Spleen Pain and Enlarged Spleen

Spleen pain and enlarged spleen can be alarming symptoms that may indicate underlying health issues. The spleen, located under the ribcage on the left side of the body, plays a crucial role in filtering blood and supporting the immune system. When the spleen becomes enlarged, it can cause discomfort and pain in the upper left abdomen, potentially radiating to the left shoulder. Common causes of an enlarged spleen include infections, liver diseases, and blood disorders.

Spleen pain and enlarged spleen should not be ignored, as they can signify serious medical conditions. An enlarged spleen, known as splenomegaly, can result from various factors such as mononucleosis, liver cirrhosis, or certain cancers like leukemia and lymphoma. The spleen’s increased size can lead to a heightened risk of rupture, especially with physical trauma, which is a medical emergency. Symptoms accompanying an enlarged spleen might include fatigue, frequent infections, and easy bleeding or bruising. Early diagnosis and management are critical to address the root cause and prevent complications.

Enlarged Spleen Causes, Symptoms and Treatments

The spleen is a small organ located right behind your left rib cage. An enlarged spleen can be caused by a variety of factors, including infections, liver illness, and various cancers. The medical term for an enlarged spleen is splenomegaly (spleh-no-MEG-uh-lee). 

Usually, an enlarged spleen does not produce any symptoms. Most of the time, it’s identified during a standard physical examination. Unless the spleen is huge, a doctor can’t generally feel it in an adult. An enlarged spleen can be diagnosed via imaging and blood tests. 

The cause of an enlarged spleen determines the treatment. Surgery to remove an enlarged spleen is rarely necessary, but it is occasionally advised. 

The spleen, located in the upper left abdomen, plays a crucial role in the body’s immune system by filtering blood and managing red blood cells and platelets. Bacterial infections such as tuberculosis or endocarditis can cause spleen enlargement. Autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis also contribute to this condition due to chronic inflammation.

Symptoms of an enlarged spleen include a feeling of fullness or spleen pain in the upper left abdomen, potentially spreading to the left shoulder. This pain can be severe if the spleen presses on other organs. Other symptoms might include fatigue, frequent infections, and easy bleeding. A significant risk is a ruptured spleen, which is a medical emergency.

What Does Pain from the Spleen Feel Like?

A sense of pain or discomfort in the upper left side of the abdomen, where the spleen is located, is a common sign of an enlarged spleen. You may also feel full after only a tiny amount of food has been consumed. This occurs when the spleen enlarges to the point where it presses against the stomach. 
Pain from the spleen is typically felt under the left rib cage and can sometimes be confused with rib pain. This discomfort might be dull and throbbing or sharp and stabbing, depending on the underlying causes. Common conditions that can lead to spleen pain include infections, liver diseases, and blood disorders like sickle cell anemia.

The symptoms of spleen pain can vary but often include a sense of fullness in the left upper abdomen, which might radiate to the left shoulder. In more severe cases, the pain can be accompanied by fever, fatigue, and an increased risk of infections. It’s essential to identify the root cause of the pain, as this can help determine the most effective treatment.

To diagnose spleen pain, doctors often rely on blood tests to check for infections, anemia, and other potential issues. Imaging tests like ultrasounds or CT scans can also help visualize the spleen’s size and condition. In some cases, a blood clot in the spleen’s vessels can cause significant pain and requires immediate medical attention.

What Are the Symptoms of Enlarged Spleen? 

An enlarged spleen typically causes no signs or symptoms, but sometimes it causes: 

• Pain or fullness in the left upper belly that can spread to the left shoulder 
• A feeling of fullness without eating or after eating a small amount because the spleen is pressing on your stomach 
• Low red blood cells (anemia) 
• Frequent infections 
• Bleeding easily 
• When to see a doctor: See your doctor promptly if you have pain in your left upper belly, especially if it’s severe or the pain gets worse when you take a deep breath. 

An enlarged spleen can manifest through several distinct symptoms. One of the primary signs is spleen pain, which is typically felt under the left rib cage and can extend to the left side of the abdomen. This pain can vary from a dull ache to a sharp, stabbing sensation, and it may also radiate to the left shoulder.

What Are the Causes of Enlarged Spleen? 

An enlarged spleen can be caused by a variety of infections and diseases. Depending on the treatment, the enlargement could be temporary. The following are some of the contributing factors: 

• Viral infections, such as mononucleosis 
• Bacterial infections, such as syphilis or an infection of your heart’s inner lining (endocarditis) 
• Parasitic infections, such as malaria 
• Cirrhosis and other diseases affecting the liver 
• Various types of hemolytic anemia — a condition characterized by early destruction of red blood cells 
• Blood cancers, such as leukemia and myeloproliferative neoplasms, and lymphomas,  such as Hodgkin’s disease 

• Metabolic disorders, such as Gaucher disease and Niemann-Pick disease 
• Pressure on the veins in the spleen or liver or a blood clot in these veins 
• Autoimmune conditions, such as lupus or sarcoidosis 

Blood clots in the veins of the spleen or liver can obstruct blood flow, causing the spleen to swell. Diagnosing an enlarged spleen involves physical examination, imaging, and blood tests to identify underlying conditions.

Treatment Options

• Infections: Antibiotics or antiviral medications.
• Liver diseases: Medications or lifestyle changes.
• Blood disorders: Chemotherapy or targeted therapies.
• Autoimmune diseases: Immunosuppressive drugs.
• Blood clots: Anticoagulant medications.

