Spleen Pain: Symptoms, Causes, Prevention and Treatment

When you visit your doctor with a complaint of discomfort and pain behind the left ribs in your upper abdomen, the doctor may start with a physical examination of that area. When he touches the area, you may feel tenderness. This is indicative of potential issues with the spleen. Your doctor may term the pain as spleen pain. Depending on the underlying problem with the spleen, you may have mild to severe intensity spleen pain.

Symptoms of Spleen Pain

If you have a problem in the spleen, you can experience various symptoms. The most common sign you may report is discomfort or pain in the upper left side of your abdomen radiating to the left shoulder or back. Other symptoms include:

• You may feel full quickly even after eating small amounts
• Bloating with distention in your abdominal
• Tenderness when someone touches the area 
• Dizziness and your heart rate become rapid
• Anaemia and fatigue
• Frequent infections

Causes of Spleen Pain

Numerous conditions can trigger spleen pain: 

• Infections rank among the most common causes, with viral infections like mononucleosis, bacterial infections like endocarditis, and parasitic infections, including malaria, affecting the organ. 
• Liver diseases like cirrhosis can cause pressure buildup in blood vessels, leading to splenomegaly. 
• Blood cancers, autoimmune disorders, and physical trauma also contribute to spleen pain.

Risk Factors for Spleen Pain

Primary risk factors include exposure to infections, the presence of liver diseases, blood disorders such as haemolytic anaemia and sickle cell disease, and various types of cancer. Consequently, individuals with genetic disorders, autoimmune conditions, or congestive heart failure face higher risks of experiencing spleen pain.

Complications of Spleen Pain

An enlarged or damaged spleen can lead to serious complications if left untreated. These include:

• Tissue death occurs when the organ outgrows its blood supply
• Hypersplenism (when the spleen becomes overactive and removes too many blood cells)
• Splenic rupture- A ruptured spleen represents a medical emergency that requires immediate attention to prevent dangerous internal bleeding.

Spleen Pain complications can become life-threatening if left untreated.

How is Spleen Pain Diagnosed?

Physical assessment: Doctors often detect spleen problems by gently feeling the left upper abdomen during a physical examination. For many patients, doctors can feel an enlarged spleen through the abdominal wall. However, physical examination alone isn't enough to confirm the diagnosis.

Several tests help doctors accurately diagnose spleen issues:

• Blood tests: Complete blood count checks red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, while liver function tests evaluate organ health
• Imaging tests: Ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI can determine spleen size, detect crowding of other organs, and trace blood flow
• Bone marrow tests: Sometimes needed to investigate the cause of spleen enlargement

Spleen Pain for Thoracic Pain

Spleen issues can sometimes masquerade as thoracic pain, creating diagnostic challenges. The pain might present in the thoracic spine or appear anteriorly in the abdomen or chest. This happens because of visceral referral, where pain from an organ is felt in a different area of the body.

Research indicates that thoracic pain potentially involves more serious pathologies compared to other common musculoskeletal disorders. Therefore, a thorough evaluation becomes essential, especially since non-traumatic rupture of the spleen can initially appear as thoracic discomfort.

When to See a Doctor

Seek immediate medical guidance if you experience severe pain in the upper left side of your abdomen, especially if:

• The pain worsens when you breathe
• Dizziness with a rapid heartbeat
• Pain radiating to the left shoulder
• You have experienced recent trauma to your abdomen

A ruptured spleen constitutes a medical emergency that can cause fatal internal bleeding and requires immediate treatment.

Prevention

Though not all spleen issues can be prevented, several steps help protect an enlarged spleen:

• Avoid contact sports like football, soccer, and hockey
• Always wear seatbelt while driving to reduce injury risk during accidents
• Get recommended vaccinations if you've had your spleen removed
• Take prescribed antibiotics as directed, especially after splenectomy
• Seek prompt treatment for infections before they become serious

Patients who've had their spleen removed should take low-dose antibiotics for at least two years—often for life—to prevent bacterial infections.

Conclusion

Understanding spleen pain proves essential for anyone experiencing discomfort in the upper left abdomen. Though often overlooked, this small but vital organ deserves attention when it signals distress. Pain behind the left ribs might indicate various conditions ranging from infections to more serious issues like rupture or cancer.

Recognising the symptoms early significantly improves treatment outcomes. The combination of abdominal pain, shoulder discomfort, quick satiety, and frequent infections should prompt medical attention. Patients with risk factors such as liver disease, blood disorders, or autoimmune conditions need particular vigilance regarding spleen health.

FAQs

1. How can I heal my spleen naturally?

Supporting spleen health naturally involves several lifestyle changes. Drinking plenty of water helps with proper organ function, as does regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight.

• Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds
• Reduce intake of processed foods, refined oils and sugary items
• Practise stress-reduction activities like walking, warm baths or hobbies
• Consider essential oils for reducing inflammation and pain

2. Can spleen pain heal itself?

In some cases, spleen pain resolves without specific treatment. Typically, doctors treat the underlying condition rather than the enlarged spleen itself. However, if the cause is a temporary infection, the spleen might return to normal size once the infection clears.

3. Can a fatty liver cause an enlarged spleen?

Research confirms a strong connection between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and enlarged spleen. This association appears early in the disease process, possibly due to initial increases in portal vein pressure.

4. Is spleen pain left or right?

Spleen pain occurs exclusively on the left side. Located in the upper left abdomen behind the ribs, this organ causes pain on the left side, occasionally radiating to the left shoulder or back.

5. Can gas cause spleen pain?

Gas accumulation, particularly in the splenic flexure of the colon, can mimic spleen pain. This condition, called splenic flexure syndrome, causes discomfort in the upper left abdomen that might be confused with actual spleen issues.

6. Can I ignore spleen pain?

Ignoring spleen pain is potentially dangerous. An enlarged or damaged spleen risks rupture, which can cause life-threatening internal bleeding. Seek immediate medical attention for severe left-sided abdominal pain, especially with dizziness or shoulder pain.

7. How to check the spleen at home?

While professional diagnosis remains essential, some preliminary self-checks exist:

• Look for tenderness in the upper left abdomen below the ribs
• Note any pain that worsens when taking deep breaths
• Check for early satiety (feeling full quickly after eating little)
• Monitor for unexplained bruising or frequent infections