Does the size of the spleen change during pregnancy?
There is very little information in the radiological or medical literature describing changes occurring to the spleen throughout pregnancy in humans. In a recent study, we evaluated the size of the spleen on ultrasonography throughout pregnancy and found a significant overall growth pattern of spleen area with increasing gestational age [1].
What causes an enlarged spleen in a child?
Infections, such as mononucleosis, are among the most common causes of splenomegaly. Problems with your liver, such as cirrhosis and cystic fibrosis, can also cause an enlarged spleen. Another possible cause of splenomegaly is juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
Are You at risk for an enlarged spleen?
Anyone can develop an enlarged spleen at any age, but certain groups are at higher risk, including: People who have Gaucher disease, Niemann-Pick disease, and several other inherited metabolic disorders affecting the liver and spleen Potential complications of an enlarged spleen are:
What causes splenomegaly in pregnancy?
The cause of splenomegaly in pregnancy is not known. A possible explanation might be related to the cardiovascular and haemodynamic changes that occur during pregnancy [13]. Blood volume increases gradually over the gestation period, reaching a 40% increase by term [13].
Can pregnancy cause spleen problems?
Circulating hormones such as estrogen and progesterone cause structural changes to the spleen that may increase the risk of splenic rupture during pregnancy even after minor trauma [1]. Splenic rupture is more common in the third trimester, but some cases of rupture occurred in the post partum period [2, 4].
Is spleen pain normal during pregnancy?
However, rupture of the spleen is an unusual but serious cause of acute abdominal pain in pregnancy and is associated with both maternal and fetal morbidity. This pathology can be classified as traumatic or spontaneous, which commonly occurs in a pre-existing pathology of the spleen.
What causes sudden enlarged spleen?
The spleen can become swollen after an infection or injury. It can also become enlarged as a result of a health condition, such as cirrhosis, leukaemia or rheumatoid arthritis. An enlarged spleen does not always cause symptoms.
What causes splenomegaly in pregnancy?
The cause of splenomegaly in pregnancy is not known. A possible explanation might be related to the cardiovascular and haemodynamic changes that occur during pregnancy [13]. Blood volume increases gradually over the gestation period, reaching a 40% increase by term [13].
Can your spleen rupture from pregnancy?
Ruptured spleen in pregnancy is a rare complication with high maternal and perinatal mortality. It is an important differential diagnosis in women presenting with severe abdominal pain and haemoperitoneum. The aetiology is still an enigma and prompt laparotomy determines a favourable prognosis.
Why does my left abdomen hurt during pregnancy?
Round ligament pain is the most common cause of pain on either side during the second trimester. The round ligaments support the uterus. They stretch during pregnancy to accommodate your growing baby. This is a sharp pain that's felt in the abdomen or in the hip area, on either side.
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.
Can an enlarged spleen go back to normal?
What Is the Prognosis for Enlarged Spleen? Depending upon the cause, the enlarged spleen may return to normal size and function when the underlying disease is treated or resolved. Commonly, in infectious mononucleosis, the spleen returns to normal as the infection gets better.
How serious is an enlarged spleen?
An enlarged spleen can reduce the number of healthy red blood cells, platelets and white cells in your bloodstream, leading to more frequent infections. Anemia and increased bleeding also are possible. Ruptured spleen. Even healthy spleens are soft and easily damaged, especially in car crashes.
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).
What causes spleen pain?
Some common causes of spleen pain include infections such as mono or pneumonia, autoimmune conditions such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, metabolic disorders such as diabetes, or liver diseases such as hepatitis.
What organ is under left rib?
Their function is to protect your organs that lie beneath them. On the left side, this includes your heart, left lung, pancreas, spleen, stomach, and left kidney. When any of these organs are infected, inflamed, or injured, pain can radiate under and around your left rib cage.
What causes a spleen to be enlarged?
A number of conditions, including liver disease and some cancers, can cause your spleen to become enlarged. Your spleen is an organ located just below your left rib cage. Many conditions — including infections, liver disease and some cancers — can cause an enlarged spleen, also known as splenomegaly (spleh-no-MEG-uh-lee).
What are the complications of an enlarged spleen?
Potential complications of an enlarged spleen are: Infection. An enlarged spleen can reduce the number of healthy red blood cells, platelets and white cells in your bloodstream, leading to more frequent infections. Anemia and increased bleeding also are possible.
How does an enlarged spleen affect the body?
An enlarged spleen affects each of these vital functions. As your spleen grows larger, it filters normal red blood cells as well as abnormal ones , reducing the number of healthy cells in your bloodstream. It also traps too many platelets. Excess red blood cells and platelets eventually can clog your spleen and affect normal functioning.
What is the spleen?
Your spleen is an organ located just below your left rib cage. Many conditions — including infections, liver disease and some cancers — can cause an enlarged spleen, also known as splenomegaly (spleh-no-MEG-uh-lee). An enlarged spleen usually doesn't cause symptoms. It's often discovered during a routine physical exam.
Can a doctor feel a normal spleen?
Your doctor generally can't feel a normal-sized spleen in adults but can feel an enlarged spleen. Your doctor will likely request imaging and blood tests to help identify the cause. Treatment for an enlarged spleen focuses on the underlying condition that's causing it. Surgically removing an enlarged spleen isn't usually the first treatment, ...
Can an enlarged spleen cause pain?
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.
What causes a spleen to be enlarged?
A number of diseases and conditions can cause an enlarged spleen. Infections, such as mononucleosis, are among the most common causes of splenomegaly. Problems with your liver, such as cirrhosis and cystic fibrosis, can also cause an enlarged spleen.
