\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. This will help to prevent your spleen from becoming more swollen. Brett11 4 years ago This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. An enlarged spleen (splenomegaly) may be easier to palpate during a careful abdominal examination. Abnormal flow of blood to the spleen or invasion of the organ with abnormal cells and deposits can also lead to enlargement. Your doctor will advise you to avoid sports and exercise as much as possible until your swelling subsides. include protected health information. spleens are typically small enough to fit inside a fist. Merck Manual Professional Version. If a person has extremely pronounced splenomegaly, the spleen can weigh between . Super Tips to Boost Digestive Health: Bloating, Constipation, and More. Enlargement of lymph nodes and spleen. This usually happens because of Bacterial and Viral Infections Treatment for leukemia usually includes a combination of radiation, chemotherapy, and a stem cell transplant. Cirrhosis. Accessed April 22, 2021. Splenomegaly refers to an enlarged spleen. Adequate rest allows the body time to heal and repair itself, which might be exactly what your spleen needs to return to normal size. Elective spleen removal requires careful consideration. You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. An enlarged spleen is more fragile than a normal spleen. Depending upon the cause, the enlarged spleen may return to normal size and function when the underlying disease is treated or resolved. Determination of normal splenic volume in relation to age, gender and body habitus: a stereological study on computed tomography. Try taking 250 mg of Milk Thistle once to twice a day for maximum results 1. Finally, be sure to keep your vaccinations up to date because your risk of infection is increased. Most of these dogs can live for around six months, just by removing the spleen and without any further follow-up treatment. (13.0 cm) for boys. Prevention of splenomegaly in itself may be meaningless. Radiation therapy is a more advanced treatment option for an enlarged spleen that you can try if your body fails to respond to other treatments 2. Ultrasound uses sound waves to create images of inside the body on a computer screen. The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. 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. Ultrasonography or computed tomography . What Are the Best PsA Treatments for You? However, in some people especially those who are slender a healthy, normal-sized spleen can sometimes be felt during an exam. How do you heal an enlarged spleen naturally? An enlarged spleen usually doesn't cause symptoms. Our study indicates that spleen size increases slightly-moderately in the first stages of the infection, . In very serious cases of spleen dysfunction, the organ can be . Reducing MAO-B levels thus keeps some of these chemicals active in the body longer than normal. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Score: 4.4/5 ( 58 votes) Symptoms of an Enlarged Spleen. Old, damaged, or abnormal red blood cells are caught in a maze of narrow tunnels within the spleen. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. You will want to see your doctor and see what (s)he wants you to do. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Enlarged Spleen and Diet: Are There Foods You Should Avoid? These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Holdtight Member Posts: 151. . The spleen also stores white blood cells and platelets. There are no natural treatments for an enlarged spleen. 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. In serious cases, your doctor might suggest that you have your spleen removed, which is called a splenectomy. The extra blood can help keep blood flowing for a short time until the bleeding is stopped. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Ginger. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. References. This usually happens when the spleen becomes enlarged to the point that it presses on the stomach. Infections, liver problems, blood cancers, and metabolic disorders can all cause your spleen to become enlarged, a condition called splenomegaly. Cancers, for example, lymphoma and leukemia. Your doctor can often feel it by gently examining your left upper belly. Some of the medical causes of splenomegaly, however, may be preventable, such as cessation of alcohol abuse to prevent liver cirrhosis, or prophylaxis against malaria when planning a trip to an endemic area. Otherwise, many symptoms associated with an enlarged spleen are related to the underlying cause of the enlargement. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. If you have an enlarged spleen, you may not notice it at all. Why Is Your Ulcerative Colitis Getting Worse? Belial1134. An enlarged spleen may cause: No symptoms in some cases Pain or fullness in the left upper abdomen that may spread to the left shoulder Feeling full without eating or after eating only a small amount from the enlarged spleen pressing on your stomach Anemia Fatigue Frequent infections Easy bleeding DOI: Determining spleen size and diagnosis with an ultrasound, hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/test_procedures/gastroenterology/abdominal_ultrasound_92,P07684, mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/enlarged-spleen/symptoms-causes/syc-20354326, chp.edu/our-services/transplant/liver/education/organs/spleen-information, What You Should Know About an Enlarged Spleen. Turmeric. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Another cause of splenic pain is enlargement or splenomegaly of the spleen. An enlarged spleen can be caused by a variety of factors, including bacterial infections, blood clots, and liver disease, and it can even permanently damage the organ. For boys and girls, there is relatively little difference in size, according to a study published in the American Journal of Roentgenology. An enlarged spleen may not manifest any symptoms. Follow-up with the treating physician is an important part of the process as many complications can occur if patients are not compliant with medical recommendations. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. (2016). Even though I'm 62 yrs of age, I really give er. See how the average height for men in the United States compares worldwide. A blood test to check your levels of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets may also be ordered to help diagnose the cause of a spleen enlargement. It is important to talk to a doctor about the best way to position oneself for comfort and to avoid further pain or discomfort. Because an enlarged spleen is often times a symptom for an already existing health problem in the body, by discovering and treating this existing problem, you can bring your spleen back into proper health 2. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. When your spleen is enlarged, you are at an . Common reasons that your doctor may suggest having your spleen removed are if they cant find the source of the problem, if preliminary treatments have not been successful, or if the infection in your spleen is causing organ failure. This was a very dangerous situation for me as I continued to be active in sports, more specifically cycling and hockey. Can an enlarged spleen go back to normal? Cirrhosis of the liver is the most common cause of enlarged spleens, but infections, cancer, and other diseases can also cause them. Your sex and height can also affect its size. Can an enlarged spleen go back to normal? A small percentage of the normal American population may have a palpable or enlarged spleen. Walking should be fine. Odds are you will give blood and they will run a bunch of tests and start eliminating possibilities. 1 Can an enlarged spleen go back to normal? information highlighted below and resubmit the form. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. It can also become enlarged as a result of a health condition, such as cirrhosis, leukaemia or rheumatoid arthritis. Splenectomy. The spleen is an organ located in the upper-left side of the abdomen. Depending upon the cause, the enlarged spleen may return to normal size and function when the underlying disease is treated or resolved. We avoid using tertiary references. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. After a series of tests and procedures, a medical professional will then be able to more accurately determine the cause of your enlarged spleen and better understand how to fix it 2. Allowing the body to rest does wonders for your immune system, as well as internal organs. Certain Yoga exercises can actually help to massage and support the spleen, if done correctly. 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 spleen helps to filter and maintain healthy red and white blood cells and platelets and also plays a role in the function of the immune system. researchers found reduced activity by the enzyme in the heart, lungs, kidneys and spleen . (2015). A contrast dye and a CT/MRI scan are used to evaluate phonological pain. In general, a person without a spleen will go on to have a healthy life, but .