Spleen. Where is as sore symptoms, causes and treatment. Photo in the body of the disease in humans

Abdominal pain may signal not only on violations of the stomach, bowel, or kidney, but also damage the spleen. Information on the location of the body, and any violation may occur in the work, it is useful to get before you go to the doctor. This will facilitate the specialist collection of complaints and subsequent diagnosis.

Location of the spleen in the human body

This unpaired body has the shape of a flattened and slightly elongated hemisphere length of 12 cm. The spleen is located in the left upper quadrant (in the upper abdomen) below the diaphragm.

Authority is on par with the stomach, but behind it - closer to the dorsal side of the ribs, above the left kidney and colon.

The spleen is covered with a translucent shell of the peritoneum and is protected from the rib injury. Healthy body (not enhanced) does not extend beyond the edges - in normal spleen is not palpable.

Meaning spleen to the body

Spleen and its role in the human body are not fully understood until now.

According to studies in adults Body performs the following functions:

• hematopoiesis - production of lymphocytes - blood cells responsible for the immune response;
• blood purification from old or damaged red blood cells, and platelets - iron then used repeatedly, and the waste followed by the liver, where involved in the formation of bile;
• regulation of blood cell composition - Of special note is the accumulation and release of platelet provide coagulation of blood. The normal spleen stores a third to a half of all platelets;
• maintaining immunity - in the organ blood filtration occurs from bacteria, protozoa and their metabolic products of harmful heavy metals and substances formed during the disintegration of tissues for burns and injuries. Spleen produces antibodies - special blood proteins, neutralizing foreign microorganisms and toxins;
• temporary storage of blood - in violation of the spleen blood absorbs the excess blood, increasing in size. When failure comes down to "no", the blood is thrown back into the mainstream.

The spleen can fully perform hematopoietic function, this happens:

• during embryonic development - shortly before the birth of the child passes under the control of hematopoiesis of the bone marrow;
• in adults - at failures in the functioning of the bone marrow.

There is a theory of the spleen involvement in the metabolism and regulation of hematopoiesis and in healthy people - but these mechanisms are not fully described.

How hurt spleen

Spleen - where and how it hurts the organ of interest to many. The spleen (and liver) devoid of nociceptors, however, the presence of inflammation it can grow in size and to press on nearby organs or vessels.

The result are the following types of pain:

• sharp sharp pain in his left side, extending to the shoulder area;

  

• dragging pain, the intensity of which increases with inspiration. Sometimes discomfort is given in the lower back;
• severe pain in the left upper quadrant, spreading to the chest or shoulder area;
• unbearable pain, covering the left and right upper quadrant;
• recurrent and intense pain in the upper abdomen, left;
• persistent pain dull character, accompanied by heaviness in the left upper quadrant

Since the main cause of pain - increasing organ (splenomegaly), it is often described as aching, squeezing or bursting.

Causes of pain

Spleen worried man pain syndrome is relatively rare.

Among the main reasons that provoke an increase in the body:

• inflammatory processes - often with the addition of an infection. We should also highlight the septic splenitis (inflammation of the spleen), developing on a background of severe blood poisoning (sepsis);
• abscess - purulent inflammation of tissue with their melting;
• injury - as a result of injury, penetrating trauma or fracture of the ribs;
• splenic infarction - blockage of the splenic artery;
• non-traumatic rupture - can occur in people with a larger body, even under normal physical activities;
• volvulus (twisting of the legs) - It leads to disruption of the blood supply of the spleen;
• thrombosis of the splenic vein and subsequent stagnation in body tissues;
• splenic cyst - including parasitic and complicated suppuration or rupture;
• neoplastic lesions;
• blood disease - anemia, lymphoma;
• autoimmune disorders - rheumatoid arthritis, chronic hepatitis, amyloidosis.

Less common causes of pain can be tuberculosis or spleen purpura - the appearance in the body tissues plurality cysts filled with blood. In most cases, the second increase in body - it stimulates the underlying disease of the hematopoietic system or an infectious organism defeat.

Sometimes discomfort spleen combined with pain in the liver - then the reason may be hepatic cirrhosis.

