what does the spleen do

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The spleen can become swollen after an infection or injury. Its roles include filtering blood, storing platelets and white blood cells, recycling broken down red blood cells, and destroying harmful microorganisms like bacteria. Think of your lymphatic system like this: If your body were a city, the organs and fluids that make up the lymphatic system would be the policemen, firefighters andthe garbage men. The spleen works with other organs in the body to complete the tasks of blood storage, fighting infection and filtering the blood. The spleen does contribute to overall good health, but it is also not an essential organ, which is important because it can be fragile and may need to be surgically removed. For most viruses, not having a spleen does not seem to be a major risk factor for illness. Functions of the spleen The spleen’s primary job is to filter the blood. You should also use mosquito nets and insect repellent. When it does, it processes and stores more blood, which frequently causes it to enlarge. However, too many sweets, especially … This is because the liver can take over many of the spleen's functions. Surgery is only necessary if the enlarged spleen is causing serious complications or if the cause can't be found. Antibiotics are particularly important: Watch out for signs of infection, such as: Your GP can prescribe a course of antibiotics for you to use if you get an infection. Like an oil filter in your car, the spleen cleans your blood as it flows through it. It is the largest organ in our lymphatic system. Some people are born without a spleen or need to have it removed because of disease or injury. Bites from animals and ticks (small blood-sucking parasites) can cause infections. Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. If your infection becomes serious, you will be admitted to hospital. Learn more about your spleen: https://wb.md/31itxLVIt's that organ right behind the stomach and under the lungs, but honestly what does the spleen do? Surgery: How to Prepare for a Splenectomy, https://medlineplus.gov/spleendiseases.html#summary​. If possible, avoid countries where malaria is present. Otherwise, look out for: Doctors can often tell if you have an enlarged spleen by feeling your abdomen. Outlined is a very large, but smooth spleen in a cat. If you spot any signs of infection, contact your GP or hospital immediately, as you may need antibiotics. You should also be vaccinated against: It's recommended that you take low-dose antibiotics for the rest of your life to prevent bacterial infections. acts as a blood filter; it controls the amount of red blood cells and blood storage in the body, and helps to fight infection,\" said Jordan Knowlton, an advanced registered nurse practitioner at the University of Florida Health Shands Hospital. 2. It is the size of a human fist. It may sometimes be more appropriate to have just part of your spleen removed – a partial splenectomy. Part of the lymphatic system, it performs a number of important functions in the body that protect us from the effects of outside “invaders,” stress and certain deficiencies. You'll need a general anaesthetic and may need to stay in hospital for a few days to recover. The spleen can become damaged or may rupture (burst) after a forceful blow to the abdomen, car accident, sporting accident or fracture to the ribs. The x-ray of a cat’s abdomen shows an enlarged spleen due to mast cell tumor, the most common spleen tumor in the cat. The spleen participates in the creation of blood cells and also helps to filter out the blood, removing old blood cells and fighting infection. It helps the immune system by storing white blood cells and helping in the creation of antibodies. It can also become enlarged as a result of a disease such as cirrhosis, leukaemia or rheumatoid arthritis. However, sometimes chronic enlargement develops, a … It plays an important role- in the body’s defense against infection. Unlike organs that are noticed every day, such as the skin, most people never think about the spleen unless it becomes damaged by trauma. The spleen is an oval-shaped organ that sits under the rib cage on the left-hand side of the body. As the spleen is not the only organ responsible for any of these functions, the spleen is not a necessary organ. Spleen Houses the Intellect. Probably the single most important thing the spleen does i… This risk will be present for the rest of your life. You should be able to eat and drink as normal soon after the operation. It is around 4 to 5 inches long. Young children have a higher risk of serious infection than adults, but the risk is still small. Most splenectomies are carried out using laparoscopy (keyhole surgery). It's normal to feel sore and be bruised after a splenectomy, but you'll be given pain relief medication. While the spleen is a little-known organ, it often becomes the cause of