By Andreas Moritz Gallstones in the liver may lead to poor circulation, enlargement of the heart and spleen, varicose veins, congested lymph vessels, and hormone imbalances. When gallstones have grown large enough to seriously distort the structural framework of the lobules (units) of the liver, blood flow through the liver becomes increasingly difficult. This not only ]
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Can gallbladder problems cause enlarged spleen?
Gallbladder: Thickened gallbladder + gallstones in the absence if symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea / vomiting associated with meals= chronic gallbladder disease. This may or may not be related to the enlarged spleen. Certain hereditary diseases such as hereditary spherocytosis may be associated with spleen enlargement and gallstones.
Can gallstones and spherocytosis cause enlarged spleen?
Certain hereditary diseases such as hereditary spherocytosis may be associated with spleen enlargement and gallstones. See your doctor to sort this out. Ask U.S. doctors your own question and get educational, text answers — it's anonymous and free!
Can gallstones cause inflammation of the gallbladder?
A gallstone that becomes lodged in the neck of the gallbladder can cause inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis). Cholecystitis can cause severe pain and fever. Blockage of the common bile duct. Gallstones can block the tubes (ducts) through which bile flows from your gallbladder or liver to your small intestine.
What causes an enlarged spleen?
But a number of conditions, including liver disease and some cancers, can cause your spleen to become enlarged. 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.
What organs do gallstones affect?
Gallstones are hardened deposits of digestive fluid that can form in your gallbladder. Your gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ on the right side of your abdomen, just beneath your liver. The gallbladder holds a digestive fluid called bile that's released into your small intestine.
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.
What causes a spleen to enlarge?
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 can be done for an 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.
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.
What infections cause enlarged spleen?
What causes an enlarged spleen?Viral, fungal and bacterial infections.Hemolytic anemia, in which the spleen destroys healthy red blood cells.Blood clots of the veins from the spleen or liver.Liver diseases, including cirrhosis.Cancers, such as leukemia and lymphoma.More items...•
Can your spleen be enlarged for no reason?
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 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.More items...•
Can an ultrasound show an enlarged spleen?
An x-ray, ultrasound, CT, or MRI may show the enlarged spleen. You may be given contrast liquid to help the spleen show up better in the pictures.
What are symptoms of an enlarged spleen?
SymptomsPain 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)Frequent infections.Bleeding easily.
What foods irritate the spleen?
Enlarged Spleen Foods to AvoidSugary 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.More items...•
How do you shrink an enlarged spleen?
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.
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 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 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.
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.
What diseases affect the liver?
Parasitic infections, such as malaria. Cirrhosis and other diseases affecting the liver. Various types of hemolytic anemia — a condition characterized by early destruction of red blood cells. Blood cancers, such as leukemia and myeloproliferative neoplasms, and lymphomas, such as Hodgkin's disease.
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 are the symptoms of gallstones?
Seek immediate care if you develop signs and symptoms of a serious gallstone complication, such as: Abdominal pain so intense that you can't sit still or find a comfortable position. Yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes (jaundice) High fever with chills.
How to prevent gallstones?
Include more fiber-rich foods in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Maintain a healthy weight. Obesity and being overweight increase the risk of gallstones.
What causes pain in the pancreas?
Pancreatic juices, which aid in digestion, flow through the pancreatic duct. A gallstone can cause a blockage in the pancreatic duct, which can lead to inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). Pancreatitis causes intense, constant abdominal pain and usually requires hospitalization. Gallbladder cancer.
What is the fluid in the gallbladder called?
The gallbladder holds a digestive fluid called bile that's released into your small intestine. Gallstones range in size from as small as a grain of sand to as large as a golf ball. Some people develop just one gallstone, while others develop many gallstones at the same time.
What is the name of the fluid that is produced in the liver and stored in the gallbladder?
Gallstones. Gallstones are hardened deposits of bile that can form in your gallbladder. Bile is a digestive fluid produced in your liver and stored in your gallbladder. When you eat, your gallbladder contracts and empties bile into your small intestine (duodenum).
What are the different types of gallstones?
Types of gallstones. Types of gallstones that can form in the gallbladder include: Cholesterol gallstones. The most common type of gallstone, called a cholesterol gallstone, often appears yellow in color. These gallstones are composed mainly of undissolved cholesterol, but may contain other components.
How long does gallstone pain last?
Back pain between your shoulder blades. Pain in your right shoulder. Nausea or vomiting. Gallstone pain may last several minutes to a few hours.
Why are gallstones not flowing freely?
Resistance to the hormone insulin , leading to type 2 diabetes. Kidney and lung failure. Problems fighting infection.
How to stop liver damage?
You can also make lifestyle changes that can help you feel better and might stop further damage to your liver. Eat a balanced diet. No matter how advanced your cirrhosis, a well-balanced, nutritious diet is one of the best ways to stay healthy.
What are the complications of cirrhosis?
These are some possible complications of cirrhosis: Swelling in your legs and abdomen, which can lead to a serious bacterial infection. Enlarged blood vessels in your esophagus or stomach, which can burst and cause serious internal bleeding. This requires immediate medical attention.
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.
