a course of vaccination. This is because in people who have undergone this type of operation, the body is greatly weakened. A person becomes defenseless against pneumonia, meningitis and flu. Therefore, it is recommended to protect yourself against these viral bacteria.
Useful Tips
Regardless of whether the operation was performed or the doctor limited himself to drug treatment, it is important to follow a few tips:
- Start eating healthy foods, so you need to abandon fatty, fried and smoked. You also need to exclude alcohol.
- The patient should eat 5-6 times a day, but in small portions.
- Avoid fast and sharp movements. Falls and even minor injuries can be dangerous for people in this condition.
- Spend as much time as possible in the fresh air.
ethnoscience
If we talk about alternative methods of treatment, then you can cope with problems with the spleen with:
- Harvesting calendula and yarrow.
- Honey.
- Chicory.
- Tinctures on the hop cones.
- Decoction of plantain, sage and nettle.
- Cranberry, carrot, apple and other natural fruit drinks.
- Hypericum tinctures.
- Sea buckthorn.
- Decoctions of violets or wild strawberries.
- Milk with propolis.
Some prepare ointment from honey and ginger and smear the skin at night. However, it must be understood that for various reasons, the enlargement of the spleen and the treatment will be different. Traditional medicine does not always have a positive effect. If you do not perform the operation in a timely manner, then such "home" treatment will only lead to a worsening of the condition.
Possible complications
In rare cases, the size of the spleen may return to normal. This is possible if the patient promptly sought help and undergo diagnostic tests. As a rule, complete recovery of the spleen can be said if a person suffers from mononucleosis. As soon as the main ailment is cured, the work of internal organs will return to normal.
If the spleen is removed, then the person becomes very susceptible to viral infections. Some begin to have abnormal bleeding. If a person gets injured, it will also negatively affect health.
What is the danger of splenomegaly?
The most dangerous thing in this case is that an enlarged spleen is most often a sign of another ailment. If it is not diagnosed in a timely manner, then there is a danger of rupture of internal organs and internal bleeding.
Against the background of damage to the spleen, additional infections often occur. Due to a violation of the functionality of this organ, the level of formed elements in the blood decreases. This can lead to thrombocytopenia and anemia.
Prevention
Preventive measures do not always help to avoid an ailment. In this case, it all depends on the primary disease that provokes the symptoms. As a rule, doctors recommend quitting smoking and drinking alcohol. This will help to avoid cirrhosis of the liver, which often causes splenomegaly.
If a person plans to relax in hot countries, especially in endemic areas, then you must definitely get a vaccine against malaria.
You can avoid rupture of the spleen if you do not engage in strong physical exertion.