Radica
The position of the spleen is just below the ribs on the left side. The spleen is a soft, spongy organ that can be easily damaged. Among other things, the function of the spleen is to create lymphocytes, filter and destroy old and damaged blood cells.
The spleen plays a key role in preventing infections, that is, defending our body. Increased spleen (inflammation of the spleen) affects each of these vital functions. Splenomegaly or enlarged spleen can reduce the number of red and white blood cells.Most people do not have symptoms of enlarged spleen. The problem is often detected during routine check-up, in some patients the symptom is painful spleen or pain in the area, but most patients do not associate pain with spleen. Enlarged spleen can also be detected by x-ray and magnetic resonance imaging . If you have an enlarged spleen, your doctor will probably ask for a blood test and blood test to determine the cause.
Causes of enlarged spleen
Many infections and diseases can contribute to the onset of enlarged spleen . The effect on your spleen can only be temporary, depending on how well the treatment progresses. Factors that contribute to the onset of enlarged spleen include:
- Viral infections – such as mononucleosis .
- Bacterial infections – such as syphilis .
- Parasitic infection
- polycythemia
- sarcoidosis
- thalassemia
- Lupus
- Cirrhosis and other diseases affecting the liver.
- Different types of hemolytic anemia – a condition characterized by premature destruction of red blood cells by the blood.
- Cancer, leukemia and lymphoma, such as Hodgkin’s disease.
- Metabolic disorders
- Pressure on veins in spleen or liver or blood clot in these veins.
Symptoms of an enlarged spleen
In some cases, the symptoms are absent, and if they occur, the most common are:
- Pain in left upper abdomen that can spread to left shoulder.
- Feeling satiety without food or after eating only a small amount of food – this can happen when an enlarged spleen presses on your stomach.
- Anemia
- Fatigue
- Frequent infections
Splenectomy (spleen removal)
An enlarged spleen (inflammation of the spleen) can rupture due to injury. For this reason, as well as the fact that the spleen is not one of the most important organs, your doctor may advise you to remove the enlarged spleen. The professional name for spleen enlargement is splenectomy.
Splenectomy can also be a part of diagnostic procedures if it is a blood type disorder. Spleen removal is a large but relatively safe operation. The absence of the spleen does not cause problems, since most of the spleen functions are taken up by the lymph glands in other parts of the body.
Surgery is avoided when it comes to young children , because in that case children lose their resistance to all possible infections. Open splenectomy (classic surgery) takes about 90 minutes , while laparoscopic surgery lasts a little longer, but is less invasive. The most common complication is internal bleeding .
Treatment of enlarged spleen
If the cause of enlarged spleen (spleen inflammation) is identified, treatment focuses on the underlying problem. For example, if you have a bacterial infection, treatment includes antibiotics .
If an enlarged spleen causes serious complications or the underlying problem cannot be identified or treated, surgical removal of your spleen may be an option. In fact, in chronic or critical cases, removal offers the best hope for recovery.
You can live an active life without a spleen, but then you are a person at greater risk of contracting infection. It has been proven that the body of a person living without a spleen tends to fight infections.
Spleen – herbs treatment and nutrition
The best cure for enlarged spleen is prevention – reducing the risk of infections that cause both lymph node swelling and spleen enlargement. Eat lots of foods that boost immunity , these are mostly foods that are rich:
- Folic acid – liver, whole grains, green leafy vegetables, kernels, yeast.
- Flavonoids – onions, lettuce, basil, cranberries , garlic, kale , spinach, asparagus, fennel, soy, red beans.
- Copper – liver, kidneys, meat, shells, plums, cherries, cherries, grapes, pepper, peas, beans, cereals, yeasts, olives, chocolate.
- Iodine – fish, algae, shellfish and other seafood.
- Iron – lean red meat, fish (sardines), eggs, cereals, pumpkin seeds, sesame, chia seeds , spinach, chard, kale, broccoli, sprouts, cabbage, beans, peas.
- Limit your consumption of refined carbohydrates (sugar, white flour).
- Exercise regularly to strengthen your immunity.
- Avoid alcohol , tobacco and caffeine products.
- Eat some raw garlic every day , garlic is a natural antibiotic .
- Consume the herbal remedy echinacea, goat or shiitake mushrooms, and flower or seal infant basgina extract to fight infection.
- You can use chamomile tea , chamomile tea , parsley seeds , tea or peppermint capsules for pain .
- If you have a sore throat that results from an infection and you have an enlarged spleen, have a sip of three to six times a day with thyme , thyme , sealant or pea tea .
