Spleen disease symptoms
The spleen is a little studied organ of the human body. As one physiologist said: "About the spleen, gentlemen, we do not know anything. That's all about the spleen ! "
The spleen really is one of the most mysterious of our bodies. It is generally believed that a person without a spleen can live peacefully - its removal is not a catastrophe for the body.
Scientists know that the spleen during childhood plays a role in the formation of blood and that it struggles with diseases of the blood and bone marrow, such as malaria and anemia. But that's interesting: if the spleen is removed from the body, these vital processes will still continue! It seems that other organs can take on the functions of the spleen, although it is certainly impossible to say this.
So, the spleen can hardly be called a vital organ, and yet its importance can not be denied - such a position will be irresponsible, to put it mildly. Like any other organ of our body, the spleen has its important functions, albeit not fully understood. There are at it and the problems which can rather negatively affect the general condition of our organism. How to treat the spleen with folk remedies look here.
Structure
The spleen is an unpaired internal organ of the bean-shaped form located in the left upper abdominal cavity behind the stomach, in contact with the diaphragm, large intestine loops, left kidney, pancreas. Two ligaments holding it in one position, the spleen is connected to the stomach and diaphragm. Strengthens the organ and a specific membrane, densely covering all the organs of the abdominal cavity, - the peritoneum.
The spleen is located at the level of IX-XI ribs, it is oriented from front to back, 4-5 cm not reaching the spine. The organ is small - it weighs only 200-250 g, and the older the person becomes, the less the weight of the spleen. The size of this organ is 12x7x4 cm. Normally, the spleen can not be detected by touch - it does not protrude from under the ribs.
Outside, the spleen is covered with a dense elastic sheath, the jumper of which extends into the interior of the organ, forming a framework of connective tissue. And in the shell, and in the lintels there are muscle fibers, thanks to which the spleen can stretch to a certain size without tearing. The tissue of the organ is called pulp. It can be of two kinds: red and white. The red pulp is similar to a three-dimensional fishing net, the fibers of which are supporting cells intertwined with each other, and the cells are filled with cells that absorb the "fragments" of red blood cells that are destroyed in the spleen and particles that are foreign to the body. The whole "network" is permeated with numerous small blood vessels - capillaries. Of these, blood seeps directly into the pulp.
White pulp is formed by clusters of some white blood cells, leukocytes, so it looks like bright islands surrounded by the red sea capillaries. To the white pulp are small lymphatic nodules, which in the spleen are many.
The boundary between red and white pulp forms specific cells responsible for the immune defense of the body. This structure of the body allows him to combine several different functions.
The most important function of the spleen is hematopoietic. As a source of blood cells, the spleen only works in the fetus. The bone marrow takes over this function on the born baby, and the spleen, according to the views of physiologists, only manages its activity and synthesizes some types of leukocytes. It is known that in extreme conditions this organ is capable of producing both erythrocytes and leukocytes. By the way, such extreme conditions include some diseases. And in these cases, not normal, healthy cells are formed, but pathological, damagingly affecting the body.
In an adult human spleen is a "cemetery" of blood cells that have lived their term. Here they are broken down into separate elements, and iron, which was in hemoglobin, is utilized.
The spleen is also important as an organ of the circulatory system. But it enters into action when the amount of blood in the body decreases dramatically: with injuries, internal bleeding. The fact is that it always has a stock of red blood cells, which, if necessary, are ejected into the vascular bed.
The spleen controls the blood flow and circulation in the vessels. If this function is not performed enough, symptoms such as bad breath, bleeding gums, subcutaneous blood stasis, bleeding of the internal organs easily appear.
The spleen is also the organ of the lymphatic system. This does not seem strange, if we recall the structure of the white pulp. It is in the spleen that cells are formed that destroy bacteria and viruses that enter the body, and the organ acts as a filter that cleans the blood of slags and foreign particles.
This body is involved in the metabolism, it forms some proteins: albumin, globin, from which immunoglobulins are subsequently formed, protecting our body from infection. The spleen itself is supplied with blood through a large artery, the occlusion of which leads to the death of the organ.
Defects in the development of the spleen are associated with a violation of the intrauterine development of the child.
Complete absence of an organ( asplenia) is very rare and always combined with malformations of other organs, usually the pathology of the cardiovascular system. On the condition of the body this defect does not affect in any way and is revealed only with an instrumental examination.
