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The enlarged spleen, also known as swollen spleen or splenomegaly, is characterized by an enlarged spleen, which can be caused by infections, inflammatory diseases, ingestion of certain substances, or the presence of certain diseases.
The spleen is an organ located on the left and behind the stomach, whose function is the storage and production of white blood cells, immune surveillance and the elimination of damaged red blood cells.
When the spleen is enlarged, complications can arise, such as greater susceptibility to infections or anemia, for example, and it is important to go to the doctor to do the treatment as soon as possible, which consists of treating the cause that is at its origin and, in cases more severe, surgery.
Possible causes
Some of the causes that can lead to an enlarged spleen are:
- Infections, such as infectious mononucleosis, malaria, among others;
- Autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, which lead to inflammation of the lymphatic system, including the spleen;
- Spleen cancer or other types of cancer, such as leukemia or Hodgkin's disease;
- Heart disorders;
- Liver diseases, such as cirrhosis or hepatitis;
- Cystic fibrosis;
- Spleen injuries.
Also know what are the causes and symptoms of spleen pain.
What symptoms
When the spleen is enlarged, the person may not show symptoms, and in these cases, this problem is only detected in consultation or routine examinations.
However, in some cases, symptoms may appear, such as pain and discomfort in the upper left side of the abdomen, which is where the spleen is located, a feeling of fullness after meals, due to the pressure that the enlarged spleen puts on the stomach.
In more severe cases, the spleen can begin to put pressure on other organs, which can affect the blood circulation to the spleen, and can also lead to complications such as the onset of anemia or increased infections.
How the treatment is done
The treatment of an enlarged spleen consists of treating, in the first place, the underlying cause, which may consist of the administration of antibiotics, suspension of certain drugs or toxic substances and other more complex treatments, such as cancer or autoimmune diseases. immune.
In more severe cases, in which the treatment of the cause does not solve the problem, it may be necessary to resort to a spleen removal surgery, called a splenectomy, which is usually done by laparoscopy, and is quickly recovered. It is possible to have a normal and healthy life without a spleen, if proper care is followed.
Learn how the spleen removal surgery is done and see what care should be taken to maintain a healthy life.