Pain in the region of the spleen does not always speak the presence of the disease - the norm in terms of physiology is:

• pain when walking fast or running - it is caused by the accumulation and release of blood;
• pain in pregnancy - related to the pressure of the fetus in the mother's internal organs.

Spleen diseases Symptoms

Spleen - where and how it hurts to know that authority is necessary, but not enough to be suspected violations it in its work.

spleen disease may be accompanied by a number of clinical symptoms, including:

• appearance in the left upper abdomen palpable surface of the enlarged organ or tumor formation on its surface - it may be more elastic or soft, smooth or rough, sometimes painful when palpation;
• fever - often low-grade fever (up to 37.1 degrees);
• lethargy or persistent fatigue;
• a feeling of fullness;
• pallor;
• symptoms of anemia;
• a sharp decline in immunity;
• symptoms of poisoning - nausea, pain in muscles and joints;
• rapid depletion;
• bloating, abdominal cavity when filling the liquid.

These symptoms are not specific and require a thorough diagnosis.

Separately isolated signs of spleen injuries - they are often paired with other injuries and symptoms of blood loss:

• nausea and vomiting;
• thirst;
• cold sweat;
• cardiac arrhythmia and respiration;
• reducing the pressure;
• dizziness;
• fever;
• total pallor and bruises in the spleen;
• loss of consciousness.

The presence of even a part of the acute symptoms should be cause for immediate access to medical care.

First aid for sudden pain

If severe pain in the body appeared sharply, then, regardless of whether there was injury, should act on such algorithm:

1. Carefully secure individual horizontal body position. When traumatizing should strive to move minimally affected.
2. If there is bleeding, you need to apply a clean pressure bandage is not applied to the affected area a heating pad or ice.
3. Calm a person (in some cases, allowed a mild sedative) - is intended to help restore breathing.
4. Avoid taking pain medications - this will prevent the physician in carrying out the diagnosis.

In parallel, it is necessary to call an ambulance - regardless of the presence of open wounds, such a condition is life threatening.

Diagnostics

Spleen - where and how it hurts the body and what symptoms may be accompanied by pain, described above.

If the symptoms are not sharp, the next scheduled address to the therapist in order to conduct the initial consultation, and the appointment of a number of events:

• collection of data on existing or illnesses and infections, recent injuries, the possibility of the presence of parasitic infection;
• examination - is effective in a significant increase in spleen or large cysts / tumors;
• palpation - held in a prone position on the right side or on the back. The physician estimates the position of the lower body boundary, which in the presence of the disease may extend from beneath the ribs, consistency and tenderness;
• blood tests - general and specialized studies. They allow you to identify violations of the blood (the balance of leukocytes, platelets and red blood cells) anemic state, the presence in blood of pathogens, a positive reaction for antibodies to parasites;
• X-ray and ultrasound examinations - are used for preliminary evaluation of the state of the abdominal organs, detection of tumor or scarring;
  
• computer tomography - is carried out when there is insufficient information content of previous methods can be combined with angiography - assessing vascular status (suspected tumors);
• puncture tissue with histological examination - if allowed malignant process.

In the course of research may require consultation of a hematologist, an infectious disease specialist or oncologist.

Pain splenic vein thrombosis

Accepted provide primary thrombosis (blockage) splenic vein, when it is in violation of localized this part of the venous network, and secondary, when there are prerequisites in the form of negative processes in the abdominal cavity.

thrombosis cause may be:

• infectious diseases - blood poisoning (sepsis), syphilis, tuberculosis and malaria;
• vasospasms;
• chronic inflammation in the peritoneal area (the liver or the stomach);
• injury.

The disease is includes 2 stages:

• hidden (when the body increase is observed) - pain and any expressed no violations. Under favorable circumstances may occur self-healing;
• during bleeding - it features a bloody vomit, feces, bleeding from the nose and gums. Death may occur due to blood loss or reduction of immunity.

Methods of treating a disease - removal of the spleen (splenectomy).

The most frequent nature of pain - small, with a feeling of heaviness in the abdomen, left, worse when moving. Less commonly, there may be intense pain in the left upper quadrant, with the return in the blade.

