What is the function of spleen?

What is the function of spleen?

The spleen has some important functions: it fights invading germs in the blood (the spleen contains infection-fighting white blood cells) it controls the level of blood cells (white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets) it filters the blood and removes any old or damaged red blood cells.

What are symptoms of spleen problems?

Symptoms

• 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.

What are the 3 functions of the spleen?

What does the spleen do?

• Stores blood.
• Filters blood by removing cellular waste and getting rid of old or damaged blood cells.
• Makes white blood cells and antibodies that help you fight infection.
• Maintains the levels of fluid in your body.
• Produces antibodies that protect you against infection.

What does your spleen do and can you live without it?

You can live without a spleen. But because the spleen plays a crucial role in the body's ability to fight off bacteria, living without the organ makes you more likely to develop infections, especially dangerous ones such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae.

Can a spleen grow back?

Spleen can regenerate through various mechanisms. Autotransplantation of splenic tissue after traumatic disruption of the splenic capsule is well recognized. Splenic tissue can lodge anywhere in the peritoneal cavity following traumatic disruption and regenerates under favourable conditions.

What happens if your spleen ruptures?

A ruptured spleen (a fist-sized organ located in the left upper abdomen) occurs when the surface of this organ is injured, which can lead to internal bleeding. Symptoms include pain in the abdomen and nausea. A ruptured spleen is treated with surgery if the patient has lost a large amount of blood.

What foods irritate the spleen?

It is important to avoid foods that are “damp”: alcohol, fat, fast sugars and excessive quantities of dairy products — for example, “fromage blanc,” which has a moisture content of 80%. The spleen is sensitive to erratic eating habits and can be weakened by skipping breakfast, copious or late dinners, and snacking.

How do you check your spleen at home?

Technique

1. Start in RLQ (so you don't miss a giant spleen).
2. Get your fingers set then ask patient to take a deep breath. ...
3. When patient expires, take up new position.
4. Note lowest point of spleen below costal margin, texture of splenic contour, and tenderness.
5. If spleen is not felt, repeat with pt lying on right side.

Why does spleen hurt?

Acute bacterial infections such as bacterial endocarditis. Chronic bacterial infections including malaria, syphilis, brucellosis and miliary tuberculosis. Liver diseases such as cirrhosis, or thrombosis of the portal or splenic veins, causing obstruction to hepatic blood flow and backing it up to the spleen.

How do you heal your spleen?

Get plenty of rest for 2 to 3 months while your spleen heals. Avoid strenuous activities that could re-injure your spleen. These include lifting, jogging, aerobic exercise, and contact sports. Ask your doctor when you can go back to work, school, or your regular activities.

What are the symptoms of a bad spleen?

• - weakness, - fatigue, - dizziness, - shortness of breath, and - chest pain.

How long can you live without spleen?

• A human can live indefinitely without a spleen; it’s not a vital organ for survival like the kidneys are and, to my knowledge, not having a spleen does not reduce one’s life expectancy — provided one stays healthy. However, being without a spleen puts one at higher risk for certain dangerous infections.

Is an enlarged spleen a sign of cancer?

• It is essential, however, to remember that an enlarged spleen does not necessarily mean that an individual has spleen cancer. Swollen lymph nodes may be a sign of spleen cancer. Spleen cancer is very often due to lymphomas and non-Hodgkin lymphoma in particular, so it is helpful to be aware of signs of this disease.

What can damage your spleen?

• If your spleen enlarges too much, it can rupture. The spleen can also become injured or rupture immediately after a hard hit to the abdomen, a rib fracture, or other accident. This can lead to removal of the spleen. It’s difficult to protect the health of the spleen.