Question

What are the symptoms of spleen problems?

Answer 1

Spleen:

1. Spleen is a fist-sized, purple-coloured organ present in the upper left side of the abdomen, next to the stomach, and behind the left ribs.
2. The spleen is part of your body’s lymphatic system.
3. The lymphatic system helps remove cellular waste, maintain fluid balance, and make and activate infection-fighting white blood cells for the immune system.
4. It acts as a filter for blood as part of the immune system.
5. Old red blood cells are recycled in the spleen, whereas platelets and white blood cells are stored there.

If the spleen does not work properly, it may start to remove healthy blood cells. This can lead to :

1. Anemia due to a reduced number of red blood cells.
2. An increased risk of infection due to a reduction in white blood cells.
3. Bleeding or bruising, caused by a reduced number of platelets.

Symptoms of spleen problems include:

1. enlargement and pain on the upper left side of the abdomen further spread to the left shoulder.
2. anaemia
3. weight loss
4. fatigue
5. unable to have a large meal