Trauma and ruptured spleen

Injure the body can be in the fall, injury or compression of the abdomen. The gap is excessively increased or sanguineous spleen may occur even with a slight impact on force (aggressive palpation, vomiting). When injury may occur shaking or complete destruction of body tissue to form a necrotic cell mass.

The gap can be:

• a momentary - capsule and functional tissue damaged simultaneously, causing bleeding;
  
• dvuhmomentnym - rupture of the capsule and / or tissues makes itself felt after a while the bleeding.

In traumatic ruptures allowed two basic approaches to treatment:

• radical - removal of the spleen. Used in most cases, possibly with part of the organ preservation to prevent hematopoietic disorders;
• organosberegajushchih - appropriate for minor tears. The most effective hemostasis using electrocautery, "of the sealing" vessels.

Distinctive features of pain at break following:

• Localization of pain in the left upper quadrant and strengthen with pressure on the sternum;
• returns to the left shoulder or collarbone;
• painful urge to empty the bowel.

splenelcosis

In 90% of cases, an abscess develops as a result of penetration of infection in the body of the other organs and systems through the bloodstream at:

• postpartum infection of the blood;
• purulent processes in the bone marrow;
• ulcerative inflammation of the heart membranes (endocarditis);
• infection (typhus, malaria, scarlet fever);
• kidney or liver abscess;
• septic hemorrhages.

Clinically, body abscess expressed subfebrile temperature, malaise and exhaustion.

Depending on the amount of purulent fusion of tissues is possible:

• autopsy abscess and evacuating pus;
  
• splenectomy.

If an abscess is localized pain in the left upper quadrant or the chest, on the left. Palpation reveals tenderness protrusion and spleen area.

Pain splenic tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is diagnosed organ damage is very rare, can only affect the spleen or combined with common tuberculosis (often).

The disease can occur:

• acutely - a significant rise in temperature and symptoms of poisoning;
• chronically - with temperature up to 37, weakness, loss of appetite, increased body, impaired blood composition. platelet reduction can provoke internal bleeding.

The main methods of treatment are two:

• drug therapy anti-TB drugs;
• organ removal - the localization of TB infection only in the spleen and the failure of conservative treatment.

The disease can occur without pain or to express the weight in the left upper quadrant and painful, enlarged spleen.

splenic infarction

The cause of a heart attack can be a blockage of blood vessels or organ airlock thrombus.

This condition is often accompanied by:

• inflammation of the membranes of heart;
• portal hypertension;
• typhoid fever.

The disease can occur:

• is hidden (Small infarcts are prone to self-healing);
• acutely - high temperature, palpitations, and vomiting, intestinal spasms and severe pain in the left upper quadrant.

With extensive infarction or accession infection with pus formation may require removal of the spleen.

asplenia

This term refers to a complex of disease symptoms characteristic lack of spleen, comprising:

• shortness of breath;
• palpitations;
• circulatory disorders and blood pressure;
• reduced resistance to infection;
• increased thrombogenesis.

distinguish:

• congenital asplenia - rare, mostly boys, accompanied by the underdevelopment of other organs and systems in 95% of cases is incompatible with life;
• purchased - occurs after the removal of the spleen, is more common in men 30-45 years of age. Heavy asplenia is not a necessary consequence of the operation.

Congenital require operation when the acquired form shown:

• Prevention of infection by vaccination;
• administration of drugs that lower blood viscosity.

Asplenichesky syndrome pain in the spleen does not cause.

Tumors in the spleen

Neoplasms body presents cavities (cysts) filled with blood (cystic hemangioma), lymphoma (lymphangioma) or mixed content.

Cysts can be:

• birth;
• acquired as a result of infection, inflammation, trauma.

As cyst growth can displace adjacent organs or cause splenic atrophy.

Large cysts are accompanied by pain in the left side of the abdomen, with the return in the shoulder, dangerous complications and bleeding.

Methods of treatment of hollow neoplasms:

• removal of an organ or a part thereof;
• pumping the contents of the cavity.

Tumors of the spleen

The distinguishing feature is the change in tumor growth and cell division mechanism.

Among tumors spleen is isolated:

• benign - hemangioma, lymphangioma, fibroma, chondroma, osteoma;
• malignant - various sarcoma and cancer of the spleen. There may be a consequence of tumor metastasis to other organs.

