\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. You'll receive either a general or a local anesthetic before the test to ease discomfort. If this is the case, there is still hope for treating your condition effectively. Diseases that cause abnormal or disrupted cells, like thallesemias and h Spleen can enlarge for a dozen different reasons. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Making lifestyle changes, such as getting regular exercise, eating a healthy diet, and avoiding alcohol, can help . This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. X Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner. An abdominal ultrasound is often preferred for evaluating the spleen because its easy to do and doesnt require any radiation. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). There are no natural treatments for an enlarged spleen. Anti-inflammatory diet. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Enlarged spleen: Bed rest won't have any effect: no benefit, no harm. Humans come in a variety of shapes and sizes. However, the spleen can enlarge by performing its normal functions in response to another medical condition. Many illnesses and diseases result from the enlarged spleen as a permanent physical finding and may result in only a fair prognosis because the person may be more prone to splenic injury, infections, and abnormal bleeding. 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. 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 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. Polyomavirus, lupus, and mono can all be caused by an enlarged spleen (splenomegaly). National Health Service (UK) Depending on the cause, individuals with splenomegaly may seek urgent doctor visits if they have evidence of bleeding, an infection that is not well controlled at home, or severe abdominal pain. Rosenberg H, et al. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Cirrhosis of the liver is the most common cause of enlarged spleens, but infections, cancer, and other diseases can also cause them. Depending upon the cause, the enlarged spleen may return to normal size and function when the underlying disease is treated or resolved. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. In: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. Your doctor will advise you to avoid sports and exercise as much as possible until your swelling subsides. Commonly, in infectious mononucleosis, the spleen returns to normal as the infection gets better. including conditions linked to an enlarged spleen: Sugar-sweetened beverages: soda, milkshakes, iced tea, energy drinks. In very serious cases of spleen dysfunction, the organ can be . Having timely vaccinations can generally help you avoid serious illness and it can protect your spleen from further damage. Can enlarged spleen heal itself? Try taking 250 mg of Milk Thistle once to twice a day for maximum results 1. Another thing that you cannot do is scuba dive. The main symptom of a ruptured spleen is severe pain in the abdomen, especially on the left side. health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health Here's what you need to know about splenomegaly. Your doctor might order these tests to confirm the diagnosis of an enlarged spleen: Received my after Chemo PET results. When the spleen is enlarged, it is referred to as splenomegaly (speh-no-MEG-uh-lee). Merck Manual Professional Version. An enlarged spleen (splenomegaly) may be easier to palpate during a careful abdominal examination. Pumpkin is another excellent food to treat spleen enlargement. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\n<\/p><\/div>"}, Mental Hospitals: A Complete Guide to Involuntary & Voluntary Commitment, https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003276.htm, https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/symptoms/splenomegaly, https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/splenomegaly#diagnosis-of-splenomegaly, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/17829-enlarged-spleen, https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/spleen-problems-and-spleen-removal/, https://pedclerk.uchicago.edu/sites/pedclerk.uchicago.edu/files/uploads/1-s2.0-S0268960X08000787-main.pdf, https://www.lupus.org/resources/finding-the-treatment-approach-for-you, https://www.arthritis.org/about-arthritis/types/rheumatoid-arthritis/treatment.php, https://medlineplus.gov/magazine/issues/winter11/articles/winter11pg18.html, https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/lungs-and-airways/cystic-fibrosis#treating-cystic-fibrosis, https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/liver-disease/cirrhosis/treatment, https://www.cdc.gov/std/syphilis/treatment.htm, https://www.cdc.gov/malaria/diagnosis_treatment/treatment.html, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/13974-mononucleosis/management-and-treatment, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4365-leukemia/management-and-treatment, https://www.cancer.gov/types/lymphoma/patient/adult-hodgkin-treatment-pdq, https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002944.htm, Pain in the belly, specifically the upper left side. 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