Eat slowly, chew well, and eat at regular times each day. Unless and until the doctor agrees, the patient with enlarged spleen should not start any sort of exercises. Limit any activities that could rupture your spleen, such as contact sports. The spleen filters blood, removing abnormal blood cells from the bloodstream. (Moderate drinking means no more than one drink a day for women, and two for … In most cases, treatment of the underlying cause of the enlarged spleen can prevent removal of the spleen. Avoid contact sports like wrestling, hockey, football etc. Enlarged spleen treatment includes exercise. People usually find … If both your liver and spleen are enlarged, it is called hepatosplenomegaly. This means you return for another exam in 6 to 12 months or sooner if you develop symptoms. Your spleen is in your left upper abdomen, just below your ribs. You may not have any signs or symptoms. How Long Does Coronavirus Live On Surfaces? Like many other health conditions, one treatment for an enlarged spleen is diet changes. It also helps control the amount of blood cells that flow through your body. If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation to protect your liver and avoid cirrhosis. These are related to the underlying disease. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 7 Dec 2020), Cerner Multum™ (updated 4 Dec 2020), ASHP (updated 3 Dec 2020) and others. When suffering from an enlarged spleen, avoid fatty and processed foods. An enlarged spleen can reduce the number of healthy red blood cells, platelets and white cells in your bloodstream, leading to more frequent infections. Enlarged spleen is a serious condition. So vaccines or other medications are needed to prevent infection. Although your spleen is a vital part of your immune system, sometimes doctors must remove it. Because the spleen is involved in many functions, many conditions may affect it. “Try to avoid eating foods that place stress on your circulatory and immune systems,” Levy adds. Failure to comply may result in legal action. All rights reserved. The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Coronavirus in Context: Interviews With Experts. Nemours Foundation: "Spleen and Lymphatic System.". Most often, this occurs when the spleen ruptures after an abdominal injury, but it's also necessary as a treatment for certain cancers, blood disorders or infections. People usually find out about it during a physical exam. An enlarged spleen is most always felt on physical exam. When your spleen is enlarged, it has a greater risk of rupture. Subscribe to Drugs.com newsletters for the latest medication news, new drug approvals, alerts and updates. In general, to nourish the spleen, foods must be cooked or brought to at least room temperature. Steps to Take, Parasitic infections, such as toxoplasmosis, Trauma, such as an injury during contact sports, Cancer that has spread (metastasized) to the spleen, Feeling discomfort, fullness, or pain on the upper left side of the abdomen; this pain may spread to your left. All illustrations and images included in CareNotes® are the copyrighted property of A.D.A.M., Inc. or IBM Watson Health. In some cases, the spleen will need to be removed surgically (splenectomy). Maybe you have heard of someone whose spleen was enlarged while they had a mono infection, or maybe one of your friends injured their spleen in a car accident. ... By following all the above remedies you can reduce enlarged spleen and apart from remedies you can also try for diet that can reduce this problem. You will also likely need diagnostic tests to confirm the cause of the swollen spleen. If your spleen is removed, you cannot effectively clear certain bacteria from your body and will be more vulnerable to certain infections. © 2005 - 2019 WebMD LLC. If you have no symptoms and no cause, your provider may suggest watchful waiting. He or she may be able to feel your enlarged spleen. People with an enlarged spleen need to avoid contact sports because the spleen is at risk of tearing, causing uncontrollable bleeding. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This involves palpating (examining by touch) your spleen. One of the … A laparoscope allows the surgeon to view and remove the spleen. Activity may need to be restricted to prevent any trauma or damage to the spleen when it is enlarged and vulnerable The prognosis of someone with an enlarged spleen depends upon the underlying condition. It's important to seek treatment for the cause of your enlarged spleen. Left untreated, an enlarged spleen can lead to serious complications. This is called hypersplenism. he needs to have a blood and urine culture to find the source of in I hope this information has... Not relevant? Besides, an enlarged spleen may rupture, causing internal bleeding or even death. You may need any of the following tests: Treatment depends on what is causing your enlarged spleen. Getting Medical Treatment Take antibiotics if you have a bacterial infection. Your spleen is part of your lymph system and helps fight infection. So, you