Tumors of the spleen are extremely rare, symptoms typical of the enlarged organ - weakness, anemia, low-grade fever. Pain syndrome can range from discomfort to severe pain in his left side. During the growth or malignancy shows removal of an organ.

echinococcosis

The disease is characterized by the formation in the tissues of the body of parasitic cysts. Pathogen infection - Echinococcus - penetrates into the body by inadequate hygiene, or contaminated food.

The development of the parasite is slow, in three stages:

1. asymptomatic (Hidden) - can last up to 20 years.
2. expressed displays - patients reported heaviness and dull pain in the left hypochondrium, shortness of breath, vomiting after meals.
3. complications - abscess authority with relevant symptoms.

The preferred treatment strategy - removing the body completely. In some cases, possible opening of parasitic cysts, partial excision of the wall and suturing.

Septic spleen

This condition is one of the hallmarks of the total heavy infestation body (most commonly Staphylococcus or Pseudomonas aeruginosa). Septicemia (blood poisoning) may be the result of a sharp decline in the immune defense with a great blood loss, serious illness.

The swelling and softening of the spleen is the primary symptom of sepsis, but it is characteristic of other severe infections:

• typhoid;
• malaria;
• infectious mononucleosis.

Emphasis was at pains in the spleen in sepsis is difficult to make - a common infection is often accompanied by signs of inflammation of the peritoneum - acute abdominal pain. In acute sepsis spleen becomes extremely vulnerable to rupture. The main treatment should be aimed at combating common inflammation.

Drugs from pain in the spleen

Spleen - where and how it hurts the body - not such a simple question, because in fact the cause of the pain is most often the nearby organs, nerves, or blood vessels.

Appointed medicines are intended to correct the underlying disease, including:

• antimicrobials - to fight infection - one of the main reasons for increasing the body;
• anti-inflammatory drugs - in combination reduce inflammation, help to normalize the size of the spleen;
• agents, emollients manifestations of cirrhosis - hepatoprotectors, cholagogue, correctors metabolism;
  
• anti-TB drugs;
• antiparasitic drugs - their use in the treatment of echinococcosis often complements surgical stage.

spleen disease may require a correction of the blood with the use of antianemic or blood-thinning medications. Taking pain is only valid after the diagnosis.

The recommended diet and food

Dietary recommendations for pain in the spleen to stabilize blood (eliminating anemia) and minimizing the load on the filter body. It is desirable to eat small meals 5-6 times a day.

Information about the nuances of the diet is presented in the table below:

Authorized products	Foods that should be limited or removed from the menu
Fish, including fat	Canned fish, caviar
Low-fat chicken	Fatty meat and poultry fat
Soups of vegetables and fruits	rich broth
Dairy products and cheeses without spices	Whole milk and butter, ice cream
nuts	Mushrooms, eggs
Buckwheat and wheat porridge without milk, pasta	Fried food, spicy seasonings
Lentils, beans, peas	Mayonnaise, spices, mustard, sauces, vinegar, pickles, smoked
yesterday's bread	Fresh wheat bread baking
Cabbage - cauliflower and cabbage, carrots, beets, fennel, parsley, tomatoes, ginger	Radish, horseradish, turnips, sorrel, rhubarb
Strawberries, blueberries, watermelon, currants, grapes and figs	Fruits and berries with high acidity
Weak tea, chicory	Caffeinated drinks and alcohol, chocolate
Fresh juices, especially apple.	Carbonated drinks

To normalize the immune system and blood formation is useful to include in the menu, honey, cranberries and pomegranates. Permissibility of the use of citrus and meat by-products need to be checked with your doctor.

Traditional methods of treatment

At the heart of these recipes is the use of herbs and foods. Replace them medicine can not, but they can reduce the toxic load on the body.

