A ruptured spleen as we mentioned, can cause pain in the abdominal area and internal bleeding can result in different other complications as well. Because the spleen is part of the lymph system, this inflammation can result in the spleen becoming enlarged. The spleen surely has an important part to play in the human body, but its functions can be taken care of by other organs of the body. © 2005-2020 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. The location of the spleen means that injury to this organ can cause pain in the upper-left part of the abdomen. Ruptured Spleen: Causes, Signs, Symptoms, Tests, Treatment, Prevention, Enlarged Spleen: Etiology, Risk Factors, Signs, Symptoms, Investigations, Treatment, Spleen QI Deficiency: Foods to Avoid, Foods to Take, Treatment, Symptoms, What is Wandering Spleen: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, What is Banti’s Syndrome: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Diagnosis, Diseases Similar to Banti’s Syndrome. Not having enough red blood cells can lead to a condition called anemia. 1. The spleen is found somewhere within the abdominal cavity. You'll feel like you're very tired due to a lack of red blood cells caused by the anaemia. Because its location adjacent to the diaphragm, pain from the spleen may radiate to the back and be felt in the shoulder blade. The pain or feeling of fullness of a spleen that has a problem is usually located in the left upper abdominal area. The spleen sits under your rib cage in the upper left part of your abdomen toward your back. Spleen pain is usually felt in the upper left part of the abdomen. Under normal circumstances, when the spleen is not enlarged, it cannot be palpated. It contributes…, The colon is part of the large intestine, the final part of the digestive system. If your spleen can’t create enough white blood cells as a result of its enlargement, you might also experience infections more often. This may later res… The pain might also spread to the left shoulder. A normal-sized spleen usually cannot be felt but when it is enlarged, ... Signs and symptoms of a ruptured spleen include: Pain in the upper left part of the abdomen. It may be tender when you touch the area. Many conditions — including infections, liver disease and some cancers — can cause an enlarged spleen, also known as splenomegaly (spleh-no-MEG-uh-lee).An enlarged spleen usually doesn't cause symptoms. It's often discovered during a routine physical exam. Advertisement PDF Version   $34.95      $8.99      Buy Now Kindle Version   $34.95  $8.99      Buy Now Paperback   $74.95         $24.95    Buy Now, Advertisement Kindle Version  $0.99      Buy Now. The person with ruptured spleen may suffer from immense spleen pain in:eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'epainassist_com-banner-1','ezslot_9',149,'0','0'])); The spleen can also face abnormal enlargement that is caused due to an infection in the organ, cancer cells, serious liver disease and inflammatory diseases. It is beneficial to seek medical advice to prevent further medical complications and irreversible damage of the spleen. This article may contains scientific references. A common symptom of an enlarged spleen is a feeling of pain or discomfort in the upper left side of abdomen, where the spleen is located. Now we will move on to our next section where you will get to know whether a person can live a normal life without the spleen or not. Major Complication – But the major concern is that without the spleen, the person will be at a much higher risk of getting contracted by serious infections and diseases. Different other vaccines can also be prescribed by the doctor. Spleen pain is a pain felt in the left side of the abdomen. Spleen pain is usually felt as a pain behind your left ribs. Damage to the spleen is rare because of its protected position under the left side of the ribcage. 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. There may be tenderness when applying pressure on the area and there are no distinctive features … It’s entirely possible to live a normal, healthy life after having your spleen removed. The onset of spleen pain should not be disregarded once noticed. In serious cases, your doctor might suggest that you have your spleen removed, which is called a splenectomy. Spleen Pain Symptoms. Therefore, the rupture of spleen can result in severe irritation in these nerves. An enlarged spleen, a condition called “splenomegaly,” is a clear warning sign that the immune system is fighting hard to remove threats from the body but failing to do so because it can’t keep up with high demand. The severity and even the location of the pain depend on how badly the spleen has ruptured and how much blood leaks out. In a trauma patient with an injury to the abdomen, the most common symptoms of a ruptured spleen are pain and tenderness of the abdomen, particularly on the left upper quadrant. It resembles a large lymph node and filters the blood. The severity of spleen pain depends solely on the size of the ruptured spleen. The spleen is found on the left side of your body, behind the stomach on a level with the 9th to 11th ribs. The spleen is a part of your lymphatic system. Your spleen is an organ located just below your