- Main causes of spleen pain
- 1. Rupture of the spleen
- 2. Increased spleen function
- 3. Liver problems
- 4. Diseases that cause infiltration
- What is the treatment
Spleen pain can happen when this organ suffers some type of injury or when it increases in size, and the pain can be perceived when coughing or even when touched. In these situations, in addition to pain, it is also possible to observe changes in the blood test.
The spleen is an organ located in the upper left part of the abdomen and its functions are to filter the blood and eliminate the injured red blood cells, in addition to producing and storing white blood cells for the immune system. Learn about other functions of the spleen.
Main causes of spleen pain
Spleen pain can happen due to changes in its function, as a result of illness or as a result of rupture. The main causes of spleen pain are:
1. Rupture of the spleen
Although rare, it is possible that the spleen ruptures due to accidents, fighting or as a result of a rib fracture, for example. The rupture of the spleen is rare due to the location of this organ, which is protected by the stomach and the rib cage, but when it does lead to the appearance of some signs and symptoms, such as pain in the left side of the upper abdomen, with sensitivity to touch, dizziness, increased heart rate due to intraperitoneal bleeding, pallor or feeling sick.
A ruptured spleen is a medical emergency because it can cause very serious bleeding, which is why an evaluation by the doctor and an immediate start of treatment is necessary. Learn more about spleen rupture.
2. Increased spleen function
Some situations can lead to changes in spleen functions, with more or less blood cell production and, normally, these situations result in an enlarged spleen. The main causes of increased spleen function are pernicious anemia, thalassemia, hemoglobinopathies, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, myelofibrosis, hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia, for example.
In addition, the spleen may also increase due to its increased function in responding to medications and infections such as AIDS, viral hepatitis, cytomegalovirus, tuberculosis, malaria or Leishmaniasis, for example.
3. Liver problems
Liver problems such as cirrhosis, obstruction of the hepatic veins, splenic artery aneurysm, congestive heart failure or portal hypertension can also cause an enlarged spleen and lead to pain in the upper left side of the abdomen.
4. Diseases that cause infiltration
Some diseases can lead to an enlarged spleen and the appearance of pain, such as amyloidosis, leukemia, lymphoma, myeloproliferative syndrome, metastatic cysts and tumors, which are diseases characterized by cell infiltration which can result in the enlargement of this organ.
What is the treatment
The treatment for spleen pain is done according to the cause, and it is important for this to make the correct diagnosis so that the most appropriate treatment is established. In some cases it may be necessary to use antibiotics, when it is an infection or when there is a risk of infection, in addition to chemo or radiation therapy in case the pain is due to some type of cancer.
In more serious situations, your doctor may recommend removing the spleen, which is known as a splenectomy. This procedure may involve the total or partial removal of the spleen, according to the severity of the cause, and indicated mainly in the case of cancer, spleen rupture and splenomegaly, which corresponds to the enlarged spleen. Understand how splenectomy is performed.