Treatment for an enlarged spleen focuses on addressing the underlying cause. In severe cases, a splenectomy may be necessary. Spleen pain often manifests in the upper left abdomen and can radiate to the left shoulder. Recognizing and treating the causes promptly is crucial for maintaining health.

What Are the Risk Factors?

Anyone can develop an enlarged spleen at any age, but certain groups are at higher risk, including: 

• Children and young adults with infections, such as mononucleosis 
• People who have Gaucher disease, Niemann-Pick disease, and several other inherited metabolic disorders affecting the liver and spleen 
• People who live in or travel to areas where malaria is common

The causes of an enlarged spleen are varied and often include infections and inherited metabolic disorders. This vital organ plays a key role in the body’s immune system. Common symptoms include upper left abdominal pain, a sense of fullness without eating much, and fatigue. Additionally, referred pain can occur, where the pain extends to the left shoulder, indicating the spleen’s distress. Other signs might include increased susceptibility to infections and easy bleeding. Recognizing these risk factors and symptoms early is crucial for effective diagnosis and management, ensuring that underlying conditions are treated promptly to prevent complications.

What Are the Complications? 

Potential complications of an enlarged spleen are: 

• Infection: The quantity of healthy red blood cells, platelets, and white cells in your bloodstream can be reduced by an enlarged spleen, leading to more diseases. Anemia and excessive bleeding are also possible side effects. 
• Ruptured spleen: Even healthy spleens are soft and easily damaged, especially in car crashes. The possibility of rupture is much greater when your spleen is enlarged. A ruptured spleen can cause life-threatening bleeding in your belly.

An enlarged spleen increases the risk of splenic rupture, which can be a severe and sudden complication. Ruptured spleen symptoms often include intense pain in the upper left side of the abdomen, dizziness, and signs of shock such as rapid heart rate and low blood pressure. Immediate medical attention is critical to manage this life-threatening condition and prevent severe blood loss. Recognizing the signs early can significantly improve outcomes and reduce the risk of fatal complications.

Enlarged Spleen Diagnosis 

A physical exam is frequently used to detect an enlarged spleen. By carefully probing your left upper belly, your doctor can often detect it. A healthy, normal-sized spleen can sometimes be felt during an exam in some people, especially those who are skinny. 

Your doctor might order these tests to confirm the diagnosis of an enlarged spleen: 

• Blood tests, such as a complete blood count to check the number of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets in your system and liver function 
• Ultrasound or CT scan to help determine the size of your spleen and whether it’s crowding other organs 
• MRI to trace blood flow through the spleen

Diagnosing an enlarged spleen involves several steps to identify the underlying cause and assess the extent of the enlargement. Physicians typically start with a physical examination, where they can often feel the enlargement of the spleen through palpation of the upper left abdomen.

Imaging tests, such as ultrasound or CT scans, are crucial for visualizing the spleen and determining its size and structure. These tests can also detect other abdominal abnormalities, such as an enlarged liver, which might indicate related health issues like liver disease or metabolic disorders.

Anyone can develop an enlarged spleen at any age, but certain groups are at higher risk, including: 

• Children and young adults with infections, such as mononucleosis 
• People who have Gaucher disease, Niemann-Pick disease, and several other inherited metabolic disorders affecting the liver and spleen 
• People who live in or travel to areas where malaria is common

The causes of an enlarged spleen are varied and often include infections and inherited metabolic disorders. This vital organ plays a key role in the body’s immune system. Common symptoms include upper left abdominal pain, a sense of fullness without eating much, and fatigue. Additionally, referred pain can occur, where the pain extends to the left shoulder, indicating the spleen’s distress. Other signs might include increased susceptibility to infections and easy bleeding. Recognizing these risk factors and symptoms early is crucial for effective diagnosis and management, ensuring that underlying conditions are treated promptly to prevent complications.

What Are the Complications? 

Potential complications of an enlarged spleen are: 

• Infection: The quantity of healthy red blood cells, platelets, and white cells in your bloodstream can be reduced by an enlarged spleen, leading to more diseases. Anemia and excessive bleeding are also possible side effects. 
• Ruptured spleen: Even healthy spleens are soft and easily damaged, especially in car crashes. The possibility of rupture is much greater when your spleen is enlarged. A ruptured spleen can cause life-threatening bleeding in your belly.

An enlarged spleen increases the risk of splenic rupture, which can be a severe and sudden complication. Ruptured spleen symptoms often include intense pain in the upper left side of the abdomen, dizziness, and signs of shock such as rapid heart rate and low blood pressure. Immediate medical attention is critical to manage this life-threatening condition and prevent severe blood loss. Recognizing the signs early can significantly improve outcomes and reduce the risk of fatal complications.

Enlarged Spleen Diagnosis 

A physical exam is frequently used to detect an enlarged spleen. By carefully probing your left upper belly, your doctor can often detect it. A healthy, normal-sized spleen can sometimes be felt during an exam in some people, especially those who are skinny. 

Your doctor might order these tests to confirm the diagnosis of an enlarged spleen: 

• Blood tests, such as a complete blood count to check the number of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets in your system and liver function 
• Ultrasound or CT scan to help determine the size of your spleen and whether it’s crowding other organs 
• MRI to trace blood flow through the spleen

Diagnosing an enlarged spleen involves several steps to identify the underlying cause and assess the extent of the enlargement. Physicians typically start with a physical examination, where they can often feel the enlargement of the spleen through palpation of the upper left abdomen.

Imaging tests, such as ultrasound or CT scans, are crucial for visualizing the spleen and determining its size and structure. These tests can also detect other abdominal abnormalities, such as an enlarged liver, which might indicate related health issues like liver disease or metabolic disorders.