The change in the position of the organ in the abdominal band is variable. The spleen can be located on the right or in the hernial sac( if there is a concomitant diaphragmatic or umbilical hernia).It does not cause painful sensations. When the hernia is removed, the spleen is also removed.
The additional spleen is detected only in a radionuclide study, with additional spleen can be several - from one to several hundred( in that case they have very small dimensions).With some blood diseases( lymphogranulomatosis, hemolytic anemia, etc.), they are removed during treatment. If there is no pathology, the vice of intervention does not require, since it does not affect health in any way.
The appearance of a "wandering" spleen is associated with a change in the shape of the organ( the spleen is very elongated in one direction or has "rugged" edges) and with the weakness of the ligaments connecting it to surrounding tissues. In itself, the pathology of treatment does not require, but in the case of torsion of the leg, when there is acute intolerable pain in the abdomen, the spleen is removed.
Spleen infarction
When infarcted, the vessels feeding the organ are clogged, causing necrosis of the tissue site and impaired spleen function. A blood clot, an atherosclerotic plaque( or a drop of fat) or a colony of microorganisms( with an infectious disease) can block blood flow through the artery.
If the infarction has a very small area, patients do not complain or complain of mild pain in the left hypochondrium.
With a large lesion, a severe pain in the left hypochondrium sharply arises in a person, giving off to the left shoulder blade or lower back, amplified by coughing, breathing, any change in the position of the body. The palpation of the abdomen becomes sharply painful. The palpitation accelerates, blood pressure drops. Vomiting is possible. After a few hours( with suppuration), the body temperature rises, chills appear.
At laboratory research in a blood decrease of number of leucocytes, acceleration of an ESR is defined.
First aid is the administration of painkillers. In the hospital, the patient is prescribed resorptive and anticoagulant drugs( heparin, fractiparin, etc.).If no improvement occurs within 2-3 days, the spleen is removed.
Inflammation of the spleen
Inflammation of the spleen( splenetic, lienitis) rarely occurs without concomitant inflammation of the membrane covering both the spleen itself and the organs of the abdominal cavity and liver. As an isolated disease, it practically does not occur, but occurs in severe infections( tuberculosis, brucellosis, tularemia, etc.), in some cases it acts as a reaction to liver or intestinal damage. The allergic nature of the disease is possible.
If the inflammation does not affect the peritoneum, the splice does not appear externally in any way - there are no complaints from the patient, the disease is detected during medical examination or diagnostic examination. When involved in the process of peritoneum there is acute pain in the abdomen, nausea, vomiting, an increase in body temperature up to 37.2-37.5 C - the picture is very similar to acute appendicitis. The spleen is enlarged, becomes sensitive when probed.
If the inflammation of the spleen is a consequence of liver damage, the patient complains of pain in the right and heaviness in the left hypochondrium, sometimes pain appears throughout the abdominal cavity. Characteristic lack of appetite, nausea, fever, changes in blood composition. In some cases jaundice and itching of the skin appear.
The diagnosis is always based on ultrasound data, which reveals an increase in the spleen, a change in the structure of the tissue.
There is no specific treatment for splenitis. Inflammation is treated, as in all other cases: prescribe antibiotics, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antiallergic agents. Vitamins B12, B6 and C are necessarily introduced. Magnetotherapy, carried out both as a hardware method in hospital conditions and at home with the help of conventional magnets, has a good effect: magnets are located in the region of the left hypochondrium, one by the north pole on the abdomen, and the other by the south pole on the back.
A great help in therapy is provided by medicinal plants.
A large arsenal of funds offered by homeopaths:
1) at the first signs of the disease should take Aconite 3 and Mercurius solubilis 3 alternately every 2 hours;
2) with uncomfortable sensations in the left hypochondrium, pain during movement is recommended Nux vomica 3;
3) with burning, stitching pains in the left hypochondrium, accompanied by nausea( or vomiting) and a disorder of the stool, strong thirst - Arsenic 3;
4) with inflammation of the spleen, accompanied by weakness and chills, - Hina 3;
5) in the case of lien, which has arisen after the injury, - Arnica 2 every 2 hours for 2-3 drops;
6) with a long-term disease - Liko podium 6 and Sulfur 5 to 1 reception every other day.
Abscess of the spleen
Abscess is a limited accumulation of pus in some organ or an undefined part of the body.
Spleen abscess can develop in several cases:
1) as a complication in some infectious diseases: malaria, typhoid fever, typhoid fever, etc.;
2) as a complication in inflammation of the inner shell of the heart, urinary organs, general infection of blood;
3) as a consequence of a spleen injury - after injury, undeveloped blood clots may become inflamed.
Streptococcus and salmonella are most often found in pus.
Abscesses are single and multiple. They are very different in size: a purulent focus can have the size of a pinhead, or it can reach the volume of a child's fist. Small foci usually dissolve or cicatrize, and large ones give rise to a number of complications, among which the most formidable is the purulent melting of the spleen and the breakdown of pus into the thoracic or abdominal cavity.
In any case, the patient has severe pain in the left hypochondrium or lower half of the thorax, giving to the left shoulder or to the left just above the groin. He is worried about chills, fever( sometimes to very high figures), accelerated heartbeat. If a large abscess squeezes the lung, there may be a cough and pain in the left side of the chest, shortness of breath. When probing the place of soreness, the increase in the spleen is determined, and sometimes its oscillation in the place of accumulation of pus, muscles of the anterior abdominal wall are strained. In the analysis of blood, an increased content of leukocytes and acceleration of ESR are revealed.
The diagnosis is confirmed by ultrasound examination, on which foci of pus accumulation are detected.
For small abscesses, the patient is assigned a bed rest, constant cold on the area of the spleen, antibiotics. Treatment of a major abscess is only prompt. The abscess is opened and for a few days they put special drains on which the pus flows. After the operation, the patient must be given antibiotics.
Tuberculosis of the spleen
Usually the spleen is affected by the Koch's stick against the background of a long-term tuberculosis. The causative agent enters the organ from the lungs or kidneys, spreading through the blood or lymphatic vessels. To suspect a disease is difficult, because it does not have any bright symptoms. Patients may complain of a slight long-term increase in body temperature, pain in this case is not typical. With a long-standing process in the abdominal cavity accumulates fluid, the spleen increases, and up to a very large size.
The diagnosis is based on a study of a piece of tissue from the spleen, taken with a biopsy: it reveals mycobacteria that are the causative agent of the disease. Indirect help in diagnosis is provided by X-ray and blood tests.
Treatment is carried out according to the general principles of tuberculosis therapy: prescribe specific antibiotics and tuberculostatic drugs, vitamin therapy, etc.
Spleen cysts
Spleen cysts are of several kinds:
1) true - are associated with impaired organ development in the prenatal period;
2) false - develop after trauma or as a complication of malaria, typhus;
3) parasitic - with the development of a spleen parasite, such as echinococcus.
True cysts are more common in women. Usually they accidentally come to light at the age of 20-25 years, because they do not show themselves.
False cysts in 75% of cases - the result of the suffered trauma. Large hemorrhages in the tissues of the spleen do not resolve, but decay, forming a dense capsule inside which fluid gradually accumulates.
Most often, parasitic cysts of the spleen are caused by echinococcosis. Echinococcus is a parasitic worm that affects the brain, liver, kidneys, lungs and the human spleen. Echinococcosis develops slowly, for 10-20 years.
The larvae of the parasite are easily infected, they live in water, on the wool of livestock and domestic animals, on the grass from where they enter the digestive tract and, moving through the circulatory system, penetrate into the internal organs, including the spleen. Especially dangerous are not adult individuals, reaching a length of only 2-5 mm, namely larvae. They are like bubbles that are filled with smaller bubbles, in which the parasites are, and can reach the size of the child's head and weigh several kilograms. If such a larva penetrates into any internal organ, it will completely violate its function.
The disease is very difficult to suspect. When echinococcosis of the spleen patients are concerned about weak dull pain or heaviness in the left hypochondrium, sometimes nausea after eating, there are constipation or diarrhea, often allergic reactions occur. When probing, the enlarged spleen is determined. Large bubbles can tear, which often leads to the death of the patient from the concomitant rupture of the organ.
In the analysis of stool parasites are not found. The diagnosis is established on the basis of ultrasound and X-ray examination, in which multi-chambered blisters are visible.
The presence of any spleen cyst is an indication for its removal.
Spleen Tumors
Tumors in the spleen, as in other organs, are benign and malignant.
To benign include hemangiomas, lymphangiomas, fibromas, to malignant - lympho-sarcomas, reticulosarcomas, angiosarcomas, hemangiendothelioma, fibrosarcoma. Any tumors of the spleen are very rare, most often the body is affected by metastases.
At an early stage without further investigation, it is almost impossible to determine the type of tumor. In any case, the disease begins with severity in the left hypochondrium, weakness. The spleen is enlarged and becomes tuberous. With the growth of malignant tumor, lymph nodes increase, fever, sweating occur. The patient quickly loses weight, his stomach increases due to the accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity.
Treatment of both benign and malignant tumors is to remove the spleen. The homeopathy offers its own set of tools:
• if a spleen tumor is accompanied by a rise in body temperature, take Hina. 3. If quinine is used in high doses, its use should be accompanied by the reception of Ferruus Carbocumum 2 on a bone spoon [1] 3 times a day;
• With dense spleen tumors take Iodium 3 to 3 drops 4 times a day.
Amyloidosis of the spleen
Amyloidosis can affect any organ of the human body, and the spleen is no exception. In the tissue of the body, complex protein-polysaccharide compounds( amyloid) begin to be deposited, thereby violating its function. Because of what it happens, why this or that structure is affected - it has not been established yet, it has been revealed only that amyloidosis often develops during immune disorders or due to some inflammatory diseases( rheumatoid arthritis, osteomyelitis, tuberculosis, etc.).However, there are forms of the disease that are hereditary.
Amyloidosis of the spleen( hamster's spleen) does not cause any special complaints in patients. They note the heaviness in the left hypochondrium, a slight nausea, eructation, sometimes stool( diarrhea or constipation).But these signs are typical for many diseases, so the diagnosis is difficult, it is possible to establish the presence of amyloidosis only with spleen biopsy, which is confirmed by the additional detection of amyloid in the blood. The spleen increases, becomes dense. In case of severe injury, its rupture is possible.
Patients are advised to enter in the menu fresh raw liver, limit the amount of salt used. Specific drugs prescribe chloroquine, melphalan, prednisolone, colchicine. If there is no effect of the therapy, the spleen is removed.
Leishmaniasis
It is impossible to call this parasitic infection a spleen only disease, because the whole body suffers, but the defeat of the spleen with the internal form of the disease comes to the fore.
The disease is caused by leishmania parasites that enter the body through a mosquito bite, multiply in the skin, and then flow through the internal organs. This process( the so-called hidden, or incubation, period) takes from 3 weeks to 3 years. Then the patient begins to complain of a strong weakness, a periodic increase in body temperature. Against the pale skin, there are pinpoint hemorrhages, subsequently - bruises. Lymph nodes increase. Sharply increased liver and spleen. The spleen can occupy the entire left half of the abdomen( up to the small pelvis).The main changes are revealed in the blood.
Solusurmin( it specifically acts on pathogens), antibiotics( ampicillin, oxacillin), sulfonamide preparations are used for treatment. Be sure to use vitamins and drugs that increase the level of hemoglobin in the blood.
If the dimensions of the spleen do not decrease during the therapy, it is surgically removed.
Damage to the spleen
Splenic lesions are open and closed. They are possible with injuries( impact in the left half of the abdomen, falling on the abdomen, fracture of the ribs on the left, etc.), gunshot and stab wounds, with surgical interventions. Also they are divided into:
1) open - only the organ tissue is damaged, the capsule remains intact;
2) complete - the tissue and capsule are damaged at the same time or the organ is torn off.
In some cases, the splenic rupture occurs not at the time of injury, but after a while.
Spleen injuries include spontaneous spalling, which occurs with malaria, typhoid fever, leukemia. In the severe course of these diseases, even a weak effect on the epigastric region and the left hypochondrium can result in a rupture and severe bleeding into the abdominal cavity.
All symptoms of damage are associated with bleeding at the time of injury: pallor of the skin, dizziness, drop in blood pressure, acceleration of the heartbeat, sometimes fainting. The pain may not be strong, but it increases with breathing, coughing, trying to change the position of the body, in some cases the matter is even limited to a feeling of raspiraniya in the left hypochondrium or in the epigastric region. If the pain is severe, it spreads to the left shoulder and left scapula. The victim takes one of two characteristic poses: either lies on the left side, pressing his legs to the stomach, or, if he lies on his back, immediately sits down, trying to reduce the pain, but can not sit for a long time and again lies down - behaves like a "vanka-stand up. "Nausea and vomiting are possible.
If the patient does not provide immediate medical attention, 95% of deaths occur. With small tears and cracks, the spleen is trying to preserve, imposing seams on the damage. With extensive wounds, the organ is immediately removed.
