Enlarged Spleen Treatment

Spleen is a fist-sized, small organ that is located just below the rib cage on the left side. People are under the assumption that an inflamed spleen is a disease in itself. However, it is not so. It is actually a result of an underlying disorder.

There are many causes of spleen enlargement, also known as Splenomegaly. The causes range from chronic infections to blood cancers. When the spleen becomes swollen, it causes the number of blood cells and platelets in the bloodstream to reduce.

➜ Often, there are no symptoms of splenomegaly. At other times, the symptoms can also be those of many other health issues. The spleen lies next to the stomach. When it enlarges, it presses against the stomach due to which the person might feel that he/she has overeaten even after a small snack, and sometimes may feel full even without eating.

➜ The other symptom is abdominal pain and back pain. If the spleen enlarges further and does not get sufficient blood supply and starts to die, the pain can spread to the left shoulder. If the number of blood cells and platelets in the blood decreases, it can cause anemia. This can further lead to frequent infections.

➜ In case of a wound, the person will have the tendency to bleed due to a low platelet count. The problem is normally noticed only during routine physical examination. If the physician notices that you have an engorged spleen, you will have to undergo an imaging of the spleen and blood tests.

Various infections and diseases can cause the spleen to expand in size. Let's see what are they:

• Viral infections are known to cause splenomegaly.
• Along with viral infections, bacterial infections can also cause this condition.
• Parasitic infections like malaria can also lead to spleen enlargement.
• Liver diseases also affect the size of the spleen.

• Hemolytic anemia (premature destruction of red blood corpuscles) can also give rise to splenomegaly.
• Blood cancer is also known to cause spleen engorgement.
• The other causes of spleen enlargement include metabolic disorder and pressure on the veins.

➜ Treatment for an enlarged spleen depends on the underlying cause of the condition. Antibiotics are prescribed to treat spleen enlargement caused by bacterial infections. Also, there are a number of homeopathic medicines that are used to treat spleen expansion. If the condition is caused by leukemia or Hodgkin's disease, the patient may have to undergo chemotherapy or radiation therapy sessions.

➜ If the underlying cause is not identifiable or cannot be treated, then surgical treatment of the spleen may be required. Even in case of chronic or critical cases, surgical intervention might be an option. In some cases, the patient does not respond to treatment and is dependent on transfusion. In such cases, a part or the complete spleen has to be removed. However, spleen removal does not treat the problem totally, but it reduces the incidence of low white blood cell count.

In treating a swollen spleen, splenectomy (surgical removal of spleen) is the last option. A person can live an active life without a spleen. But, the chances of contracting serious or life-threatening infections become very high. To avoid the chances of infections, vaccinations are given, both before and after spleen removal.

These vaccinations are given to protect against pneumonia, meningitis, and infections of the bones, joints, blood, and lungs. Some patients also need to be administered penicillin, both before and after the surgery. An important tip is to avoid traveling to places where diseases like malaria are endemic.

Disclaimer: This story is for informative purposes only and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.