should avoid foods like cold drinks and frozen food. An enlarged spleen can be serious, and your doctor should give you the okay before you start any exercise program. A ruptured spleen can lead to heavy internal bleeding that can be life-threatening. People usually find out about it during a physical exam. Sign Up to Receive Our Free Coroanvirus Newsletter, Gastroparesis: What to Eat and What to Avoid, Newly Diagnosed With Crohn's? You'll feel like you're very tired due to a lack of red blood cells caused by the anaemia. For example, if a bacterial infection caused your enlarged spleen, you will receive antibiotics. Also, wear a seatbelt when driving to protect your spleen. Here are some common causes of an enlarged spleen: Other causes of an enlarged spleen include: Most people don't know they have an enlarged spleen because symptoms are rare. This means you return for another exam in 6 to 12 months or sooner if you develop symptoms. It is an organ that is part of the lymph system and works as a drainage network that defends your body against infection. In order for the lymphatic system to properly … You have severe pain in your left upper abdomen. What are the symptoms of an enlarged spleen? An enlarged liver may be a sign of a wide range of diseases. What is the spleen and what causes an enlarged spleen (splenomegaly)? In some cases, other tests may be needed. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. Rough contact near the spleen can cause it to rupture, and complicate the situation. If you have no symptoms and no cause, your provider may suggest watchful waiting. Avoid eating few foods that place added stress on your body such as common allergens, low-quality animal products, sugary foods and snacks, processed foods and refined vegetable oils. An enlarged spleen is also called splenomegaly. Avoid contact sports and limit activity as directed by your healthcare provider. For example, if a bacterial infection caused your enlarged spleen, you will receive antibiotics. Continued Symptoms of an Enlarged Spleen. Select one or more newsletters to continue. © Copyright IBM Corporation 2020 Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes. Some of the ways you can prolong the health of your spleen include avoiding a poor diet high in processed foods, limiting the amount of over-the-counter or prescription drugs you take, which helps cleanse the liver, only drinking alcohol in moderation, and quitting smoking … An enlarged spleen is at risk for damage when it grows beyond the protection given to it by the lower ribs. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Available for Android and iOS devices. Enlarged spleen: Most people don't know they have an enlarged spleen because symptoms are rare. This will help prevent infection and illness. If you have blood work that tests positive for EBV virus exposure, or if you have a flare of it, you should have a physical exam to determine if your spleen has enlarged and, perhaps, dropped down. Avoid contact sports — such as soccer, football and hockey — and limit other activities as recommended by your doctor. The enlarged spleen and neutropenia are suggestive of an ongoing infection. These foods are difficult to digest and put significant strain on the liver and spleen. If surgery is needed, a surgeon is likely to remove the spleen using laparoscopy rather than open surgery. Anyone with spleen infection should stay careful and avoid any kind of contact near the abdomen. 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. For example, viral infections, high alcohol intake, cirrhosis of the liver and parasitic infections are all risk factors for an enlarged spleen. An enlarged spleen is not always a sign of a problem. There is a list of precautions you should follow if your spleen is enlarged. It can happen for many reasons, including problems with too many platelets and other disorders of the blood. The spleen can become enlarged for a majority of reasons, including bacterial infections, blood clots, liver disease and can even cause the organ to become permanently damaged, resulting in serious injury 2. To rebalance the spleen, Levy recommends a diet rich in plant foods that can provide enough hydration to help rid it of foreign matter. The spleen can become swollen for a lot of different reasons, some more concerning than others. They may include signs and symptoms such as: Your doctor will ask you questions and do a physical exam to diagnose an enlarged, painful spleen. If your doctor recommends a full or partial splenectomy to treat your enlarged spleen, the "Mayo Clinic Family Health Book" advises that you should avoid all strenuous exercise, including situps, for six to eight weeks. You have a fever, chills, and body aches. First, you should avoid any contact sports such as hockey, soccer, football, and wrestling. It is usually a symptom of another problem. You may not be aware of the liver or spleen swelling. White blood cells produced in the spleen engulf bacteria, dead tissue, and foreign matter, removing them from the blood as