left rib cage. This article does not have the information I am looking for. Your doctor generally can't feel a normal-sized spleen in adults but can feel an enlarged spleen. However, here are some common areas where the pain from spleen is located: eval(ez_write_tag([[728,90],'epainassist_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_8',151,'0','0'])); When a person suffers from a major spleen disease, the doctors have no other option but to operate and remove it. The spleen is located under the left rib cage near the vicinity of the stomach. This article on Epainassist.com has been reviewed by a medical professional, as well as checked for facts, to assure the readers the best possible accuracy. Spleen pain in enlarged or swollen state can be easily palpated and felt by the attending physician or the examining physician. Organ in abdomen: The spleen is an abdominal organ under the diaphragm on the left side. However, this is difficult to diagnose, since pain in the abdomen may link to disorders in other nearby organs, such as the stomach. But will the person be able to live a normal life without it? where is spleen pain felt. This may cause immediate rupture of the spleen, or it may result in the formation of a hematoma. This organ is found on the left side of your body, below your rib cage. But you can reduce your risk of getting infections by getting the appropriate vaccinations. This can be a sign of a damaged, ruptured or enlarged spleen. In spite of this, it may occur with a very forceful blow to the abdominal area, as may happen during a fight, a motor accident, during a contact sport, or because of a rib fracture, with the broken end of the rib penetrating the spleen. A ruptured spleen can lead to heavy internal bleeding that can be life-threatening. Again, following a hit or an accident, it’s imperative to seek medical attention right away if this pain is present. As blood enters the abdominal cavity, it can lead to a symptom known as referred pain. Spleen pain can occur as a result of many things including conditions like rupture of the spleen and enlargement of spleen. However, pain in this region is often attributed to the stomach and the kidney that also lie next to the spleen. If it is enlarged, it is palpable on the abdominal wall below the left costal margin. White pulp is material which is part of the immune system (lymphatic tissue) mainly made up of white blood cells. Get To Know What Possibly Could Be Causing Your Symptoms! This is done to prevent the spread of an infection or avoid other complications due to internal bleeding. However, something can happen in the body that disrupts the workings of the spleen. Under normal circumstances, your splee… The left shoulder is also affected by immense pain because the nerves of this area originate from the same location. Sleep Location and Anatomy. The spleen is located in the upper left abdomen, so it’s not uncommon for an individual to feel pain here when they have a ruptured spleen. An enlarged spleen usually doesn't cause symptoms. If there are splenomegaly and hepatomegaly, that is, enlarged spleen and liver, then the person may feel full after eating a very small amount of food or may experience pain in the spleen after eating. This can lead to spleen pain, which is felt in the upper-left part of the abdomen. The spleen is a ductless vascular gland, located in the left upper abdomen near the stomach, which destroys old red blood cells, removes debris from the bloodstream, acts as a reservoir of blood, and produces lymphocytes. Spleen pain/ splenic pain is mainly referred to, as and when a left upper quadrant pain in the abdomen is felt. All rights reserved. The spleen lies at the level of the 9th to 11th ribs which means that it is tucked under the left ribcage. Find a Physician                            Privacy Policy, Images and Text Policy                Editorial Policy, Information Policy                        Advertising Policy, Financial Disclosure Policy          Cookie Policy, About Us                                        Contact Us. In severe cases, a ruptured spleen will require an emergency surgery. We follow a strict editorial policy and we have a zero-tolerance policy regarding any level of plagiarism. When your spleen is enlarged, it has a greater risk of rupture. It is similar in structure to a lymph node and is the largest lymphatic organ in the body. An enlarged spleen is also responsible for significant pain and affects the healthy lifestyle of a person. It is usually located on the right side of the body, extending from the cecum…. Due to the absence of the spleen, the bloodstream might be affected with an infection more quickly and therefore, these vaccines help the person to combat the germs. If the enlarged spleen compresses the stomach, the person may feel full after eating a small amount, and therefore are unable to eat large meals. But in worst cases, it needs to be removed. To treat your enlarged spleen, your doctor will have to treat the underlying cause. If you have splenomegaly, finding ways to prevent damage to your enlarged spleen is important. When it becomes infected, leading to enlargement, or gets damaged from direct impact, or indeed from poor blood supply to it, this could lead to pain in the spleen. In some people, it originates from the left or right hepatic…, The ascending colon (or right colon) is the beginning part of the colon. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Many conditions — including infections, liver disease and some cancers — can cause an enlarged spleen, also known as splenomegaly (spleh-no-MEG-uh-lee). Pain may be felt in these locations: Left … It's often discovered during a routine physical exam. Let us know about what kind of pain you can feel from the spleen during these conditions and what are chances of a person living a normal life without it. If the infection that causes your enlarged spleen is caused by bacteria, antibiotics may help. One of the … A significant internal bleeding can take place depending on the size of the rupture that has occurred in the spleen. A common symptom of an enlarged spleen is a feeling of pain or discomfort in the upper left side of abdomen, where the spleen is located. Cancer of the spleen usually occurs when another type of cancer spreads. If the enlarged spleen compresses the stomach, the person may experience pain around the abdominal area and will be unable to eat large meals. This usually happens because the enlarged liver and spleen tend to press on the stomach, due to which the appetite of a person gets significantly reduced. Pericarditis. This could cause your spleen to not be able to filter your blood properly. Other potential causes of an enlarged spleen include: If you experience the symptoms of an enlarged spleen, it’s important to make an appointment with your doctor. Spleen pain may radiate to the shoulder, mid back, umbilicus, left side of the chest and less frequently to the right side of the abdomen. Your doctor wi… It may be tender when you touch the area. The numbers in the parentheses (1, 2, 3) are clickable links to peer-reviewed scientific papers. Spleen Location . These veins are tributaries of the inferior mesenteric vein…, The small intestine is made up of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. Avoid playing contact sports, such as soccer or hockey, and make sure that you wear a seatbelt when you’re in a car. The left colic vein assists the body by draining old blood from the intestines. If the enlarged spleen compresses the stomach, the person may experience pain around the abdominal area and will be unable to eat large meals. A damaged or ruptured spleen You might also experience a feeling of fullness after only eating a small amount. Other symptoms: Unintended weight loss and fatigue that accompanies bone pain … The left colic vein is a branch of the inferior mesenteric vein that…, Located in the pancreas, the pancreatic vein is responsible for draining the pancreas into the superior mesenteric and splenic veins. YES. White blood cells protect your body from bacteria and infections. The feedback link “Was this Article Helpful” on this page can be used to report content that is not accurate, up-to-date or questionable in any manner. 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. But many times the spleen can face abnormalities like enlargement or a rupture. Spleen pain is usually felt as a pain behind your left ribs. So you can understand that the spleen has a significant role to play in the human body. Your doctor generally can't feel a normal-sized spleen in adults but can feel an enlarged spleen. An enlarged or ruptured spleen may cause significant pain and trouble to the person suffering from any of these abnormalities. If your spleen becomes too big, it can start to remove too many red blood cells from your blood. This usually happens when the spleen becomes enlarged to the point that it presses on the stomach. During the removal of the spleen, the patient needs to go under the vaccination process that is against pneumococcal pneumonia. The spleen contains two main types of tissue - white pulp and red pulp. Also Read:eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'epainassist_com-leader-1','ezslot_10',153,'0','0'])); This article contains incorrect information. When my spleen was massive, I felt a fullness in the left upper quadrant of the belly and a general heavy feeling. The spleen lies at the level of the 9th to 11th ribs which means that it is tucked under the left ribcage. Under normal conditions, the physician is not able to feel the spleen, but one can easily feel it when it is enlarged. However, here are some common areas where the pain from spleen is located: Since the spleen is located adjacent to the diaphragm, the person may experience pain around the shoulder blade. Some people with an enlarged spleen experience no symptoms, and the condition is only discovered during a routine physical exam. Bone pain can cause a dull or deep ache in a bone or bone region (e.g., back, pelvis, legs, ribs, arms). tumors in the spleen or from other organs that have spread to the spleen, viral, bacterial, or parasitic infections, inflammatory diseases, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. A person suffers from a ruptured spleen when the capsule-like outer layer of the organ tends to break open. Splenomegaly is a condition that occurs when your spleen becomes enlarged. You might also experience a … The person who has been operated will be able to lead a normal life but it needs to be made sure that he or she is diagnosed immediately in case of a disease to prevent serious illness. Individuals affected by this condition find it difficult to have a large meal. The appendicular vein removes oxygen-depleted blood from the appendix, which is located at the bottom of the ascending colon. Together with the esophagus, large intestine, and the stomach, it forms the…, The masseter muscle is a facial muscle that plays a major role in the chewing of solid foods. The upper left portion of the abdomen is mostly affected because of the enlarged size of the irritates the diaphragm and nerves present there. As a result, blood pours into the abdominal area and causes significant pain the person suffering from it. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. What Happens If Spleen Does Not Work Properly & What are the Best Foods and Supplements to Keep Spleen Healthy? Application of pressure over the left abdominal region may reveal a tenderness in the area. 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. Spleen pain typically is: Felt as a pain under the left rib cage Particularly where the spleen is located. This is because the spleen is located in the upper left quadrant of the abdomen. The pain caused by spleen problems is typically felt in the upper left abdominal region. Pericarditis refers … Its function is to reabsorb fluids and process waste products from…. Your heart is surrounded by a fluid-filled sac called the pericardium. However, there is no distinct characteristic of the pain that emanates from the spleen. An enlarged spleen could even be a sign of hypersplenism, which is commonly referred to as an overactive spleen. The spleen is usually about the size of your fist, but when enlarged, it can become much bigger. The person can lead a normal life without the spleen in their metabolic system. Thus, allowing the person to revive and stay healthy. This article does not provide medical advice. If a virus caused your infection, as is the case with mononucleosis, antibiotics would be of no help. Last medically reviewed on July 11, 2019, The sigmoid vein, also called the vena sigmoideus, refers to one group of sigmoid veins. Your spleen is an organ located just below your left rib cage. Should you experience this kind of symptom, it is natural to want to know what may … Your risk of developing infections throughout your life may increase. Bone pain: Pain is the most common sign of bone cancer, and may become more noticeable as the tumor grows. The spleen pain which a person may face because of an enlarged spleen depends on the cause of its an enlargement. Our articles are resourced from reputable online pages. It’s also commonly referred to as enlarged spleen or spleen enlargement. The pain usually worsens during breathing and after eating large or heavy meals. With treatment of the underlying cause of your enlarged spleen, you can go on to live a normal, healthy life. If you don’t already have a primary care provider, you can browse doctors in your area through the Healthline FindCare tool. This can be a sign of a damaged, ruptured or enlarged spleen. Can you Exercise with an Enlarged Spleen and Which are the Safe Exercises for Enlarged Spleen? The left side of the abdominal area which is under the rib cage. Dietary Do’s and Don’ts for Migraine Sufferers, Shirshasana (Headstand) Versus Inversion Therapy Using Inversion Table, Understanding Joint Pain and Tips to Get Relief Using Home Remedies, Erectile Dysfunction: Does Opioid Cause ED, Libido: Opioid Induced Female Sexual Dysfunction. by ; November 12, 2020; Under normal circumstances, when the spleen is not enlarged, it cannot be palpated. Since the spleen is so rich with blood flow, bleeding from a rupture can be signi… Since the spleen sits next to the stomach and kidney, many people confuse spleen pain for stomach pain or kidney pain. This condition can cause inflammation of the lymph system. This is pain that the patient feels somewhere other than where the injury is located. Other causes of spleen pain include cyst in the ovary, inflammatory diseases, a large abscess caused by bacteria and trauma during sports events. It is tucked behind the left side ribcage. It is located just posterior (behind) the mid-axillary line (refer to picture below) lying in close proximity to the posterolateral abdominal wall. It helps the immune system by storing white blood cells and helping in the creation of antibodies. Final Verdict – The pain and symptoms experienced during a disease in the spleen can be treated with medicines first. A damaged or ruptured spleen Problems with your liver, such as cirrhosisand cystic fibrosis, can also cause an enlarged spleen. Since the spleen is located adjacent to the diaphragm, the person may experience pain around the shoulder blade. The spleen is not often an organ that gets caught up in a disease process. Lymphoma is a type of cancer on the lymph tissue attacks the blood cells in the spleen making it enlarged. General symptoms associated with injury to the spleen include pain in the left side of the abdomen that spreads to the left shoulder, fatigue, lightheadedness and a weak pulse. 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