Does a gastroenterologist deal with the spleen?

For example, hematologists (doctors who specialize in treating blood disorders), oncologists (cancer specialists), and gastroenterologists (liver and digestive tract specialists) all commonly take care of patients who may have enlarged spleen as a response to another condition.

Is the spleen part of gastroenterology?

The spleen is not a digestive organ but more an organ of the blood connected to the circulatory system and was henceforth studied in relation to its haematological and immunological functions.

Can the spleen cause digestive problems?

An enlarged spleen typically causes no signs or symptoms, but sometimes it causes: Pain or fullness in the left upper belly that can spread to the left shoulder. A feeling of fullness without eating or after eating a small amount because the spleen is pressing on your stomach.

How do you tell if you have spleen problems?

Doctors can often tell if you have an enlarged spleen by feeling your abdomen. A blood test, CT scan or MRI scan can confirm the diagnosis. The spleen is not usually removed if it's just enlarged. Instead, you'll receive treatment for any underlying condition and your spleen will be monitored.

How do you know if your spleen is not working properly?

pain behind your left ribs and tenderness when you touch this area. dizziness and a rapid heart rate (a sign of low blood pressure caused by blood loss)

Enlarged spleen not diagnosed and untreated|Best Treatment Plan- Dr. Ravindra B S|Doctors' Circle

What type of doctor treats the spleen?

For example, hematologists (doctors who specialize in treating blood disorders), oncologists (cancer specialists), and gastroenterologists (liver and digestive tract specialists) all commonly take care of patients who may have enlarged spleen as a response to another condition.

Can endoscopy look at spleen?

Although CT scan of the abdomen is the most common tool for the diagnosis of splenic abscess, in our case the endoscopic examination was imperative for the histological diagnosis of splenic flexure neoplasm. It also allowed the exceptional visualization of the spleen pulp.

How do they check spleen function?

Blood tests, such as a complete blood count to check the number of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets in your system and liver function. Ultrasound or CT scan to help determine the size of your spleen and whether it's crowding other organs. MRI to trace blood flow through the spleen.

What causes an inflamed spleen?

An enlarged spleen can be caused by infections, cirrhosis and other liver diseases, blood diseases characterized by abnormal blood cells, problems with the lymph system, or other conditions. Other causes of an enlarged spleen include: Inflammatory diseases such as sarcoidosis, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis.

What do doctors do for enlarged spleen?

Your doctor might recommend surgery to remove your spleen (splenectomy) for diagnostic purposes when there's no identifiable cause for the enlargement. More often, the spleen is removed as treatment. After surgery to remove it, the spleen is examined under a microscope to check for possible lymphoma of the spleen.

What is inflammation of the spleen called?

Overview. Splenomegaly is a condition that occurs when your spleen becomes enlarged. It's also commonly referred to as enlarged spleen or spleen enlargement.

Can an enlarged spleen cause reflux?

Often, an enlarged spleen causes no symptoms or signs itself, but they are due to an underlying illness that causes splenomegaly. However, those people who do have symptoms of an enlarged spleen may experience: Indigestion and a feeling of fullness because the enlarged spleen can compress the stomach.

What organs can an endoscopy see?

An endoscopy procedure involves inserting a long, flexible tube (endoscope) down the throat and into the esophagus. A tiny camera on the end of the endoscope lets the doctor examine the esophagus, stomach and the beginning of the small intestine (duodenum).

Can you feel an enlarged spleen yourself?

You may not have any symptoms from an enlarged spleen. However, you may: Feel a kind of dull pain on the left side of the abdomen or in your back. Feel full early, so that you can eat only small amounts.

How do you know if your liver or spleen is enlarged?

an ultrasound, which is typically recommended after an abdominal mass is found during a physical exam. a CT scan, which can reveal an enlarged liver or spleen as well as surrounding organs. blood tests, including a liver function test and a blood clotting test.

What does a ruptured spleen feel like?

The main symptom of a ruptured spleen is severe pain in the abdomen, especially on the left side. The pain may also be referred to (felt in) the left shoulder, and can make breathing painful. Other symptoms, which are associated with a decrease in blood pressure due to internal bleeding, include: Feeling lightheaded.

Can you see the pancreas during an endoscopy?

From the small intestine, endoscopic ultrasound can also be used to look at the pancreas, gallbladder, or bile ducts. For this test, an endoscope is fitted with a small ultrasound probe on its tip.

Which is better CT scan or endoscopy?

Both procedures are relatively safe; CT does expose you to radiation (at a safe level) and if IV contrast dye is used to enhance CT images, some people may be allergic or have the possibility of kidney damage while endoscopy has the risk of bowel perforation and allergic reaction to anesthesia drugs.

Why would a doctor order a CT scan after endoscopy?

F‑18 FDG PET‑CT staging after endoscopy and whole-body CT allows the more accurate detection of metastatic disease. This helps to determine whether the disease is suitable for radical treatment, or whether it is too advanced.

Does an enlarged spleen cause bloating?

Splenomegaly may not always cause symptoms. However, if symptoms do occur, they may include: abdominal bloating. feelings of abdominal fullness, even after eating only a small amount.

What foods irritate the spleen?

Can an enlarged spleen be treated with medication?

Some drugs can shrink an enlarged spleen. Your doctor might try chemotherapy, immunomodulators, and a drug called ruxolitinib (Jakafi). Radiation might help, too. However, you may need surgery to remove an enlarged spleen.

What are 3 diseases that affect the spleen?

Disorders of the spleen include splenomegaly, hypersplenism and splenic rupture.

What autoimmune disease causes enlarged spleen?

Felty's syndrome (FS), also called Felty syndrome, is rare autoimmune disease characterized by the triad of rheumatoid arthritis, enlargement of the spleen and low neutrophil count.

What cancers cause enlarged spleen?

The most common causes of spleen cancer are lymphomas and leukemias. On occasion, other cancers, such as breast, lung, stomach, pancreatic, liver, or colon, are the source of the malignancy. There is a type of cancer that develops in the spleen.