SPLENOMEGALY [Enlarged Spleen]

Splenomegaly is a condition that occurs when your spleen becomes enlarged. It's also commonly referred to as enlarged spleen or spleen enlargement.

The spleen is a part of your lymphatic system. It helps the immune system by storing white blood cells and helping in the creation of antibodies. This organ is found on the left side of your body, below your rib cage.

It's responsible for:

• Filtering antibody-coated bacteria

• Reprocessing old red blood cells

• Recycling iron in haemoglobin

Your spleen is extremely important in your body's fight against infection because it's the source of two types of white blood cells: B cells and T cells. White blood cells protect your body from bacteria and infections.

Some people with an enlarged spleen experience no symptoms, and the condition is only discovered during a routine physical exam. If you're very slim, it may be possible for you to feel your enlarged spleen through your skin.

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. You might also experience a feeling of fullness after only eating a small amount.

This usually happens when the spleen becomes enlarged to the point that it presses on the stomach. If your spleen becomes too big, it can start to remove too many red blood cells from your blood.

Not having enough red blood cells can lead to a condition called anaemia. If your spleen can't create enough white blood cells as a result of its enlargement, you might also experience infections more often.

What can cause splenomegaly? A number of diseases and conditions can cause an enlarged spleen. Infections, such as mononucleosis, are among the most common causes of splenomegaly.

Problems with your liver, such as cirrhosis and cystic fibrosis, can also cause an enlarged spleen. Another possible cause of splenomegaly is juvenile rheumatoid arthritis:

This condition can cause inflammation of the lymphatic system and since the spleen is part of the lymphatic system, this inflammation can result in the spleen becoming enlarged.

[Other Potential Causes]:

1. Malaria

2. Hodgkin's Disease

3. Leukaemia

4. Heart Failure

5. Cirrhosis

6. Viral, Bacterial, or Parasitic Infections

7. Sickle Cell Disease

8. Inflammatory Diseases [Eg: Lupus or Rheumatoid Arthritis]

9. Tumours in the spleen or from other organs that have spread to the spleen.

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