blood passes through it. A doctor usually can't feel it during an exam. Even healthy spleens are soft and easily damaged, especially in car crashes. In some cases, the spleen will need to be removed surgically. This material must not be used for commercial purposes, or in any hospital or medical facility. If you have an untreated enlarged spleen, avoid any contact sports such as football and hockey. You have questions or concerns about your condition or care. The possibility of rupture is much greater when your spleen is enlarged. This condition is most often discovered by a provider. Anemia and increased bleeding also are possible. We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information -, Autoimmune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, Pain in the upper left side of your abdomen, Feeling full without eating or after eating a small amount. Exercise. An enlarged spleen, a condition known as splenomegaly, is not in itself a disease. Ruptured spleen. Some of the exercises and yoga postures which are found to help the patients with enlarged spleen are: Viparita Karani, Parsvottanasana and Bharadvajasana. Modifying your activities can reduce the risk of a ruptured spleen.It's also important to wear a seat belt. If you're in a car accident, a seat belt can help prevent injury to your spleen.Finally, be sure to keep your vaccinations up to date because your risk of infection is increased. In a sense heat “powers” the spleen. You may not have any symptoms from an enlarged spleen. A ruptured spleen can cause lots of blood loss and be life threatening. This will help prevent an injury or rupture (tear) in your spleen. People usually find out about it during a physical exam. In most cases, treatment of the underlying cause of the enlarged spleen can prevent removal of the spleen. When a spleen becomes enlarged, though, it often means it has been doing its job but has become overactive. You should also discuss with your doctor any other necessary changes in order to avoid a ruptured spleen. Most people don't know they have an enlarged spleen because symptoms are rare. If you have an enlarged spleen, you may develop other signs or symptoms, too. The spleen may need to be surgically removed if hypersplenism causes severe problems. If you have an inflamed spleen you should also avoid foods like white … You have severe pain in your left upper abdomen. Enlarged spleen: Most people don't know they have an enlarged spleen because symptoms are rare. The spleen also maintains healthy red and white blood cells and platelets; platelets help your blood clot. Surgery to remove the spleen may be needed if a cause cannot be found or your enlarged spleen is causing severe problems. 2. Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. However, you may: Feel a kind of dull pain on the left side of the abdomen or in your back. "Core" exercises have been the buzzword for some time. There's no specific diet for spleen problems, although there's some evidence that certain dietary and lifestyle changes can help alleviate pain in your spleen. The condition should be treated at the earliest to prevent serious damage. and always wear seat belt while driving. If you have been diagnosed with an enlarged spleen, you should avoid activities that can injure the spleen; a ruptured spleen can be life threatening. For example, sometimes the spleen is overactive in removing and destroying blood cells. A spleen is normally about the size of your fist. Infection. These may include blood tests, an ultrasound, or computerized tomography (CT) scan. This means the surgery is performed through small incisions. Many people, however, don't even know where it is located. In addition to increasing the risk of rupture, situps can also increase pain in the abdomen and slow recovery time. People usually find … But diseases can cause it to swell and become many times its normal size. Ask a doctor now If you have an enlarged … Do not drink large amounts of liquid with meals. When should I call my doctor? You may instead have any of the following: Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms medical history. So, it is very essential to take the physician’s advice before starting exercises. Hepatomegaly is the medical term to describe this problem. The spleen sits under your rib cage in the upper left part of your abdomen toward your back. Keep your annual vaccines current. Potential complications of an enlarged spleen are: 1. Last updated on Nov 16, 2020. Basically, if you’re stressed out, chronically ill, and have some digestive issues, you could probably use some spleen strengthening. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. These are the most common symptoms of an enlarged spleen: If you have pain that is severe or gets worse when taking a deep breath, see your doctor right away. Avoid, Newly Diagnosed with Crohn 's tests may be needed this involves (... A lot of different reasons, including problems with too many platelets and other disorders of the cause. 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