In the complex treatment and prevention of use:

• chicory - it promotes the removal of toxins and improve metabolism. You can buy in a drugstore or extract to prepare the infusion, the bay 20 m. (1 st. heaped spoonful) 200 ml of boiling water. After 40 minutes of infusion to strain and drink 2 tablespoons. spoon for 30 minutes before meals 3 times a day;
• infusion of hop cones. 1 tbsp. cones spoon to pour 200 ml of boiling water and let stand 30 minutes. Receive Mode - 2 tbsp. spoon 3 times a day before meals;
  
• infusion of St. John's wort - possesses choleretic and antimicrobial effect, it helps to relieve vascular spasms. To pour 10 g. 1 cup (200 ml) boiling water and infuse half hour. Strained infusion should take 2 tablespoons. tablespoons before meals 3 times a day;
• raisins and vinegar - it has a positive effect on bleeding and tumors. 50 g raisins pour 200 ml grape vinegar overnight. In the morning you must eat and drink all berries not more than 30 ml (just over tablespoon) of the liquid;
• wormwood syrup. 100 gr. Artemisia should be soaked in water for 24 hours, then brought to the boil and cook for 30 minutes. After straining should add honey or sugar - 400 grams. Syrup should be taken 3 times a day for 2 tablespoons. spoon.

Before using folk remedies should consult a doctor.

Indications for splenectomy

Removal of the spleen (splenectomy) - always a last resort, it is appropriate in cases where the preservation of the body will bring the body more harm than good.

These states include:

• adverse effect on body composition blood - hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenic purpura, impaired concentration of hemoglobin or red blood cells;
• discomfort when growing or malignant tumors or cysts;
• inhibitory effects on the hematopoietic system of the spleen of aplastic anemia;
• body injury with bleeding;
• large or complicated abscesses;
• splenomegaly, threatening rupture;
• organ infarction;
• Autoimmune diseases - when the body's defense system attacks not alien, and healthy tissue.

Contraindications to surgery are heart and lung disease, as well as the inability to achieve the desired blood clotting.

How is splenectomy

Removing the spleen may be routine or emergency - the difference is in the amount of preparatory examinations (tests, allergy tests). Regardless of the type of access operation requires a general anesthesia. There are two main methods of splenectomy.

For transactions with public access algorithm is as follows:

1. Performing abdominal incision and muscle.
2. Clipping ligaments that hold the body, "sealing of" damaged vessels.
3. Removing the spleen.
4. body box testing - the presence of bleeding, the remnants of absorbent materials.
5. Connect the skin and muscles of the brackets.
6. Suturing and dressing.

When laparoskopichekoy access operation is carried out through several small openings in the abdominal wall.

Additionally require such manipulation:

1. Injection into the peritoneal cavity of carbon dioxide to lift the skin and muscles and getting the space for movement of the tool.
2. Entering a laparoscope, transmitting a "picture" on the screen.
3. 2-4 Entering tools for dissection.

Laparoscopic splenectomy provides a quick recovery and less traumatic, but requires more experience of the surgeon.

Life without a spleen

The spleen is not one of the vital organs. After removing some of the functions transferred under the control of other bodies, but to compensate for the absence of the spleen to the full is not always possible.

Wherein:

• reduced immune defense;
• possible violations of clotting, thrombus occlusion of vessels of the liver;
• increases the risk of pancreatic inflammation;
• may fail in pulmonary ventilation.

To improve the quality of life after a splenectomy should pay attention to:

• infection prevention - vaccination, refusal to attend without having to places with large concentrations of people;
• diet, which reduces the load on the liver and pancreas;
• control of blood clotting.

Prevention of pain in the spleen

Where and how it hurts the spleen, possibly of interest to many. But it is equally useful to know how to reduce the likelihood of such discomfort.

To do this:

• not to "test the strength of" the immune system - to avoid stress and hypothermia;
  
• strive for diversity in the diet, taking a multivitamin (including iron). Should eat at least 5 times a day, regularly, in small portions;
• control blood pressure and cholesterol levels in the blood;
• maintain an optimal level of physical activity - a walk in the fresh air, exercise. This is important for the prevention of stagnation in the internal organs;
• avoid wearing tight clothing that violates the bloodstream;
• minimize the risk of abdominal injury.

Pain in the spleen to stop unacceptably independently using pain medication, especially if present malaise or intoxication. Turning to the doctor, it is necessary to specify where and how to localize expressed discomfort.

Registration of the article: Lozinski Oleg

Video of the spleen

The role of the spleen in the body and whether it is possible to live without it: