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Spleen is an organ which is located in the upper left abdomen. It is responsible critical functions. It brings about destruction of old and damaged blood cells. White blood cells (lymphocytes) produced by spleen are essential to protect the body from outside invasions. It plays a significant role in the healing process by producing red blood cells and platelets which are responsible for blood clotting. When the spleen becomes enlarged, all these vital functions get affected. Symptoms: - Symptoms may not be evident in all the cases. Different symptoms may be observed in different individuals. 1.Anemia 2.Fatigue 3.Increased risk of infections 4.Pain or fullness in left upper abdomen spreading 5.Feeling of fullness after eating a small amount of food Causes of Splenomegaly: - A number of factors are responsible for causing this disease. Some of them are as follows:- 1.Cirrhosis and other liver disorders 2.hemolytic anemia causing premature destruction of Red Blood cells 3.Blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma like hemolytic anemia 4.Blood clot in hepatic veins 5.Excessive pressure on veins in liver. 6.Viral infections like mononucleosis 7.Parasitic infections like malaria 8.Metabolic disorder like Gaucher's disease or Niemann-Pick disease Risk factors:- 1.Age:-Children and teenagers who already have infections like mononucleosis are more prone to this disease. 2.Certain metabolic diseases like Niemann-Pick disease, Gaucher's disease and other diseases affecting liver and spleen. 3.Individuals travelling to areas where Malaria endemic is present. Potential Complications:- •Infection:-As the number of white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets un the blood get reduced in Splenomegaly, there is possibility of developing infections. Blood disorders like Anemia and excessive bleeding may occur. •Ruptured spleen: - Spleen is very tender organ and can be easily damaged. The possibility of rupture is greater when it is enlarged. It may lead to fatal bleeding in abdominal cavity. Diagnosis: - Primary diagnosis is done with physical exam. The doctor examines tenderness of spleen by gently touching upper left abdominal regions. Splenomegaly is confirmed with further diagnosis. 1.Blood tests: - Complete Blood test is administered to check the number of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets present in the blood. It is helpful to detect the extent of severity. 2.Ultrasound or computerized tomography (CT)/MRI scan: - Imaging techniques are used to study the affected spleen in detail. It is also useful to check whether it is affecting other organs. Blood flow from spleen can be traced using these techniques. Sometimes, tests like Liver function test, bone marrow biopsy are also done to find the exact cause of enlarged spleen. Treatment options for Splenomegaly:- 1.Regular monitoring if the condition is not severe 2.Antibiotics if bacterial infection is the cause 3.Radiation 4.Splenectomy- removal of spleen Jack Williams is a Health Content Writer For carepharmacyrx.com, adviser by profession. He is completed his post graduation in Bio-tech. And he is working with this new pharmacy medicine like Abortion Pill Online and Viagra Jelly in the internet market there many topics he has written for this and he got the good experience.
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