\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. An enlarged spleen can cause liver disease, lupus, and mono. The first step is to figure out what is causing your enlarged spleen. What Is the Prognosis for Enlarged Spleen? The spleen is usually infected with typhoid, hemoglobin, and other diseases. HealthTap uses cookies to enhance your site experience and for analytics and advertising purposes. Can an enlarged spleen go back to normal? 1963 to 1995: 449 patients. You should call your doctor right away if you experience any of the following symptoms: fever, chills, severe pain, rapid breathing, shortness of breath, swollen abdomen, or yellowing of the skin and eyes. While some people with an enlarged spleen experience no symptoms, there are some specific symptoms that are associated with this condition. Enlarged Spleen (Splenomegaly) - Symptoms, Enlarged Spleen (Splenomegaly) - Patient Experience, Enlarged Spleen (Splenomegaly) Topic Guide, Doctor's Notes on Enlarged Spleen (Splenomegaly) Symptoms. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. There is some haze in my liver that the surgeon wants to watch by another scan in three months instead of 6 mos. Did you know? Odds are you will give blood and they will run a bunch of tests and start eliminating possibilities. This is especially true if you experience extreme pain on the left side of your belly, right under your ribs. Symptoms of splenomegaly include stomach pain and bloating. Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic Press, NEW The Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic Press, NEW Mayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance - Mayo Clinic Press, FREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education, Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th Edition, Newsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter Digital Edition. So I believe enlarged spleen by itself is not something to be worried about, especially if your doctor isn't worried. Our study indicates that spleen size increases slightly-moderately in the first stages of the infection, . Depending upon the cause, the enlarged spleen may return to normal size and function when the underlying disease is treated or resolved. Usually, doctors can feel an enlarged spleen during a physical examination. Commonly, in infectious mononucleosis, the spleen returns to normal as the infection gets better. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Dilated cardiomyopathy is often a progressive condition and there is no cure. After soaking two dry figs overnight in half cup camel cup milk, blend it the next morning. Sleeping on the side of an enlarged spleen can be uncomfortable and may cause pain. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. However, in some people especially those who are slender a healthy, normal-sized spleen can sometimes be felt during an exam. Actually the radiologist said the result was good, because the splenomegalia (large spleen) was the only noticeable thing. To reduce the amount of pressure on your spleen, you should sleep on your left side. The spleen typically weighs 150 grams (5.3 oz) in a typical adult and spans about 11 cm (4.3 inches) vertically in its longest dimension. The spleen can become swollen after an infection or injury. Hopefully the gastroenterologist will be able to work out what is going on. Commonly, in infectious mononucleosis, the spleen returns to normal as the infection gets better. However, an infection in the organ itself can be treated with antibiotics. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Other studies have found slightly different averages. An enlarged spleen may be up to 20 cm long and can weigh more than 1,000 g. Several things can cause your spleen to enlarge, including inflammation, fat storage, pooled blood, benign or malignant growths and overproduction of cells. Sickle cell disease. If youre not sure what you can safely eat while your spleen is healing, ask your doctor. It is a good idea to eat only small portions of whatever you want early in the day so that you are as full as possible. Avoiding contact sports and wearing seat belts are important measures to take in the prevention of splenic rupture. There are no natural treatments for an enlarged spleen. Public healthcare system of the UK Ultrasonic transducers and CT/MRI scans are used. It is treated by stopping behaviors that caused the damage, taking medication to control discomfort, and, in some cases, transplanting the liver. Brett11 4 years ago In a study in the journal Radiology, researchers suggested that aside from men generally being taller than women, men also typically have greater red cell mass than women. Treating the underlying cause of your spleen growth will usually cause it to return to a normal, healthy size. This is an autoimmune disease that is typically treated with a combination of immunosuppressant drugs, including corticosteroids and antimalarials. 