Another possible cause of splenomegaly is juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. This condition can cause inflammation of the lymph system. Because the spleen is part of the lymph system, this inflammation can result in the spleen becoming enlarged. If you experience pain in the upper left side of your abdomen that is severe, or if the pain worsens when you breathe, see your doctor as soon as possible.
To treat your enlarged spleen, your doctor will have to treat the underlying cause. If the cause of your enlarged spleen is an infection, your doctor may or may not prescribe you antibiotics depending on the organism causing the infection. If the infection that causes your enlarged spleen is caused by bacteria, antibiotics may help.
If a virus caused your infection, as is the case with mononucleosis, antibiotics would be of no help. In serious cases, your doctor might suggest that you have your spleen removed, which is called a splenectomy. Your risk of developing infections throughout your life may increase. But you can reduce your risk of getting infections by getting the appropriate vaccinations.
If you have splenomegaly, finding ways to prevent damage to your enlarged spleen is important. When your spleen is enlarged, it has a greater risk of rupture. A ruptured spleen can lead to heavy internal bleeding that can be life-threatening.
If you get into an accident, your seatbelt will help protect your organs, including your spleen, and will reduce the chance of trauma to your organs. With treatment of the underlying cause of your enlarged spleen, you can go on to live a normal, healthy life.
Learn about the spleen, its functions in the body, and potential problems it can have. Your spleen is a small organ located on the left side of your abdomen under your rib cage. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Enlarged spleen Open pop-up dialog box Close. Enlarged spleen The spleen is a small organ usually about the size of your fist.
Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Bona R. Evaluation of splenomegaly and other splenic disorders. Accessed April 22, Merck Manual Professional Version. You may be able to go home the same day, or may need to stay in hospital overnight. If you go home the same day, someone will need to stay with you for the first 24 hours. 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.
Often, in emergencies, this will be the preferred method to rapidly control bleeding. It's normal to feel sore and be bruised after a splenectomy, but you'll be given pain relief medication. Like any operation, a splenectomy carries a small risk of complications, including bleeding and infection.
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. Another risk is the surgical wound becoming infected. If you spot any signs of infection, contact your GP or hospital immediately, as you may need antibiotics. Recovery usually takes a few weeks. Your doctor or nurse will advise when you can go back to your usual activities, such as driving. If your spleen needs to be removed, other organs such as the liver can take over many of the spleen's functions.
This means you will still be able to cope with most infections. However, there is a small risk that a serious infection may develop quickly. This risk will be present for the rest of your life.
Young children have a higher risk of serious infection than adults, but the risk is still small. 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. Make sure you have had all your routine childhood vaccinations. 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. Antibiotics are particularly important:. Your GP can prescribe a course of antibiotics for you to use if you get an infection.
You should start taking them at the first sign of an infection, so see your GP as soon as possible. Bites from animals and ticks small blood-sucking parasites can cause infections. If you get bitten by an animal, particularly a dog, start your course of antibiotics and seek medical advice urgently.
If you go trekking or camping regularly, you may be at risk of babesiosis, which is a rare disease transmitted by ticks. The spleen is a fist-sized organ in the upper left side of your abdomen, next to your stomach and behind your left ribs.
It's an important part of your immune system, but you can survive without it. This is because the liver can take over many of the spleen's functions. Spleen pain is usually felt as a pain behind your left ribs.
It may be tender when you touch the area. The spleen can become damaged or may burst rupture after an injury, such as a blow to the abdomen, a car accident, a sporting accident or broken ribs. Sometimes if you lie down and raise your legs, you can feel the pain at the tip of your left shoulder. The spleen can become swollen after an infection or injury. It can also become enlarged as a result of a health condition, such as cirrhosis , leukaemia or rheumatoid arthritis.
Doctors can often tell if you have an enlarged spleen by feeling your abdomen. The spleen is not usually removed if it's just enlarged. Instead, you'll receive treatment for any underlying condition and your spleen will be monitored.
You may be prescribed antibiotics if there's an infection. You'll need to avoid contact sports for a while, as you'll be at greater risk of rupturing the spleen while it's enlarged. Surgery is only necessary if the enlarged spleen is causing serious complications or the cause cannot be found.
You may need an operation to remove your spleen, known as a splenectomy, if it's not working properly or it's damaged, diseased or enlarged. If there's time, you'll be advised to have certain vaccinations before the operation. This is because spleen removal weakens your immune system and can make you more likely to get an infection. Most operations to remove spleens are carried out using keyhole surgery laparoscopy. Keyhole spleen removal allows a surgeon to get inside your tummy abdomen to your spleen without having to make large cuts.
This means you'll have less scarring and may recover from the operation more quickly.
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