Contents:
- Medical Video: Symptoms of an Enlarged Spleen
- What is splenomegaly?
- What causes splenic swelling?
- What are the symptoms that appear on the spleen swelling?
- How is splenic swelling diagnosed?
- How is the treatment and treatment of splenic swelling?
- Is there a way to prevent swelling of the spleen?
Medical Video: Symptoms of an Enlarged Spleen
The spleen is a small fist-sized organ located on the left side of the abdomen. The spleen is protected by the ribs, so that it is not immediately felt when touched. This organ serves to protect the body from damage caused by foreign substances. Normally, the spleen weighs 150 grams and is about 11-20 cm long. However, certain infections or diseases can cause the spleen to swell. Swelling of the spleen is called splenomegaly. What is the danger?
What is splenomegaly?
Splenomegaly is a condition that causes the spleen to swell unnaturally. The weight of the swollen spleen can reach 1 kg and its length exceeds 20 cm.
A healthy spleen serves to filter and destroy damaged blood cells, prevent infection by producing white blood cells, store red blood cells and platelets, and help the blood clotting process. If the spleen is swollen, the work will not be maximal.
As the spleen grows, the number of red blood cells transported in the bloodstream will also decrease. The accumulation of red blood cells and platelets in the spleen eventually can clog and damage the tissue of the spleen.
In some cases, splenomegaly can cause the spleen to rupture and fatal internal bleeding occurs.
What causes splenic swelling?
A number of infections and diseases can cause splenomegaly. Some of the causes of splenomegaly are:
- Viral infections, such as mononucleosis
- Bacterial infections, such as syphilis and endocarditis (infection of the inner lining of the heart)
- Parasitic infections, such as malaria
- Disease of cirrhosis and fatty liver
- Blood cancer, such as leukemia, Hodgkin, lymphoma, and myelofibrosis
- Various types of hemolytic anemia, such as sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, spherocytosis
- Autoimmune inflammation, such as lupus and rheumatism.
- Metabolic disorders, such as Gaucher's disease and Niemann-pick disease
- Congestive heart failure
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Polycythaemia vera
- Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP)
Spleen swelling due to the conditions above can be temporary or even permanent, depending on the treatment.
What are the symptoms that appear on the spleen swelling?
Splenomegaly does not have specific symptoms. However, the most common symptom is pain in the upper left part of the stomach, especially when breathing deeply, and the sensation of flatulence. The pain can spread to the left shoulder.
Some people who experience splenomegaly may also complain of rapid satiety and heartburn due to swelling of the spleen that presses the organs in the abdomen.
Other symptoms that may be felt are:
- Easily tired
- Fever
- Sweating at night
- Pale
- Decreased body weight, because it is easily full
- Easy to get infections and bleeding
How is splenic swelling diagnosed?
Doctors usually do an initial examination by feeling in the area around the spleen to determine whether your abdominal pain is caused by splenomegaly. Then, the doctor can continue the examination with imaging tests such as ultrasound to ascertain his suspicion.
In addition to ultrasound scanning, your doctor will refer you to a blood test. Blood tests are performed to determine the amount, shape and composition of your blood, including white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets.
The diagnosis of splenomegaly can also be continued with liver function tests, bone marrow biopsy, and MRI to find out how smoothly the blood flow from and to the spleen.
How is the treatment and treatment of splenic swelling?
Treatment of a swollen spleen will be determined based on the root cause. If it is caused by a bacterial infection, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics. If caused by blood cancer, the treatment will include medication and chemotherapy.
In some cases where the spleen swelling has caused complications, the doctor will advise you to undergo a surgical removal of the spleen (splenectomy). It is important to remember that after your spleen is removed, you must get a complete vaccination. Because, people without spleen (asplenia) are at high risk for infection with pneumonia and meningitis caused by bacteria.
Is there a way to prevent swelling of the spleen?
Actions that can be taken include avoiding alcohol consumption to prevent cirrhosis and not living or traveling to malaria endemic areas.
If you have experienced a splenic swelling, it is recommended not to exercise that uses a seat belt, such as karting, or exercise that involves a punch or kick to avoid rupturing the spleen.