3 What does an enlarged spleen feel like? To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which Sometimes this may be taking antibiotics, or may be radiation therapy if the problem is caused by a cancer virus, like Leukemia or Hodgkins disease. Even though I'm 62 yrs of age, I really give er. Furthermore, if your spleen is pressing on your stomach, you may experience fullness without eating or after eating only a small amount. An enlarged spleen is the result of damage or trauma to the spleen from any of several different medical conditions, diseases, or types of physical trauma. Tell us about your experience with enlarged spleen (splenomegaly). Natural Remedies For Controlling Enlarged Spleen 1. I went over my recent ultrasound results last night, had been almost a year since last one. In general, a person without a spleen will go on to have a healthy life, but . Certain infections, diseases affecting blood cells, increased splenic blood flow, and diseases invading the spleen are some common reasons for the spleen to enlarge. Your doctor will advise you to avoid sports and exercise as much as possible until your swelling subsides. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Making lifestyle changes, such as getting regular exercise, eating a healthy diet, and avoiding alcohol, can help . DOI: Ehimwenma O, et al. Then they can biopsy them and possibly tell you what you have. Can mono damage your spleen? Tip: It may be that your doctor wont be able to find a cause for your enlarged spleen. Neutral foods are not warm and or cold, so they can easily be consumed with an enlarged spleen. Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. Certain . You can live an active life without a spleen, but you're more likely to get serious or even life-threatening infections after spleen removal. Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere. If you have an enlarged spleen, you may not notice it at all. There are 18 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. The spleen also filters the blood and helps to remove old or damaged red blood cells. This condition is indicative of damage to the liver. Accessed April 22, 2021. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. Disease or other circumstances can affect spleen size at any age. Other items available include soda, hamburgers, pizzas, tacos, hot dogs, and fries. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. 1 Can an enlarged spleen go back to normal? However, your surgeon may have to do an open incision surgery if you have scar tissue in the way or complications occur during laparoscopic surgery. Infections such as mononucleosis and toxoplasmosis can be the cause of enlarged spleen. 20th ed. An enlarged spleen is usually detected during a physical exam. Even healthy spleens are soft and easily damaged, especially in car crashes. Try taking 250 mg of Milk Thistle once to twice a day for maximum results 1. Your spleen is an organ that sits just below your left rib cage. The Tanner stages of puberty outlines the developmental changes you can expect and when they might affect your. The spleen can become enlarged due to a variety of illnesses and infections. Can a dogs enlarged heart go back to normal? An abdominal ultrasound is often preferred for evaluating the spleen because its easy to do and doesnt require any radiation. However, at times, an enlarged spleen can cause symptoms like a full sensation in the abdomen, and there is an increased risk of injury when it becomes too large to be protected by the ribcage. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, Give Old Pillows And Comforters A Second Life: Creative & Practical Reuse Ideas, Bed Bath & Beyonds Pillow Return Policy: A Comprehensive Guide, Creating A Treasured Memory Pillow From A Beloved Sweatshirt, Finding The Perfect Pillow For Acid Reflux: A Comprehensive Guide, Is It Safe To Sit On A Pillow? An enlarged spleen can cause a variety of symptoms, such as fatigue, pain in the upper abdomen, and easy bruising. When your spleen becomes enlarged because of CLL, not only can it cause discomfort, but it can sometimes lower your blood cells to dangerous levels. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, it is critical that you see a doctor: a fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, rapid weight loss, stomach pain, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice. . If an enlarged spleen causes serious complications or the underlying cause is not known or cannot be treated, you may be able to remove it (splenectomy). Believe me, if you had a form of blood cancer, the tests you've had would have indicated a problem. This article explains which foods to avoid with an enlarged spleen, the condition's causes. What size is considered splenomegaly? In the case of a virus-caused infection, such as mononucleosis, antibiotics are ineffective. Bona R. Evaluation of splenomegaly and other splenic disorders. https://labtestsonline.org/tests/bone-marrow-aspiration-and-biopsy. Your spleen is a small but hard-working organ hidden behind your stomach and under your diaphragm. Here's what you need to know about splenomegaly. Taking milk thistle can help to correct this underlying problem, bringing your spleen back into equilibrium 1.