What is splenomegaly
Splenomegaly is a medical condition characterized by the enlargement of the spleen. The spleen is an organ located on the left side of the abdomen, above the stomach. It is responsible for filtering the blood, removing and recycling old or damaged red blood cells, and assisting in the production of immune cells.
Splenomegaly can be caused by various factors including infections, such as mononucleosis or malaria, liver diseases like cirrhosis or hepatitis, certain types of cancer, blood disorders like leukemia or lymphoma, and autoimmune diseases. Symptoms of splenomegaly may include pain or discomfort in the left upper abdomen, feeling full after eating only a small amount of food, anemia, fatigue, easy bleeding or bruising, and frequent infections.
The diagnosis of splenomegaly typically involves physical examination, imaging tests like ultrasound or MRI, blood tests, and sometimes a biopsy of the spleen. The treatment of splenomegaly depends on the underlying cause and can range from medications to surgery, such as a splenectomy (surgical removal of the spleen), in some cases.
It is important to address splenomegaly promptly as an enlarged spleen can be prone to rupture or cause other complications, leading to potentially serious consequences.