1 Features of the structure of the body

Not every person can immediately indicate where the spleen is located, because this body worries relatively rarely. This is due to the peculiarities of its structure.

The spleen is located in the left side of the abdominal cavity behind the ribs so that it contacts the kidney, pancreas and stomach. This organ has been studied much worse than others, but it has important functions: blood filtration, purification from pathogenic bacteria and viruses, regulation of blood composition, development of antibodies, elimination of damaged red blood cells and leukocytes.

It is established that people who have been removed from the spleen are more likely to be exposed to infections. It is known that after its removal processes that previously passed in the spleen continue to be carried out. Perhaps, the functions of this body are taken by others. Despite the fact that you can live without a spleen, the quality of life deteriorates noticeably. Therefore, it is necessary to understand in time, why the spleen hurts, to undergo examination and not only to cure the organ itself, but also to eliminate the causes of the disease.

The easiest way to diagnose is mechanical damage to the spleen or inflammation in the acute stage. In other cases, it is not easy to diagnose a violation.

There are no painful endings on the internal tissues of the organ, therefore pain in the spleen can be manifested only when its size increases, when the envelope stretches and begins to press on the nearby organs. For this reason, violations of the spleen are often confused with the symptoms of diseases located next to her organs. Symptoms can be very blurred:

• appearance of ulcers;
• weakness;
• impaired appetite;
• itching;
• allergic rash;
• drowsiness.

The appearance of pain in the spleen can not be associated with a violation of this organ. Perhaps the pain will create only a small discomfort in the hypochondrium from the left side or heaviness. Sometimes pain is given under the left scapula, in the chest, in the shoulder, which can be associated with neuralgic diseases or chest osteochondrosis.

Therefore, in order to find out why the spleen hurts, you first need to make sure that the cause of the diseases lies precisely in this organ. If the organ is already significantly enlarged, the diagnosis is performed by the method of palpation. In other cases, the patient is prescribed ultrasound of the abdominal cavity, computer or magnetic resonance imaging. If the organ is greatly enlarged, the puncture is first done and only then the appropriate treatment is prescribed.

2 Why there is pain

This study allows you to accurately find out why the spleen has started to hurt, and to prescribe an adequate treatment. If the spleen hurts, then the main causes of pain are:

• mechanical injuries;
• complication after previous infectious diseases;
• spleen infarction;
• development of tumors and cysts.

Injury to the spleen is very simple, since it does not have reliable protection, only a thin layer of peritoneum. A strong impact in the area of ​​the organ can lead to injury, rupture or cracking. Symptoms can manifest themselves all at once, and only some of them. It depends, first of all, on the strength of the blow. The main symptoms of mechanical damage to the spleen are as follows:

• appearance of bruising at the site of the stroke( left side of the abdomen);
• low pressure;
• dizziness;
• nausea and uncontrolled vomiting;
• increased heart rate;
• severe pain in the entire left side, giving into the collarbone and back, sometimes causes a loss of consciousness from shock.

In order to determine the damage to the spleen in time after an accident, injury or stroke, it is mandatory for the injured person to be given an X-ray. Prior to the arrival of an ambulance, the victim is not recommended to give painkillers. To reduce pain, it is allowed only to put ice on the damaged area. Before the arrival of a doctor, one should not allow loss of consciousness.

3 Purulent inflammation of the

Purulent inflammation( abscess) of the spleen arises from similar processes in other organs, bacteremia and as a complication after mechanical trauma. The abscess causes the following symptoms:

• weakness;
• temperature increase;
• chills.

In the later stages of the disease, tachycardia and shortness of breath are observed against a background of dull but severe pain that radiates to the shoulder or chest. The area of ​​the skin above the damaged organ has an elevated temperature in comparison with other sites. With a purulent abscess, the spleen is significantly enlarged in size and easily palpable, but it is not recommended to perform palpation on its own: the danger of carelessness by provoking tissue rupture and the release of pus is not uncommon.

Complications on the spleen after various diseases are accompanied by the appearance of acute, sharp pain under the ribs on the left, nausea. It becomes difficult to lie on the left side. Untreated infections reduce immunity and can lead to malfunctions in the lymphatic system.

Cysts can be either acquired( due to infection of the body with parasites or inflammation), and congenital. Usually they can be diagnosed by tomography or X-ray. On the development of parasitic cysts says dull pain below the stomach, and in complex stages - itching, irritation of skin areas.

4 Diagnosis

If there is pain in the spleen, an accurate diagnosis in most cases allows an ultrasound. Normally, the body is not probed - it is behind the ribs, too far. But when violations occur, its dimensions increase significantly and the development of the disease can be diagnosed by the method of palpation.

