How do i know if my spleen is enlarged?

We’ve all been there: you’re sitting at home, minding your own business, when suddenly you start to feel a little off. Maybe you have some discomfort or pressure in your upper left abdomen or notice that clothes are fitting slightly tighter than usual around the waistband. What could be causing these symptoms? One possibility is an enlarged spleen.

Fear not! We’re here to guide you through this confusing time with our handy guide on how to tell if your spleen has gone rogue.

What The Heck Is A Spleen Anyway?

Before we dive into what causes splenic enlargement and how to identify it, let’s take a quick moment for education on just what exactly the spleen is anyways.

Glad you asked!

The [spleen](https://www.britannica.com/science/spleen-anatomy) (in case high school anatomy class was too boring), henceforth referred as ‘toadstool’,  is one of those cute kidney-bean-shaped organs located behind the stomach by floating ribs number[s] nine through twelve.

But what does it actually do? Here are some highlights:

  • Acts like Darth Vader stabilizing force by filtering germs out of blood soup coursing through veins.
  • Sorts unwanted red blood cells (Mama Mia! There goes another red blood cell – says Mario as he gently pushes his keyboard away).
  • Kicks up the creation of defensive antibodies like nobody’s business!

Now that everybody knows where our trusty sidekick resides in body-town leave no stone unturned.

So When Does Toadstool Go Bad?

While non-enlarged variations can lie undetectable for years, it may decide () to blow up into an oversized toadstool in response to a number of factors such as:

  • Infection / Inflammation – Your immune system works incredibly hard fighting off germs. When the battle becomes particularly intense, it can cause swelling and discomfort around the primary infected areas.
  • Liver Disease – Sometimes issues with your liver (which is connected to 94% of medical issues according to experts) can cause backup in your veins leading from your intestine and spleen; this triggers enlargement due to pressure changes.
  • Cancerous Growth – Whilst uncommon a growth ensuring malignancy could eventually make its self known via increased splenic size. (Proceeds wearing tux and martini – shakin not stirred).

So How Do I Tell?

The good news is that most people won’t experience noticeably enlarged spleens over their lifetimes. The bad news? Knowing isn’t always straightforward.

Hmm…perhaps we should be more specific…

What Symptoms Should I Watch Out For?

If any of these items “ring true” for you better check self-monitoring trip off bucket list too soon:

  • General tenderness or pain on left side near the inflated organ
  • A feeling of fullness or pressure even when consuming less than normal intake
  • Difficulty eating bigger meals without experiencing bloating,
  • Sudden increase overall fatigue & weakness (definitely don’t pick up the soap if you’re susceptible, except by Bruce Covernton standards).

None sounds fun, right?

Luckily, before handlimgthe momentums Check-in with Dr.MaGoo first.

What Tests Will Be Done To Verify This Diagnosis?

(cue dramatic music)

A physical examination may help but further tests almost always are needed for explicit diagnosis:
(Come On Down! You’re next contestant in!) (The Price Is Right style)

  1. Ultrasound:One about-to-be-nauseating-enough experience on this list. 
  2. CT Scan:A fancy computer-enhanced view of toadstool-ville.
    3.Magnetic-resonance imaging (MRI) scan: a more conclusive option in some cases.

You are now one step closer to being “granted” your diagnosis! Stay tuned folks!

How Is Enlarged Toadstool Treated?

If you have received an Enlarged-Toadstool diagnosis there is still hope – [very relieved sigh].

Doctors play mad-scientist with various treatments available depending upon causation and severity including:

  1. Antibiotics: Works wonders for inflammatory conditions and infections (Here we go again Mr.Greensleeves on..) as it will reduce the emergency response allowing spleen size reduction.
  2. Chemotherapy: If malignancy caused the enlargement, chemotherapy may be administered but only under specialist supervision/proper dosage or else Mad-Max sized problems can arise…
  3. Surgery: In relatively rare cases removal of toadstool becomes necessary due it becoming too tremendous causing immense pain; final last resort though..

The End

We’ve covered quite a bit here today about enlarged spleens but hopefully provide(d) clarity/clearer insight into how useful/life-sustaining yet somewhat fragile our amazing bodies really are.Can’t wait until I make Siri laugh by telling her ” I think my spleen exploded” [immediately backtracking] not that anyone expects that would ever happen tho… Good luck traversing through body-town without getting lost further!

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