Which diseases or disorders can affect your spleen?

Your spleen is an organ that sits just below your left rib cage. Many conditions — including infections, liver disease and some cancers — can cause an enlarged spleen
enlarged spleen
If an enlarged spleen causes serious complications or the cause can't be identified or treated, surgery to remove your spleen (splenectomy) might be an option. In chronic or critical cases, surgery might offer the best hope for recovery. Elective spleen removal requires careful consideration.
https://www.mayoclinic.org › enlarged-spleen › drc-20354331
. An enlarged spleen is also known as splenomegaly (spleh-no-MEG-uh-lee). An enlarged spleen usually doesn't cause symptoms.
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What are 3 diseases that affect the spleen?

Disorders of the spleen include splenomegaly, hypersplenism and splenic rupture.
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What medical problems can you have with your spleen?

Spleen problems
  • anaemia, from a reduced number of red blood cells.
  • an increased risk of infection, from a reduced number of white blood cells.
  • bleeding or bruising, caused by a reduced number of platelets.
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What are the symptoms of a diseased spleen?

Examples of signs and symptoms caused by an illness, which results in an enlarged spleen may include:
  • Weakness.
  • Easy bruising and shortness of breath (anemia)
  • Weight loss (cancer)
  • Fever (infection)
  • Jaundice.
  • Nausea and vomiting (liver disease)
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What causes your spleen to mess up?

A ruptured spleen is typically caused by a blow to the left upper abdomen or the left lower chest, such as might happen during sporting accidents, fistfights and car crashes. An injured spleen can rupture soon after the abdominal trauma or, in some cases, days or weeks after the injury.
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Spleen 02: disorders in function



What is the most common cause of an enlarged spleen?

Infections, such as mononucleosis, are among the most common causes of splenomegaly. Problems with your liver, such as cirrhosisand cystic fibrosis, can also cause an enlarged spleen. Another possible cause of splenomegaly is juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. This condition can cause inflammation of the lymph system.
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What does an inflamed spleen feel like?

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. Low red blood cells (anemia)
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Can Covid 19 affect your spleen?

Conclusion: Our study indicates that spleen size increases slightly-moderately in the first stages of the infection, and this increase is correlated with the COVID-19 severity score calculated on the chest CT data, and in this respect, it is similar to infections presenting with cytokine storm.
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Can your spleen affect your bowels?

It's situated next to your spleen. While gas is normal, splenic flexure syndrome can cause excessive gas and discomfort. This condition, considered a chronic digestive disorder, is thought to be a sub-type of irritable bowel syndrome.
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What is Felty syndrome?

Felty syndrome is usually described as associated with or a complication of rheumatoid arthritis. This disorder is generally defined by the presence of three conditions: rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an enlarged spleen (spenomelgaly) and a low white blood cell count (neutropenia).
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What cancers cause enlarged spleen?

Spleen cancers are typically secondary, meaning that they originate elsewhere and then spread to the 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.
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What 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.
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What foods irritate the spleen?

Enlarged Spleen Foods to Avoid
  • Sugary Foods. If you consume food items that are high in sugar, then these can influence your general immune system negatively and they are also harmful to your spleen. ...
  • Alcohol. ...
  • Caffeine. ...
  • Diet Sodas. ...
  • Processed Oils. ...
  • Fast Foods. ...
  • Cold Foods. ...
  • Cooked Vegetables.
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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.
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Can thyroid affect spleen?

Histological and immunohistochemical results showed that the spleen and diaphragm metastases derived from thyroid follicular carcinoma. Radioiodine uptake by the pulmonary metastases confirmed the thyroid source.
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Can stress cause enlarged spleen?

“Stress appears to prompt the release of stem cells from the bone marrow to the spleen, where they develop into white blood cells, or monocytes, and expand over time,” Godbout said.
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Can the spleen cause back pain?

People may also have abdominal or back pain in the area of the spleen in the upper left part of the abdomen or the left side of the back. The pain may spread to the left shoulder, especially if parts of the spleen do not get enough blood and start to die.
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Does Covid affect the liver and spleen?

In particular, liver and spleen dysfunctions have been described both as complications of COVID-19 and as potential predisposing factors for severe COVID-19.
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Can Covid cause splenic infarction?

Introduction: Multiple studies suggest that SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with a pro-thrombotic state and thrombotic events have been recorded in several organs and systems. We report a patient with no respiratory symptoms, presented with abdominal pain and an extensive splenic infarction after COVID-19.
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Will enlarged spleen show up on blood test?

Your doctor might order these tests to confirm the diagnosis of an enlarged spleen: 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.
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How do you check your spleen at home?

Palpation for splenic enlargement should begin with the patient supine and with knees flexed. Using the right hand, the examiner should begin well below the left costal margin and feel gently but firmly for the splenic edge by pushing down, then cephalad, then releasing (Figure 150.1).
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What foods heal the spleen?

So what can I eat to strengthen the Spleen?
  • Meat: poultry, lamb, beef, venison.
  • Fish: trout, salmon, tuna, shellfish.
  • Fruit: apples, apricots, dates, figs, sweet cherries, peach, plums, red grapes, dried fruit such as raisins.
  • Veggies: cabbage, pumpkin, carrot, sweet potato.
  • Grains: amaranth, oats, millet, polenta, rice.
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What to avoid if you have an enlarged spleen?

Additionally, limiting or cutting out the foods and drinks below can help protect against the development of diseases, including conditions linked to an enlarged spleen:
  • Sugar-sweetened beverages: soda, milkshakes, iced tea, energy drinks.
  • Fast food: french fries, burgers, pizzas, tacos, hot dogs, nuggets.
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What vitamins are good for the spleen?

Vitamins to Help the Spleen
  • The correct balance of vitamins is necessary for keeping the spleen working optimally. ...
  • Vitamin B-12 can be found in fortified cereals. ...
  • Iron is found in red meat, cereals and dark leafy vegetables. ...
  • Vitamin C will help your body absorb iron.
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Are bananas good for spleen?

The best foods for spleen health are sweet foods, such as bananas, blueberries, honey and figs. Sweet foods also include whole grains and root vegetables.
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