Sitting just inside your left rib cage lies an organ no larger than an avocado, but an essential player in the immune system: the spleen.
The spleen is part of the lymphatic system, responsible for storing and filtering blood, maintaining the body’s fluid levels, and producing antibodies to help protect you against infection.
As a key player in your body’s fight against infection, it becomes a worthwhile adversary for specific health conditions to attack – and, in some cases, win.
What happens to your spleen when it becomes enlarged, and how do you know what to do next?
Keep reading to find out!
Signs and Symptoms of an Enlarged Spleen
A healthy spleen is often the size of an avocado or fist, weighing in at 70 grams and measuring up to 12 cm long. When a spleen becomes enlarged, however, it may reach up to 20 cm in length and weigh more than 1,000 grams – about the weight of a standard bag of flour from the grocery store.
Most people with an enlarged spleen would likely remain unaware, as symptoms are relatively rare. However, if it does result in symptoms, those suffering from an enlarged spleen would have:
- Pain or fullness in the left upper belly
- Feeling of fullness without eating or eating small portions
- Frequent infections
- Bleeding easily
- Symptoms of anemia (fatigue, weakness, easy bruising, etc.)
Underlying Causes for an Enlarged Spleen
An enlarged spleen is often a symptom of a more serious underlying condition, such as an infection or disease.
Common causes can be grouped within the following categories: infections, cancers, liver diseases, and other conditions.
Infections
- Viral infections, such as mononucleosis and HIV
- Parasitic infections, such as toxoplasmosis and malaria
- Bacterial infections, such as endocarditis and tuberculosis
Cancer
- Blood cancers, such as leukemia
- Lymphoma, such as Hodgkin’s disease
Liver Disease
- Chronic hepatitis
- Cirrhosis
- Portal hypertension
Other Conditions
- Metabolic disorders (Gaucher disease, Niemann-Pick disease)
- Autoimmune conditions (lupus, sarcoidosis)
- Hemolytic anemia
- A large abscess or cyst
- Heart failure
- Trauma from contact sports injuries
Is a Whole Body Scan Necessary?
Enlarged spleens often present with no symptoms, raising the question, “Is a full-body scan necessary?”
For those who present a higher risk of an enlarged spleen, the answer could save you from future complications.
Anyone, regardless of age, can develop an enlarged spleen. Higher risk groups tend to be children and young adults with infections, those who suffer from inherited metabolic disorders, and travelers who visit areas where malaria is common.
A whole-body MRI scan, first and foremost, is a tool that allows you to take an active role in your healthcare. Instead of waiting for symptoms or complications to arise, a full-body scan will enable you to take your health into your own hands, particularly for those at higher risk.
With the ability to screen for nearly 500 health conditions across 13 organ systems – including the spleen – we can help detect conditions that may go unnoticed.
Regain Control of Your Health with MRI Wellness
At MRI Wellness, our team leverages the latest in healthcare technology to help you regain control over your wellness journey.
Our innovative MRI system delivers a comprehensive report, assessing your risk of disease and conditions, and creates a plan for the before, instead of waiting on the after.
Take the first step in taking a proactive approach to your healthcare journey and schedule your full-body MRI scan with us today.
