The spleen is an organ that is about 12 cm long and weighs 70 grams and is located in the upper left part of the abdomen. It plays a crucial role in the health of the body. It acts as a filter for the blood, removing impurities and waste, and is also responsible for producing white blood cells, boosting the immune system.
In some cases, the spleen may become enlarged due to infection or other underlying conditions. When this happens, the organ can grow to more than 20 cm in length and weigh more than a kilogram, leading to various health complications.
Symptoms of Spleen Problems in Females may include: Abdominal pain in the upper left abdomen, which can spread to the left shoulder or back, fatigue and weakness, recurring infections, unexplained bruising or bleeding, and loss of appetite or feeling full after eating small amounts of food.
Early Warning Signs of Spleen Disorders in Women
Symptoms of spleen problems in females include:
- Loss of appetite or feeling full quickly due to pressure from the enlarged spleen on the stomach and the accompanying weight loss.
- Feeling pain and discomfort in the upper left side of the abdomen, which may extend to the left shoulder or back.
- Feeling tenderness when touching the left side below the rib cage.
- The appearance of bruises or unexplained bleeding in the body is one of the signs of an enlarged spleen.
- Infections that occur frequently due to a weak immune system.
- Fatigue, loss of energy, and anemia are symptoms of an enlarged spleen. (NHS, 2023)
Common Symptoms of Enlarged or Ruptured Spleen in Females
Symptoms of an enlarged spleen include:
- Feeling of fullness in the upper left abdomen.
- Getting full from the smallest amount of food.
- Loss of appetite.
- Pain in the upper left abdomen that sometimes extends to the left shoulder and back.
- Weight loss.
- Anemia.
- Easy bleeding.
- Recurring infections.
Splenic rupture symptoms:
Splenic rupture is a condition that may cause severe internal bleeding and is a serious, life-threatening condition. Its symptoms include the following:
- Severe pain in the upper left part of the abdomen extending to the left shoulder and back.
- Dizziness.
- Vertigo.
- Confusion.
- Loss of direction.
- Paleness and tension.
- Nausea.
- Blurred vision.
- Fainting.
- Anxiety.
- Restlessness.
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When to Seek Help for Spleen Issues in Women
If you feel symptoms of spleen problems in females, you should seek medical help.
These symptoms include the following:
- Severe pain in the upper left side of the abdomen that increases with deep breathing or extends to the left shoulder and back.
- If you bruise and bleed easily.
- If you suffer from unexplained weight loss.
- If you feel full from the smallest amount of food.
- If you feel tenderness when touching the area below the rib cage on the left side.
In this case, the doctor can diagnose an enlarged spleen by conducting a medical examination and palpating the area where this organ is located.
More tests are performed to confirm the diagnosis, such as CT scans, MRI scans, and blood tests.
Splenomegaly is treated according to the cause that led to its enlargement, such as a microbial infection, which includes treating this infection.
In some cases, the spleen is surgically removed if necessary. (Chapman, n.d.)
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References
Chapman, J. (n.d.). StatPearlsSplenomegaly. Retrieved from 2023: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/books/NBK430907/
NHS. (2023). Retrieved from Spleen problems and spleen removal: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/spleen-problems-and-spleen-removal/