what to avoid if you have an enlarged spleen

When should I call my doctor? An enlarged spleen can reduce the number of healthy red blood cells, platelets and white cells in your bloodstream, leading to more frequent infections. The spleen also maintains healthy red and white blood cells and platelets; platelets help your blood clot. Subscribe to Drugs.com newsletters for the latest medication news, new drug approvals, alerts and updates. The condition should be treated at the earliest to prevent serious damage. In some cases, the spleen will need to be removed surgically. People usually find out about it during a physical exam. The spleen sits under your rib cage in the upper left part of your abdomen toward your back. In order for the lymphatic system to properly … “Try to avoid eating foods that place stress on your circulatory and immune systems,” Levy adds. They may include signs and symptoms such as: Your doctor will ask you questions and do a physical exam to diagnose an enlarged, painful spleen. What is the spleen and what causes an enlarged spleen (splenomegaly)? Surgery to remove the spleen may be needed if a cause cannot be found or your enlarged spleen is causing severe problems. Enlarged spleen is a serious condition. You may need any of the following tests: Treatment depends on what is causing your enlarged spleen. You have severe pain in your left upper abdomen. Here are some common causes of an enlarged spleen: Other causes of an enlarged spleen include: Most people don't know they have an enlarged spleen because symptoms are rare. A laparoscope allows the surgeon to view and remove the spleen. In general, to nourish the spleen, foods must be cooked or brought to at least room temperature. Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Coronavirus in Context: Interviews With Experts. If you have blood work that tests positive for EBV virus exposure, or if you have a flare of it, you should have a physical exam to determine if your spleen has enlarged and, perhaps, dropped down. There is a list of precautions you should follow if your spleen is enlarged. In most cases, treatment of the underlying cause of the enlarged spleen can prevent removal of the spleen. "Core" exercises have been the buzzword for some time. Avoid contact sports and limit activity as directed by your healthcare provider. If you're in a car accident, a seat belt can help prevent injury to your spleen.Finally, be sure to keep your vaccinations up to date because your risk of infection is increased. So vaccines or other medications are needed to prevent infection. The possibility of rupture is much greater when your spleen is enlarged. People usually find out about it during a physical exam. In a sense heat “powers” the spleen. You have questions or concerns about your condition or care. Last updated on Nov 16, 2020. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. Eat slowly, chew well, and eat at regular times each day. You may not be aware of the liver or spleen swelling. In some cases, the spleen will need to be removed surgically (splenectomy). What are the symptoms of an enlarged spleen? Because the spleen is involved in many functions, many conditions may affect it. Enlarged spleen: Most people don't know they have an enlarged spleen because symptoms are rare. In some cases, other tests may be needed. Left untreated, an enlarged spleen can lead to serious complications. This condition is most often discovered by a provider. If you have an enlarged … People usually find out about it during a physical exam. If both your liver and spleen are enlarged, it is called hepatosplenomegaly. Potential complications of an enlarged spleen are: 1. For example, if a bacterial infection caused your enlarged spleen, you will receive antibiotics. These are related to the underlying disease. Your spleen is part of your lymph system and helps fight infection. An enlarged spleen can be serious, and your doctor should give you the okay before you start any exercise program. Available for Android and iOS devices. Do not drink large amounts of liquid with meals. If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation to protect your liver and avoid cirrhosis. © 2005 - 2019 WebMD LLC. This will help prevent an injury or rupture (tear) in your spleen. The spleen may need to be surgically removed if hypersplenism causes severe problems. Most people don't know they have an enlarged spleen because symptoms are rare. Sign Up to Receive Our Free Coroanvirus Newsletter, Gastroparesis: What to Eat and What to Avoid, Newly Diagnosed With Crohn's? This involves palpating (examining by touch) your spleen. Although your spleen is a vital part of your immune system, sometimes doctors must remove it. If you have been diagnosed with an enlarged spleen, you should avoid activities that can injure the spleen; a ruptured spleen can be life threatening. The spleen filters blood, removing abnormal blood cells from the bloodstream. Steps to Take, Parasitic infections, such as toxoplasmosis, Trauma, such as an injury during contact sports, Cancer that has spread (metastasized) to the spleen, Feeling discomfort, fullness, or pain on the upper left side of the abdomen; this pain may spread to your left. Like many other health conditions, one treatment for an enlarged spleen is diet changes. In addition to increasing the risk of rupture, situps can also increase pain in the abdomen and slow recovery time. Modifying your activities can reduce the risk of a ruptured spleen.It's also important to wear a seat belt. For example, if a bacterial infection caused your enlarged spleen, you will receive antibiotics. and always wear seat belt while driving. Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. When your spleen is enlarged, it has a greater risk of rupture. For example, viral infections, high alcohol intake, cirrhosis of the liver and parasitic infections are all risk factors for an enlarged spleen. Getting Medical Treatment Take antibiotics if you have a bacterial infection. So, you should avoid foods like cold drinks and frozen food. Some of the ways you can prolong the health of your spleen include avoiding a poor diet high in processed foods, limiting the amount of over-the-counter or prescription drugs you take, which helps cleanse the liver, only drinking alcohol in moderation, and quitting smoking … It is usually a symptom of another problem. All rights reserved. Keep your annual vaccines current. Maybe you have heard of someone whose spleen was enlarged while they had a mono infection, or maybe one of your friends injured their spleen in a car accident. An enlarged spleen is not always a sign of a problem. You should also discuss with your doctor any other necessary changes in order to avoid a ruptured spleen. Also, wear a seatbelt when driving to protect your spleen. It's important to seek treatment for the cause of your enlarged spleen. Anemia and increased bleeding also are possible. These may include blood tests, an ultrasound, or computerized tomography (CT) scan. When a spleen becomes enlarged, though, it often means it has been doing its job but has become overactive. (Moderate drinking means no more than one drink a day for women, and two for … An enlarged spleen is at risk for damage when it grows beyond the protection given to it by the lower ribs. This means you return for another exam in 6 to 12 months or sooner if you develop symptoms. A doctor usually can't feel it during an exam. An enlarged liver may be a sign of a wide range of diseases. You may instead have any of the following: Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms medical history. If surgery is needed, a surgeon is likely to remove the spleen using laparoscopy rather than open surgery. If your doctor recommends a full or partial splenectomy to treat your enlarged spleen, the "Mayo Clinic Family Health Book" advises that you should avoid all strenuous exercise, including situps, for six to eight weeks. Anyone with spleen infection should stay careful and avoid any kind of contact near the abdomen. Nemours Foundation: "Spleen and Lymphatic System.". Basically, if you’re stressed out, chronically ill, and have some digestive issues, you could probably use some spleen strengthening. The spleen can become enlarged for a majority of reasons, including bacterial infections, blood clots, liver disease and can even cause the organ to become permanently damaged, resulting in serious injury 2. Enlarged spleen: Most people don't know they have an enlarged spleen because symptoms are rare. We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information -, Autoimmune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, Pain in the upper left side of your abdomen, Feeling full without eating or after eating a small amount. But diseases can cause it to swell and become many times its normal size. For example, sometimes the spleen is overactive in removing and destroying blood cells. Some of the exercises and yoga postures which are found to help the patients with enlarged spleen are: Viparita Karani, Parsvottanasana and Bharadvajasana. © Copyright IBM Corporation 2020 Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes. So, it is very essential to take the physician’s advice before starting exercises. Avoid eating few foods that place added stress on your body such as common allergens, low-quality animal products, sugary foods and snacks, processed foods and refined vegetable oils. Unless and until the doctor agrees, the patient with enlarged spleen should not start any sort of exercises. Your spleen is in your left upper abdomen, just below your ribs. Ruptured spleen. People usually find … An enlarged spleen is most always felt on physical exam. Avoid contact sports — such as soccer, football and hockey — and limit other activities as recommended by your doctor. Hepatomegaly is the medical term to describe this problem. If you have an untreated enlarged spleen, avoid any contact sports