It plays an important role- in the body’s defense against infection. When blood flows into your spleen, your spleen performs "quality control"; your red blood cells must pass through a maze of narrow passages. Learn more about your spleen: https://wb.md/31itxLVIt's that organ right behind the stomach and under the lungs, but honestly what does the spleen do? Antibiotics may be prescribed if there's an infection. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. It is the size of a human fist. It may be tender when you touch the area. You should be able to eat and drink as normal soon after the operation. If you become ill, get medical advice straight away. Stomach, liver and gastrointestinal tract, Children and adults without a spleen (asplenia), Chat to an NHS operator in our Live Chat - opens a new window. People without a working spleen have an increased risk of developing a severe form of malaria. . Diseases that may lead to an enlarged spleen include rheumatoid arthritis, cirrhosis, and leukemia. In these cases, it is customary to remove the spleen, so the loss of blood can be stopped. The spleen works with other organs in the body to complete the tasks of blood storage, fighting infection and filtering the blood. A meningitis vaccine should also be considered along with annual flu shots. Jennifer Whitlock, RN, MSN, FNP-C, is a board-certified family nurse practitioner. The risk is also increased if you have a medical condition such as sickle cell anaemia, coeliac disease or a condition that affects your immune system, such as HIV. It screens the blood and removes any old or damaged red blood cells. So far this seems to be true for COVID-19 as well. As the spleen is not the only organ responsible for any of these functions, the spleen is not a necessary organ. Like an oil filter in your car, the spleen cleans your blood as it flows through it. The spleen is an oval-shaped organ that sits under the rib cage on the left-hand side of the body. The spleen is a brown, oval-shaped organ located in the upper left side of the abdomen just below the rib cage. A ruptured spleen is a medical emergency that occurs as a result of a break in your spleen's surface. It contains white blood cells that fight germs. The spleen participates in the creation of blood cells and also helps to filter out the blood, removing old blood cells and fighting infection. You should start taking them at the first sign of an infection, so see your GP as soon as possible. It's a good idea to carry or wear some medical ID. Healthcare professionals will mark your health records to show that you don't have a working spleen. Think of your lymphatic system like this: If your body were a city, the organs and fluids that make up the lymphatic system would be the policemen, firefighters andthe garbage men. The incisions will then be stitched up or sometimes glued together. However, too many sweets, especially … Young children have a higher risk of serious infection than adults, but the risk is still small. It's often discovered during a routine physical exam. The … If possible, avoid countries where malaria is present. A Review of Spleen Function and Role in Myeloproliferative Neoplasms. That said, an individual without a spleen will always have a greater risk of contracting pneumonia and reduced effectiveness of vaccines. Another risk is the surgical wound becoming infected. It controls the level of blood cells. Recovery usually takes a few weeks. While most people are somewhat healthier with a spleen, it is absolutely possible to have a normal life without a spleen. An enlarged spleen doesn't always cause symptoms. The spleen has a high amount of blood flow, which can lead to a tremendous amount of bleeding when there is a serious injury and the bleeding can quickly become life-threatening. Some people are born without a spleen or need to have it removed because of disease or injury. You may be able to go home the same day, or may need to stay in hospital overnight. Often, in emergencies, this will be the preferred method to rapidly control bleeding. The size of the spleen … If you go home the same day, someone will need to stay with you for the first 24 hours. Part of the lymphatic system, it performs a number of important functions in the body that protect us from the effects of outside “invaders,” stress and certain deficiencies. The spleen is part of the immune system and plays an important role in fighting infections. Certain diseases might cause your spleen to … Probably the single most important thing the spleen does i… It can expand over time from normal size (which is approximately the size of a small chicken breast) to the size of a softball or approaching the size of a volleyball. \"The spleen . COVID-19: Does not having a spleen affect ability to fight this illness? Laparoscopic splenectomy allows a surgeon to access the inside of your abdomen without having to make large incisions (cuts) in your skin. 2. Your doctor or nurse will advise when you can go back to your usual activities, such as driving. This risk will be present for the rest of your life. The spleen can become enlarged, a condition called splenomegaly, as a result of disease or injury. In a trauma situation, particularly a severe car crash where an individual is wearing a seat belt, the force of impact can actually cause the spleen to rupture and begin to hemorrhage blood. The spleen is a fist-sized organ found in the upper left side of your abdomen, next to your stomach and behind your left ribs. In general, the person without a spleen will go on to have a healthy life. While the spleen is useful and does perform vital tasks, other organs in the body also work to filter the blood and fight infection, and blood cells are mainly produced in the bones. Spleen tumor in dogs is a type of metastatic cancer that is highly dangerous and with poor survival rates, most commonly seen in certain dog breeds. Why Would Someone Need Surgery to Remove Their Spleen? It may sometimes be more appropriate to have just part of your spleen removed – a partial splenectomy. Most splenectomies are carried out using laparoscopy (keyhole surgery). However, something can happen in the body that disrupts the workings