Ultrasound is used for patients who have cirrhosis, as the disease may progress with time and go to the spleen. Regular ultrasound is prescribed for the diagnosis of cysts and tumors, after injuries, broken ribs and strokes on the left side of the abdomen. Even minor damage to this organ can provoke internal bleeding. In such a case, the victim is subjected to an operation to remove the organ. The positive outcome of such an intervention will largely depend on how quickly the patient entered the hospital after an injury.

In addition to ultrasound, it is possible to diagnose spleen disease with high probability by computer or magnetic resonance imaging. Such an examination can be prescribed for suspected pathological changes in the spleen.

If an ultrasound of the spleen is prescribed, it is necessary to prepare in advance for the examination. The rules are quite simple. The day before the examination of ultrasound from the diet excluded products that can cause bloating. Such products include wheat bread, beans, cabbage. It is recommended to take drugs that reduce gas production.

During ultrasound, the patient lies on his side and one arm turns over his head - this allows you to increase the distance between the ribs and better "see" the spleen. When analyzing the results, attention is drawn to the size of the organ. In an adult, the normal size of the spleen is:

• length - 12 cm;
• thickness - 5 cm;
• width - 8 cm.

Depending on the characteristics of the body, these parameters may vary slightly, within 1 cm. In addition to the size of the organ, attention is drawn to the structure of the spleen and vessels: arteries( diameter up to 2 mm) and veins( up to 5- 8 mm).

Ultrasound diagnosis of the disease gives accurate results and allows to establish all pathological processes at the initial stage. Although spleen diseases are much less common than diseases of other organs, it is important to regularly undergo a survey. This is especially true for women over 35 years of age, because they have diseases of the spleen developing in 3 - 5 times more often than men.

5 Treatment measures

If the spleen hurts, do not resort to self-treatment and delay with a visit to the doctor - this can lead to a worsening of the situation, the development of tuberculosis and, as a result, lethal outcome.

Treatment of the disease largely depends on the causes of its occurrence. If the organ failure is caused by a spleen infarction, the patient is advised to temporarily reduce the pace of life and prescribe an anesthetic.

In purulent inflammation, an abscess is usually used to complete or partial removal of the organ by splenectomy. The operation is performed under general anesthesia, i.e.the patient is unconscious during this period.

Currently, often performed laparoscopy - surgery using an accurate instrument, a laparoscope. It is injected through a small incision in the abdominal region, several other incisions are injected with the remaining instruments.

After removal of the spleen in this way the patient is restored much faster and easier than with traditional open splenectomy. This operation involves removing the organ through a large incision in the abdominal cavity. Open splenectomy allows you to remove lymph nodes or to examine them for the development of cancer. After removal of the organ, a seam is applied. It may take up to 6 weeks for complete recovery.

If there are ulcers or cysts, drainage or puncture of the spleen is performed. Neoplasms of the body, both malignant and benign, will also be eliminated by splenectomy. But this method allows only to effectively cope with diseases at an early stage. The operation in case of serious diseases will have a palliative, that is non-radical nature.

6 Prevention

The best treatment for any disease is not to let it occur. Accordingly, the best way to eliminate problems with the spleen - if possible, do not allow the reasons for their development.

The main measures that are necessary to prevent any disease, are a healthy lifestyle, proper nutrition.

Since the spleen is involved in metabolic processes, it is best to perform blood purification. To do this, you can use different drugs, but you need to select them carefully, because they contain different chemical preparations, and therefore have not only indications for use, but also contraindications.

For the purification of blood, you can use folk methods, but only as an additional measure, and not as a full-fledged treatment. Before using them, it is also advisable to consult with your doctor, since even natural medicines can cause allergies or other negative consequences.

Propolis is considered an effective means for preventing leukemia and improving immunity. It consists of bioactive substances and antibiotics. Propolis kills germs and relieves pain. To treat leukemia, tincture of propolis is recommended to drink daily 4 times a month. If infection develops, then propolis is advised in the first days to drink more often, every 2 hours.

The spleen has a beneficial effect on the spleen. It has an antimicrobial effect, relieves spasm of blood vessels and strengthens them, prevents the formation of gallstones. St. John's wort is taken in the form of infusion: 10 g per 200 ml of water. Every day you need to drink 1/4 cup before eating.

In addition to St. John's wort, spleen and other medicinal herbs will be useful in the treatment of strawberries, sage, yarrow, nettle, string, calendula.

The reduction of the spleen is facilitated by chicory. It can be drunk as a tea or cooked with infusion( 20 grams per glass of boiling water).Infusion is taken before meals, 2-3 spoons.

Treatment with folk remedies can be no less effective than medication, and more sparing than surgical intervention. But in any case, treatment should be timely, appropriate disease and pass strictly under the supervision of the attending physician.