Surgical removal of the spleen is called splenectomy. It contains white blood cells that fight germs. Passing thin instruments into your abdomen through the other incisions, to remove your spleen. The spleen controls the level of white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets (small cells that form blood clots) The spleen has a few important functions: If the spleen doesn't work properly, it may start to remove healthy blood cells. Surgery is only necessary if the enlarged spleen is causing serious complications or if the cause can't be found. Instead, you'll receive treatment for any underlying condition and your spleen will be monitored. If possible, avoid countries where malaria is present. This is because the liver can take over many of the spleen's functions. It is the size of a human fist. Gas will be pumped into your abdomen to make this easier. 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? Bone Marrow: Anatomy, Function, and Treatment. 2. The spleen can become swollen after an infection or injury. Try to avoid tick bites by wearing clothes that cover your skin, particularly long trousers. It may be tender when you touch the area. When it does, it processes and stores more blood, which frequently causes it to enlarge. The spleen can become enlarged, a condition called splenomegaly, as a result of disease or injury. Rupture can happen straight away or it may happen weeks after the injury. 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. Scott Sundick, MD, is board-certified in general surgery and vascular surgery. https://medlineplus.gov/spleendiseases.html#summary​, Ⓒ 2020 About, Inc. (Dotdash) — All rights reserved. the accumulation of Phlegm (although on its own a weak Spleen does not produce Phlegm). It helps the immune system by storing white blood cells and helping in the creation of antibodies. 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. For example: If you need help or emergency treatment, your medical ID will alert the staff to your condition. Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. It fights any invading germs in the blood (the spleen contains infection-fighting white blood cells). Vaccines may need to be given more frequently, particularly the pneumonia vaccine, to prevent serious illness. You may be able to go home the same day, or may need to stay in hospital overnight. A ruptured spleen is a medical emergency that occurs as a result of a break in your spleen's surface. The size of the spleen … You should be able to eat and drink as normal soon after the operation. However, too many sweets, especially … A blood test, CT scan or MRI scan would confirm the diagnosis. 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. Eat the Right Sweet: Spleen energy thrives on sweet flavors. It controls the level of 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. Your doctor will run through these risks with you. 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. 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. 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. Jennifer Whitlock, RN, MSN, FNP-C, is a board-certified family nurse practitioner. The spleen is an oval-shaped organ that sits under the rib cage on the left-hand side of the body. A meningitis vaccine should also be considered along with annual flu shots. Your spleen also helps control the amount of blood in your body, and destroys old and damaged cells. Spleen Houses the Intellect. 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. . It is an important part of your immune system but you can survive without it. The risks of contracting an infection are highest in the first two years following surgery. It screens the blood and removes any old or damaged red blood cells. Antibiotics may be prescribed if there's an infection. Surgery: How to Prepare for a Splenectomy, https://medlineplus.gov/spleendiseases.html#summary​. 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. Since 2012, he has practiced with The Cardiovascular Care Group in New Jersey. It is possible to have the spleen removed and live a healthy life. The spleen is part of your lymphatic system, which fights infection and keeps your body fluids in balance. While the spleen is a little-known organ, it often becomes the cause of significant worry and excitement after a car accident or other incident that leads to bleeding. You'll need a general anaesthetic and may need to stay in hospital for a few days to recover. **** 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. While the spleen is not as well known as other organs, it performs multiple important functions. If you have an enlarged spleen, a less forceful trau… As the spleen is not the only organ responsible for any of these functions, the spleen is not a necessary organ. 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. If you can't, speak to your GP or local pharmacist about anti-malaria medicine before you travel. An enlarged spleen will usually be less efficient in performing its normal functions. Outlined is a very large, but smooth spleen in a cat. Spleen Diseases. Ruptured spleen: A spleen can become ruptured if the body is exposed to an extreme contact … A component of the immune system, the spleen is connected to the lymphatic system. A laparoscope is long, thin, flexible instrument with its own light source. 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 can become damaged or may rupture (burst) after a forceful blow to the abdomen, car accident, sporting accident or fracture to the ribs. The spleen is not usually removed if it's just enlarged. This risk will be present for the rest of your life. Probably the single most important thing the spleen does i… In general, the person without a spleen will go on to have a healthy life. COVID-19: Does not having a spleen affect ability to fight this illness? Another risk is the surgical wound becoming infected. 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