Lesion of the spleen in certain diseases
The spleen primarily suffers from blood diseases. Especially noticeable it varies with Verlhof disease, hemolytic and hypo- or aplastic anemia, Gaucher's disease, leukemia and lymphogranulomatosis.
With Werlhof's disease, which can develop at any age( chronic is determined almost from the moment of birth, acute emergence occurs at a more mature age) and is more common in women, patients complain of weakness, dizziness, mucous membrane bleeding. The treatment uses hemostatic means, blood transfusion and its preparations, corticosteroid hormones( prednisolone).The spleen is removed if hormonal therapy is unsuccessful, frequent exacerbations of the disease, disrupting the patient's ability to work, in emergency cases - in complications( uterine or gastric bleeding, cerebral hemorrhage, etc.).
Hemolytic anemia is characterized by a decrease in the level of hemoglobin and increased disintegration of red blood cells, which is determined by blood tests. Patients complain of weakness, headache, they often have jaundice. They are prescribed corticosteroid hormones, transfused blood. If the therapy is ineffective, the spleen is removed.
Hypo- and aplastic anemia is characterized by a violation of the formation of blood cells in the bone marrow. Patients complain of weakness, dizziness, bleeding of the mucous membranes. When the disease worsens, hemorrhages develop in the sclera of the eye, the fundus and the brain. Patients are prescribed haemostatic drugs, corticosteroids and anabolic hormones( retabolil, nerobol), vitamins B, folic and nicotinic acids, systematically transfuse blood. Complete recovery is possible with a bone marrow transplant.
Hypoplastic anemia is probably the only disease in which the spleen does not increase, but as it participates in the blood, it is removed if hormonal therapy is unsuccessful, increased anemia, frequent bleeding, etc.
Gaucher disease is characterized by accumulation in the body of lipids and damagespleen and liver. The disease begins with early childhood and manifests itself with frequent bleeding( nasal, gastrointestinal, uterine), enlarged spleen and liver, changes in blood composition, appearance of specific Gaucher cells in the spleen and bone marrow. With a small increase in the spleen, no special treatment is required. The spleen is removed with its strong increase, changes in the bone system.
Leukemia and lymphogranulomatosis are malignant diseases that are difficult to treat. With a pronounced process, the spleen can reach a gigantic size, which requires its removal.
The spleen is enlarged and inflamed with many infectious and inflammatory diseases: malaria, abdominal and typhus, mononucleosis, brucellosis, tularemia, hepatitis, syphilis, sepsis, etc. But it is not affected in isolation, and together with the liver - there is a so-called hepatolyenal syndrome,which is manifested by the severity and pain in both hypochondria, nausea, deterioration or total absence of appetite, sometimes a violation of the stool. Treatment is carried out within the framework of therapy of the underlying disease.
Respiratory gymnastics for diseases of the spleen
Practically for all diseases of the spleen, patients are recommended for rest, therefore, unfortunately, such a treatment method as LFK is not applied. But there are several breathing exercises that facilitate the condition and promote a speedy recovery.
Exercise 1. The starting position - lying on the back, legs bent at the knees, hands - under the head. Breathe so that the abdominal wall moves( this breathing is called diaphragmatic), gradually accelerating the rhythm of inspiration and exhalation. Do 10-20 respiratory movements until your head dizzy.
Exercise 2. The starting position is the same. Deeply inhale, and then exhale the air in small portions, uttering the syllable "cha" and trying to with each exhalation sharply moved abdominal wall. Each breath should be 3-4 exhalations. Repeat the exercise 3-8 times.
Exercise 3. The starting position is the same. Inhale, drawing in your belly, exhalation free. Then inhale, sticking out your belly, exhalation free. Make 6-12 breaths, alternately pulling and bulging out the stomach.
Exercise 4. The starting position is the same, but the exercise can be performed and standing, putting his hands on the stomach with his hands. Quickly inhale at the same time with your nose and mouth, sticking out your stomach. Take a few breaths, and then one quiet exhalation. Begin the exercise with 6-10 breaths, gradually increasing their number to 40.
Exercise 5. The starting position is the same. Inhale, while making a gaping movement, without opening your mouth. After inhaling, hold your breath for 3 seconds, then let it out freely. Repeat the exercise 10-15 times.
Exercise 6. The starting position is the same, only the hands rest on the hips. Take a deep breath, sticking out your stomach, then bring your hand to your mouth and slowly exhale into the palm of your hand, folding your lips with a tube. The next breath to do, pulling in the belly, exhale the same way, changing hands. Repeat the exercise 6-10 times.