Determining the Cause
Notice symptoms that could signal a problem with your spleen. While some people with an enlarged spleen experience no symptoms, there are some specific symptoms that are associated with this condition. They include: Hiccups Tiredness Frequent infections Inability to eat a lot of food Pain in the belly, specifically the upper left side
Consult with your doctor if you have symptoms of an enlarged spleen. If you suspect that your symptoms are associated with an enlarged spleen, see a doctor right away. Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms, including when they started and how severe they are. They should also do a physical exam, in which they feel the upper left of your belly, right below your ribs. An enlarged spleen can seriously compromise your immune and lymphatic systems, so it’s important to get it treated. This is especially true if you experience extreme pain on the left side of your belly, right under your ribs.
Have medical testing done if your doctor recommends it. If your doctor suspects an enlarged spleen after doing an initial exam, they will suggest tests to verify their suspicions. The tests that your doctor suggests will depend on what they suspect the cause of the enlargement is. Common tests for an enlarged spleen include: An abdominal x-ray An ultrasound A CT scan A complete blood count (CBC) Liver function tests Bone marrow biopsy
Discuss the diagnosis with your doctor. Once your doctor gets your test results back and reviews them, they will tell you what their diagnosis is. The most common causes of an enlarged spleen include: Bacterial or viral infections (mononucleosis is the infection most commonly associated with an enlarged spleen) Liver diseases Blood diseases CancerTip: It may be that your doctor won’t be able to find a cause for your enlarged spleen. If this is the case, there is still hope for treating your condition effectively. Your doctor will still focus their efforts on getting your spleen healthy.
Getting Medical Treatment
Take antibiotics if you have a bacterial infection. If you have an enlarged spleen, it may be that a bacterial infection in the organ is causing it to expand. If this is the case, your doctor will prescribe an antibiotic medication. Some underlying causes of an enlarged spleen, such as cancer, cannot be treated with antibiotics. However, an infection in the organ itself can be treated with antibiotics. Antibiotics with not eliminate a viral infection, such as mononucleosis, so your doctor will not prescribe you this medication if you have that type of infection.
Treat any autoimmune or degenerative diseases that are causing your enlarged spleen. There are a wide variety of diseases that can cause your spleen to become enlarged, so your treatment can vary widely. Your doctor may suggest anything from taking a simple medication all the way to an invasive surgical procedure, so follow their suggestions closely. Some of the autoimmune diseases that can cause a spleen to become enlarged and that will need specialized medical care include: Lupus. This is an autoimmune disease that is typically treated with a combination of immunosuppressant drugs, including corticosteroids and antimalarials. This disease cannot be cured, but doctors are typically very successful at suppressing symptoms and preventing flare-ups with a combination of medications. Rheumatoid arthritis. This chronic inflammatory disease affects the joints. It is treated with immunosuppressant drugs, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and corticosteroids. Sickle cell disease. This is a condition in which the red blood cells do not form properly. It is treated with a combination of medications and blood transfusions. In some rare cases a stem cell transplant may also be required. Cystic Fibrosis. This is a condition that affects the function of the lungs. While it cannot be cured, it is treated with a combination of medication, airway clearing techniques, and surgical interventions. Cirrhosis. This condition is indicative of damage to the liver. It is treated by stopping behaviors that caused the damage, taking medication to control discomfort, and, in some cases, transplanting the liver.
Eliminate any infectious diseases that you may have. Follow your doctor's treatment regime closely to eliminate or control the infection. Many infectious diseases that cause the spleen to become enlarged are treated with medication. Some diseases that can cause a spleen to become enlarged include: Syphilis, which is a sexually transmitted disease. It is treated with antibiotics. The most common antibiotic used is penicillin, although there are alternative medications for those allergic to penicillin. Malaria. This is a contagious disease that is caused by parasites and spread by mosquito bites. It is treated with a series of medications that are determined by the exact strain that you have been infected with.
Treat mononucleosis if it is causing your enlarged spleen. Mononucleosis, commonly known as mono, is a virus that causes extreme fatigue, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, and fever. Because mono is caused by a virus, there is no standard cure or treatment and antibiotics are not effective. Plan to rest, stay hydrated, and treat the symptoms of the virus over the next 2-6 weeks.
Begin cancer treatment if applicable. Cancer treatment can include a combination of a wide variety of treatments, including medication, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and hormone therapy. Follow the specialized plan that your doctor creates for you. Some cancers that can cause your spleen to become enlarged include: Leukemia, which is a type of blood cancer. Treatment for leukemia usually includes a combination of radiation, chemotherapy, and a stem cell transplant. Hodgkin’s disease, which is a cancer of the lymphatic system. Treatment for this type of cancer usually includes chemotherapy and radiation. Tumors in the spleen, which are typically treated with a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.
Have your spleen removed if other treatments are not successful. In some cases, an enlarged spleen will not respond to treatment. At that point, if it is impacting your health, your doctor may say that it’s necessary to have it surgically removed. This is a surgery called a splenectomy and it is an inpatient procedure that requires you to go under general anesthesia. A splenectomy can be done either with an open incision or a laparoscopically. Surgeons typically prefer to do laparoscopic surgery because recovery is usually easier and faster. 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.Did you know? Common reasons that your doctor may suggest having your spleen removed are if they can’t find the source of the problem, if preliminary treatments have not been successful, or if the infection in your spleen is causing organ failure.
Preventing Further Injury at Home
Follow the care directions you were given when you left the hospital. If you have to have a splenectomy, you’ll need to take care of yourself at home in order to heal properly. Home care instructions usually include a combination of keeping the incision site clean, managing your pain and discomfort, and monitoring for signs of infection. Also, take your medication on schedule and care for your body properly. Warning: Keep an eye out for classic signs of an infection. These include having a fever, pus coming out at the incision site, feeling unwell, and having increased pain.
Avoid doing contact sports. If you have an enlarged spleen or are recovering from the condition, it's important not to have a physical impact on the organ. Avoid playing contact sports, such as football, as this is a common way that further injury to the spleen can occur. This does not mean that you can't do any physical activity. Gentle activities, such as walking or swimming, are actually great to do. You just have to be careful of your spleen.
Wear a seat belt when you're riding in a car. Wearing a seat belt can protect your spleen from further damage if you are in an accident. Your spleen can be damaged by impact with the steering wheel or other parts of the vehicle if you get in an accident.
Get your vaccinations on time. If you have a damaged spleen or you have your spleen removed, it's important to protect yourself from disease in the future. Get a flu shot every year and a tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis booster every 10 years. Having timely vaccinations can generally help you avoid serious illness and it can protect your spleen from further damage.
Care for your overall health. Whether you’re recovering from a splenectomy or waiting for an enlarged spleen to heal, it’s important to care for your general health in order to promote faster recovery. Your doctor may recommend eating a nutrient-rich diet, staying hydrated, and getting plenty of rest. If you’re not sure what you can safely eat while your spleen is healing, ask your doctor. You can also help your spleen recover faster by doing stress-reducing activities, such as meditation and yoga.
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