Attentive attention to the signals that our body gives is always a guarantee that serious diseases can be recognized in time and prevent their consequences. How to recognize the signals of spleen disease, what to look for in such a condition, and why this organ is so important, it is worth understanding in more detail.
What is the spleen for?
Every person is more or less familiar with anatomy and roughly imagines the meaning of a particular organ. Many people vaguely imagine the importance of such an organ as the spleen: the functions in the body that it performs remain a mystery to most people.
This organ is the largest element of the human lymphatic system, and to put it quite simply, it is the largest lymph node. The work of the spleen is to perform the hematopoietic function, restore and purify blood cells.
A natural process is the death of certain blood cells, after which the spleen takes care of replenishing them. Today, almost everyone knows what antibodies to viruses are - without them, our body cannot resist a viral disease. But the fact that their development - in the first place,the merit of the spleen, many forget and do not pay due attention to the he alth of this organ.
What does the spleen look like and where is it located?
Where the spleen is located in a person, everyone needs to know in order to pay attention to alarming symptoms and not confuse problems in this organ with the work of the digestive system.
This organ is located on the left side of the abdominal cavity, slightly behind the stomach and just below the diaphragm. Close proximity to the stomach sometimes slows down the recognition of the symptoms of spleen diseases - a person believes that he just overate or got indigestion.
In appearance, it looks like a slightly flattened oval, purple or dark purple. A he althy spleen in size does not exceed 12 centimeters and 150 grams in weight: if the mass of this organ is much higher and the size is increased, we are talking about pathological processes, as a result of which the spleen is enlarged. The photos in this section will allow you to see what this organ looks like and where it is located.
Vital functions: what does the spleen do?
Every day, our organs are doing an invisible to us, but very painstaking and important work. The spleen is no exception: what is blood formation, what are the processes taking place in the spleen, can be understood from its main functions:
- Production of lymphocytes. These cells are the basis for the production of antibodies to fight viruses and infections, so the role of the spleen in the immune systemcannot be overestimated.
- Blood filtering. The spleen removes damaged, deformed, or old red blood cells, producing new ones instead.
- Blood supply. In the spleen, in the process of producing new cells, a certain reserve of them is created. It becomes necessary in traumatic situations associated with a sudden loss of a large amount of blood.
- Iron accumulation. In the process of filtering the blood in the spleen, not only the removal of harmful organisms occurs, but also the deposition of useful substances. One of the most significant is iron, the supply of which is processed by the body into hemoglobin, which is necessary to provide oxygen to all tissues and organs.
What is the disease of the spleen?
Most often, an organ reacts to infections and malfunctions with its size, resulting in splenomegaly, or an enlarged spleen. A person may not know that such a phenomenon is present in the body, but a running process always requires treatment.
In addition, the spleen can be subject to abscesses, the appearance of cysts and tumors, as well as heart attacks of varying severity.
Affect the he alth of this organ and age-related changes - the spleen can atrophy in the process of aging.
Also, a frequent reason to see a doctor is a violation of the spleen as a result of its twisting - the so-called volvulus of the spleen. Only a surgeon can diagnose and treat such a phenomenon.
How to understand what to eatproblem: symptoms of spleen disease
In diseases of this organ, a pronounced pain syndrome is rarely manifested, therefore it is difficult to diagnose problems at an early stage. Nevertheless, knowing the location of this organ will allow you to listen to yourself and determine where the spleen hurts.
The reason for examining the condition of the spleen can be frequent and severe infectious diseases, chronic cardiovascular diseases, as well as chronic or recurrent inflammatory processes in the body.
A blood test can also indicate the poor condition of this organ: low hemoglobin, insufficient number of red blood cells and lymphocytes should be the reason for a more detailed examination.
A common occurrence - splenomegaly can be accompanied by a visible increase in this organ, when the spleen begins to protrude from under the left rib. That such a disease is really present can be confirmed by the therapist during the examination: he will visually assess the degree of enlargement of the organ and determine its condition with the help of palpation. After that, an additional examination may be required in order to prescribe treatment.
How is the spleen examined for prevention and treatment?
The simplest and most affordable methods for examining the spleen are an examination by a general practitioner and a clinical blood test.
Based on these simple actions, the therapist can determine whether the organ is enlarged and whether it copes with its functions normally. Can be assigned if neededadditional diagnostics.
Also, the state of the spleen can be assessed using ultrasound of the gastrointestinal tract. Such an examination can be carried out along with a blood test for preventive purposes once a year. Ultrasound is absolutely safe and can detect the problem at an early stage.
If tumor processes in the spleen are suspected, an X-ray examination, MRI and organ puncture can be prescribed. The last procedure is quite complicated and is prescribed only as a last resort.
How to save and is it possible to do without it?
The most radical method in the fight against diseases of the spleen is its complete surgical removal. This organ does not carry vital functions, and a person after such a procedure is able to live for many more years. But do not underestimate the importance of the spleen - after its removal, the protective functions of the body are significantly reduced, a person is much more susceptible to viruses and infections, as well as complications after any illness.
In some cases, only part of the organ can be surgically removed, while it is noted that after the operation the spleen is able to somewhat restore its original size.
Most often, surgical removal is resorted to after bruises and other injuries of the abdomen. The spleen is irretrievably injured, up to organ rupture, and its urgent removal is required to save a person's life.
In order to prevent problems with the spleen, various bruises and blows to the abdomen should be avoided, and in casethe occurrence of such a situation, do not hesitate to consult a doctor.
A he althy lifestyle also contributes to the normal functioning of the body: proper nutrition, moderate physical activity for a good state of the cardiovascular system, as well as immune support in the form of vitamin and immunomodulatory drugs.
Attentive attitude to your he alth and the condition of all its organs is the key to a long, he althy and happy life!