of the spleen. For many, aside from being advised to have more vaccines than other individuals might, the end of the recovery from surgery is the last time they are concerned about their spleen. Spleen Houses the Intellect. It acts as a filter for blood as part of the immune system. Its roles include filtering blood, storing platelets and white blood cells, recycling broken down red blood cells, and destroying harmful microorganisms like bacteria. For example: If you need help or emergency treatment, your medical ID will alert the staff to your condition. However, sometimes chronic enlargement develops, a … The spleen is a part of your lymphatic system. . This is normal and usually disappears when the disease goes away. This organ is … Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Ruptured spleen: A spleen can become ruptured if the body is exposed to an extreme contact … The spleen is an organ about the size of a clenched fist found on the left-hand side of your upper tummy (abdomen). You should be given breathing and leg movement exercises to do at home, to reduce your risk of getting a blood clot or a chest infection. The spleen is rarely the cause of health issues so it is often overlooked when talking about wellness and prevention of illness. Making several incisions in your abdomen (tummy area). The spleen is not usually removed if it's just enlarged. It recognizes and removes old, malformed, or damaged red blood cells. Your doctor will run through these risks with you. The most common reasons to do a splenectomy are to treat a ruptured spleen, an enlarged spleen or other disorders of the spleen and blood disorders. At this point, we do not know for sure how lacking a spleen might affect a person’s ability to fight COVID-19. Don’t include personal information e.g. Like any operation, a splenectomy carries a small risk of complications, including bleeding and infection. Individuals without a spleen may be more likely to contract some types of infections as the body will have fewer B cells, the cells that "remember" exposure to bacterias and "remember" how to fight them. An operation to remove the spleen, known as a splenectomy, may be needed if the spleen is damaged, diseased or enlarged. Otherwise, look out for: Doctors can often tell if you have an enlarged spleen by feeling your abdomen. It is the largest organ in our lymphatic system. This is because the liver can take over many of the spleen's functions. If you spot any signs of infection, contact your GP or hospital immediately, as you may need antibiotics. You'll need a general anaesthetic and may need to stay in hospital for a few days to recover. The risks of contracting an infection are highest in the first two years following surgery. Individuals who have had their spleen removed will need to tell healthcare providers that their spleen is absent, as they will always be at higher risk for infection. This can lead to: Spleen pain is usually felt as a pain behind your left ribs. The spleen also helps to control the amount of blood circulating through the body by creating a reserve pool of blood that can be released during severe bleeding to help improve circulation, oxygenation and blood pressure in dire circumstances. However, you will still need a general anaesthetic. Your doctor generally can't feel a normal-sized spleen in adults but can feel an enlarged spleen. It is attached to a camera and will relay high definition, magnified pictures back to a TV screen to guide the surgeon's instruments. She has experience in primary care and hospital medicine. Antibiotics are particularly important: Watch out for signs of infection, such as: Your GP can prescribe a course of antibiotics for you to use if you get an infection. Open surgery, where one large incision is made, may be needed if the spleen is too large or too damaged to be removed via keyhole surgery. This means you will still be able to cope with most infections. The spleen has a few important functions: It fights any invading germs in the blood (the spleen contains infection-fighting white blood cells). As the spleen is not the only organ responsible for any of these functions, the spleen is not a necessary organ. If you go trekking or camping regularly, you may be at risk of babesiosis, which is a rare disease transmitted by ticks. If you can't, speak to your GP or local pharmacist about anti-malaria medicine before you travel. Your spleen's main function is to act as a filter for your blood. What Medical Conditions Affect the Spleen? A splenic infarction refers to the death of some of the spleen tissue due to an interruption in blood supply 5 8 9. The spleen has a few important functions: If the spleen doesn't work properly, it may start to remove healthy blood cells. name, location or any personal health conditions. The spleen works with other organs in the body to complete the tasks of blood storage, fighting infection and filtering the blood. The scars from your operation will gradually fade. Medline Plus. Try to avoid tick bites by wearing clothes that cover your skin, particularly long trousers. The spleen controls the level of white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets (small cells that form blood clots) This can be a sign of a damaged, ruptured or enlarged spleen. Sometimes, if you lie down and raise your legs, the pain can be felt at the tip of your left shoulder. The spleen is an organ found in almost all vertebrate animals. A component of the immune system, the spleen is connected to the lymphatic system. Your spleen also helps control the amount of blood in your body, and destroys old and damaged cells. It controls the level of blood cells. Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. A ruptured spleen is a medical emergency, as it can cause life-threatening bleeding. Enlarged spleen (splenomegaly): An enlarged spleen can have many different causes, but it is typically due to an underlying condition which leads to either overwork of the organ or an excess of cellular material.One of the most common causes is the overproduction of red blood cells in bone marrow. It is also a key part of your body's immune system. Eat the Right Sweet: Spleen energy thrives on sweet flavors. Guiding a laparoscope into your body through one of the incisions, so doctors can see what they're doing. It is around 4 to 5 inches long. If your infection becomes serious, you will be admitted to hospital. It is important that a person without a spleen not ignore early signs of infection, such as a fever, as the body is more likely to require antibiotics to fight infection effectively. The spleen has some important functions: it fights invading germs in the blood (the spleen contains infection-fighting white blood cells) it controls the level of blood cells (white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets) it filters the blood and removes any old or damaged red blood cells Unlike organs that are noticed every day, such as the skin, most people never think about the spleen unless it becomes damaged by trauma. The spleen is one of the least understood organs of the human body. It can also become enlarged as a result of a disease such as cirrhosis, leukaemia or rheumatoid arthritis. acts as a blood filter; it controls the amount of red blood cells and blood storage in the body, and helps to fight infection,\" said Jordan Knowlton, an advanced registered nurse practitioner at the University of Florida Health Shands Hospital. **** Common signs and symptoms include sudden pain and tenderness in the upper left abdomen, left shoulder pain, fever, chills and a generalized feeling of being ill. It is this overlap in duties makes it possible for the spleen to be removed without causing lasting harm to the individual. Bites from animals and ticks (small blood-sucking parasites) can cause infections. While the spleen is useful and does perform vital tasks, other organs in the body also work to filter the blood and fight infection, and blood cells are mainly produced in the bones. Bone Marrow: Anatomy, Function, and Treatment. It is an important part of your immune system but you can survive without it. **As with a spleen injury, signs and symptoms vary according to the extent of organ damage 9. It is possible to have the spleen removed and live a healthy life. Spleen Diseases. the accumulation of Phlegm (although on its own a weak Spleen does not produce Phlegm). Surgery: How to Prepare for a Splenectomy, https://medlineplus.gov/spleendiseases.html#summary​. A laparoscope is long, thin, flexible instrument with its own light source. By removing old or damaged red blood cells and adding white blood cells to your bloodstream to respond to infections, the spleen helps keep your immune system functioning. It fights any invading germs in the blood (the spleen contains infection-fighting white blood cells). For most viruses, not having a spleen does not seem to be a major risk factor for illness. This means how we process information and think things through – working with its partner, the Stomach. an increased risk of infection, from a reduced number of white blood cells, bleeding or bruising, from a reduced number of platelets, pain behind your left ribs and tenderness when you touch this area, dizziness and a rapid heart rate (a sign of low blood pressure caused by blood loss), feeling full very quickly after eating (an enlarged spleen can press on the stomach), feeling discomfort or pain behind your left ribs. It's normal to feel sore and be bruised after a splenectomy, but you'll be given pain relief medication. The spleen, working as a part of the lymphatic system, also detects viruses and … If you have an enlarged spleen, a less forceful trau… You should also be vaccinated against: It's recommended that you take low-dose antibiotics for the rest of your life to prevent bacterial infections. It mainly acts as a filter for purifying the blood, removing microbes and worn out or damaged red blood cells. 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. Your spleen is an organ located just below your left rib cage. Individuals without a spleen may be more … You should also use mosquito nets and insect repellent. You'll need to avoid contact sports for a while, as you'll be at greater risk of rupturing the spleen while it is enlarged. The spleen is part of your lymphatic system, which fights infection and keeps your body fluids in balance. The spleen controls the level of white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets (small cells that form blood clots). Vaccines may need to be given more frequently, particularly the pneumonia vaccine, to prevent serious illness. If you get bitten by an animal, particularly a dog, start your course of antibiotics and seek medical advice urgently. A blood test, CT scan or MRI scan would confirm the diagnosis. Surgery is only necessary if the enlarged spleen is causing serious complications or if the cause can't be found. The spleen can become swollen after an infection or injury. The spleen is an organ found in virtually all vertebrates.Similar in structure to a large lymph node, it acts primarily as a blood filter.The word spleen comes from Ancient Greek σπλήν (splḗn).. Since 2012, he has practiced with The Cardiovascular Care Group in New Jersey. If there's time, you'll be advised to have a series of immunisations before the operation. The spleen plays important roles in regard to red blood cells (erythrocytes) and the immune system. for the first two years after your spleen is removed, if your immune system doesn't work properly, redness and swelling around the surgical wound, if your spleen is removed, the hospital may give you a splenectomy card to take home with you, you may want to buy your own medical ID, such as a MedicAlert or Medi-Tag bracelet or pendant, you may be advised to take a course of antibiotics with you, find out if you need an extra meningitis vaccination (types ACWY), check if you need any travel vaccinations. Your spleen, situated just under your rib cage on your left side, helps your body fight infection and filter old blood cells from your bloodstream.A forceful blow to your abdomen — during a sporting mishap, a fistfight or a car crash, for example — is the usual cause of a ruptured spleen. It contains special white blood cells that destroy bacteria and help your body fight infections. 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