such as football and hockey. These are the most common symptoms of an enlarged spleen: If you have pain that is severe or gets worse when taking a deep breath, see your doctor right away. One of the … It can happen for many reasons, including problems with too many platelets and other disorders of the blood. An enlarged spleen, a condition known as splenomegaly, is not in itself a disease. Limit any activities that could rupture your spleen, such as contact sports. Ask a doctor now You'll feel like you're very tired due to a lack of red blood cells caused by the anaemia. The spleen can become swollen for a lot of different reasons, some more concerning than others. White blood cells produced in the spleen engulf bacteria, dead tissue, and foreign matter, removing them from the blood as blood passes through it. You may not have any signs or symptoms. You have severe pain in your left upper abdomen. People usually find … Rough contact near the spleen can cause it to rupture, and complicate the situation. The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. If your spleen is removed, you cannot effectively clear certain bacteria from your body and will be more vulnerable to certain infections. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 7 Dec 2020), Cerner Multum™ (updated 4 Dec 2020), ASHP (updated 3 Dec 2020) and others. Many people, however, don't even know where it is located. You may not have any symptoms from an enlarged spleen. This means the surgery is performed through small incisions. He or she may be able to feel your enlarged spleen. Exercise. To rebalance the spleen, Levy recommends a diet rich in plant foods that can provide enough hydration to help rid it of foreign matter. The enlarged spleen and neutropenia are suggestive of an ongoing infection. How Long Does Coronavirus Live On Surfaces? Avoid contact sports like wrestling, hockey, football etc. If you have an enlarged spleen, you may develop other signs or symptoms, too. It also helps control the amount of blood cells that flow through your body. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. 2. Even healthy spleens are soft and easily damaged, especially in car crashes. Failure to comply may result in legal action. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. However, you may: Feel a kind of dull pain on the left side of the abdomen or in your back. All illustrations and images included in CareNotes® are the copyrighted property of A.D.A.M., Inc. or IBM Watson Health. An enlarged spleen is also called splenomegaly. A spleen is normally about the size of your fist. If you have no symptoms and no cause, your provider may suggest watchful waiting. A ruptured spleen can cause lots of blood loss and be life threatening. This is called hypersplenism. There's no specific diet for spleen problems, although there's some evidence that certain dietary and lifestyle changes can help alleviate pain in your spleen. You have a fever, chills, and body aches. These foods are difficult to digest and put significant strain on the liver and spleen. This material must not be used for commercial purposes, or in any hospital or medical facility. In most cases, treatment of the underlying cause of the enlarged spleen can prevent removal of the spleen. Enlarged spleen treatment includes exercise. Activity may need to be restricted to prevent any trauma or damage to the spleen when it is enlarged and vulnerable The prognosis of someone with an enlarged spleen depends upon the underlying condition. People with an enlarged spleen need to avoid contact sports because the spleen is at risk of tearing, causing uncontrollable bleeding. he needs to have a blood and urine culture to find the source of in I hope this information has... Not relevant? If you have an inflamed spleen you should also avoid foods like white … A ruptured spleen can lead to heavy internal bleeding that can be life-threatening. First, you should avoid any contact sports such as hockey, soccer, football, and wrestling. This means you return for another exam in 6 to 12 months or sooner if you develop symptoms. This will help prevent infection and illness. Most often, this occurs when the spleen ruptures after an abdominal injury, but it's also necessary as a treatment for certain cancers, blood disorders or infections. If you have no symptoms and no cause, your provider may suggest watchful waiting. You will also likely need diagnostic tests to confirm the cause of the swollen spleen. Besides, an enlarged spleen may rupture, causing internal bleeding or even death. 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. When suffering from an enlarged spleen, avoid fatty and processed foods. ... By following all the above remedies you can reduce enlarged spleen and apart from remedies you can also try for diet that can reduce this problem. Select one or more newsletters to continue. Continued Symptoms of an Enlarged Spleen. Infection. 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