What does it feel like to have an enlarged spleen?
A common symptom of an enlarged spleen is a feeling of pain or discomfort in the upper left side of abdomen , where the spleen is located. You might also experience a feeling of fullness after only eating a small amount. This usually happens when the spleen becomes enlarged to the point that it presses on the stomach.
What is splenomegaly lymphatic?
Splenomegaly is a condition that occurs when your spleen becomes enlarged. It’s also commonly referred to as enlarged spleen or spleen enlargement. The spleen is a part of your lymphatic system. It helps the immune system by storing white blood cells and helping in the creation of antibodies. This organ is found on the left side ...
Why does the spleen not filter blood?
If your spleen starts to press on other organs, it can start to affect the blood flow to the spleen. This could cause your spleen to not be able to filter your blood properly. If your spleen becomes too big, it can start to remove too many red blood cells from your blood.
Why is the spleen important?
Your spleen is extremely important in your body’s fight against infection because it’s the source of two types of white blood cells: B cells and T cells. White blood cells protect your body from bacteria and infections. The spleen is usually about the size of your fist, but when enlarged, it can become much bigger.
What diseases are in the spleen?
malaria. Hodgkin’s disease. leukemia. heart failure. cirrhosis. tumors in the spleen or from other organs that have spread to the spleen. viral, bacterial, or parasitic infections. inflammatory diseases, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. sickle cell disease.
When to see a doctor for enlarged spleen?
If you experience pain in the upper left side of your abdomen that is severe, or if the pain worsens when you breathe, see your doctor as soon as possible. If you don’t already have a primary care provider, ...
What causes a spleen to be enlarged?
Here are some common causes of an enlarged spleen: Infections. Viral infections, such as mononucleosis. Parasitic infections, such as toxoplasmosis. Bacterial infections, such as endocarditis (an infection of your heart's valves) Cancer. Leukemia, a cancerin which white blood cells displace normal blood cells.
How do you know if you have an enlarged spleen?
These are the most common symptoms of an enlarged spleen: Being unable to eat a large meal. Feeling discomfort, fullness, or pain on the upper left side of the abdomen; this pain may spread to your left shoulder. If you have pain that is severe or gets worse when taking a deep breath, see your doctor right away.
Why is my spleen overactive?
For example, sometimes the spleen is overactive in removing and destroying blood cells. This is called hypersplenism. It can happen for many reasons, including problems with too many platelets and other disorders of the blood. Causes of an Enlarged Spleen.
Why does the spleen swell?
But diseases can cause it to swell and become many times its normal size. Because the spleen is involved in many functions, many conditions may affect it. An enlarged spleen is not always a sign of a problem. When a spleen becomes enlarged, though, it often means it has been doing its job but has become overactive.
What is the procedure to remove a spleen?
This means the surgery is performed through small incisions. A laparoscope allows the surgeon to view and remove the spleen. If your spleen is removed, you cannot effectively clear certain bacteria from your body and will be more vulnerable to certain infections.
What causes a large abscess?
A large abscess, a pus-filled cavity usually caused by a bacterial infection. Infiltrative diseases such as Gaucher disease, amyloidosis, or glycogen storage diseases. Symptoms of an Enlarged Spleen. Most people don't know they have an enlarged spleen because symptoms are rare.
What tests are needed for a swollen spleen?
These may include blood tests, an ultrasound, or computerized tomography (CT) scan. In some cases, other tests may be needed. Treatments for an Enlarged Spleen.
Why is my spleen enlarged?
Enlarged spleen causes include: Inflammation related to a diet high in chemicals, preservatives, pesticides and other toxins. One of the most likely causes of an enlarged spleen is an infection, since swelling in the spleen signifies an increase in white blood cells that are trying to attack something threatening.
What does it feel like to have an enlarged spleen?
Enlarged spleen symptoms can include: indigestion or feeling uncomfortable when eating, especially after a large meal. spleen pain and tenderness, usually on the upper left side of the abdomen. pain that has spread from the abdomen to the left shoulder. spleen pain when taking deep breaths or moving around.
Why is my spleen swollen?
For example, viral infections, high alcohol intake, cirrhosis of the liver and parasitic infections are all risk factors for an enlarged spleen .
Why does my spleen hurt when I take deep breaths?
spleen pain when taking deep breaths or moving around. low energy levels, possibly even chronic fatigue. symptoms of jaundice (including yellowing of the skin) symptoms of anemia ( 4) unexplained weight loss. frequent infections (such as ear, urinary tract, respiratory or sinus infections) bleeding and bruising easily.
How much does a spleen weigh?
For example, studies suggest that the spleen can range from 58 grams in a 79-year-old woman to 170 grams in a 20-year-old man.
What percentage of college students have enlarged spleens?
Research shows that around 3 percent of healthy first-year college students have enlarged spleens. In some cases, people have genetically enlarged spleens, but it doesn’t affect their overall health. However, for others, it can point to problems like an underlying infection, illness or developing disorder. ( 1)
How to prolong the life of your spleen?
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 or ever using recreational drugs.
How to tell if you have an enlarged spleen?
You may not have any symptoms from an enlarged spleen. However, you may: 1 Feel a kind of dull pain on the left side of the abdomen or in your back. 2 Feel full early, so that you can eat only small amounts. 3 Become anemic (and with that, be tired and/or short of breath).
Why is the spleen important?
The spleen is normally about the size of a fist. The spleen is important because it helps filter the blood. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center.
What is the procedure to remove a spleen?
In certain cases, surgery is required to remove the spleen (an operation called splenectomy ).