significant worry and excitement after a car accident or other incident that leads to bleeding. If you go trekking or camping regularly, you may be at risk of babesiosis, which is a rare disease transmitted by ticks. The spleen controls the level of white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets (small cells that form blood clots). **** Common signs and symptoms include sudden pain and tenderness in the upper left abdomen, left shoulder pain, fever, chills and a generalized feeling of being ill. Gas will be pumped into your abdomen to make this easier. **As with a spleen injury, signs and symptoms vary according to the extent of organ damage 9. While the spleen is useful and does perform vital tasks, other organs in the body also work to filter the blood and fight infection, and blood cells are mainly produced in the bones. You may be able to go home the same day, or may need to stay in hospital overnight. Individuals who have had their spleen removed will need to tell healthcare providers that their spleen is absent, as they will always be at higher risk for infection. A splenic infarction refers to the death of some of the spleen tissue due to an interruption in blood supply 5 8 9. The most common reasons to do a splenectomy are to treat a ruptured spleen, an enlarged spleen or other disorders of the spleen and blood disorders. Like any operation, a splenectomy carries a small risk of complications, including bleeding and infection. The size of the spleen … Open surgery, where one large incision is made, may be needed if the spleen is too large or too damaged to be removed via keyhole surgery. Try to avoid tick bites by wearing clothes that cover your skin, particularly long trousers. It is important that a person without a spleen not ignore early signs of infection, such as a fever, as the body is more likely to require antibiotics to fight infection effectively. It mainly acts as a filter for purifying the blood, removing microbes and worn out or damaged red blood cells. The spleen has a high amount of blood flow, which can lead to a tremendous amount of bleeding when there is a serious injury and the bleeding can quickly become life-threatening. The spleen controls the level of white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets (small cells that form blood clots) It controls the level of blood cells. It is possible to have the spleen removed and live a healthy life. However, always remember to tell any medical professionals that you see, including your dentist. It's a good idea to carry or wear some medical ID. Antibiotics may be prescribed if there's an infection. The spleen is a delicate, fist-sized organ under your left rib cage near your stomach. A Review of Spleen Function and Role in Myeloproliferative Neoplasms. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. As the spleen is not the only organ responsible for any of these functions, the spleen is not a necessary organ. Eat the Right Sweet: Spleen energy thrives on sweet flavors. While the spleen is useful and does perform vital tasks, other organs in the body also work to filter the blood and fight infection, and blood cells are mainly produced in the bones. It is an important part of your immune system but you can survive without it. Passing thin instruments into your abdomen through the other incisions, to remove your spleen. for the first two years after your spleen is removed, if your immune system doesn't work properly, redness and swelling around the surgical wound, if your spleen is removed, the hospital may give you a splenectomy card to take home with you, you may want to buy your own medical ID, such as a MedicAlert or Medi-Tag bracelet or pendant, you may be advised to take a course of antibiotics with you, find out if you need an extra meningitis vaccination (types ACWY), check if you need any travel vaccinations. If you get bitten by an animal, particularly a dog, start your course of antibiotics and seek medical advice urgently. So far this seems to be true for COVID-19 as well. For many, aside from being advised to have more vaccines than other individuals might, the end of the recovery from surgery is the last time they are concerned about their spleen. It screens the blood and removes any old or damaged red blood cells. This can be a sign of a damaged, ruptured or enlarged spleen. The spleen can also become enlarged, stretching over time, until it becomes unable to function. The spleen is an organ about the size of a clenched fist found on the left-hand side of your upper tummy (abdomen). It may be tender when you touch the area. name, location or any personal health conditions. The spleen is an organ found in virtually all vertebrates.Similar in structure to a large lymph node, it acts primarily as a blood filter.The word spleen comes from Ancient Greek σπλήν (splḗn).. The risks of contracting an infection are highest in the first two years following surgery. This means you will still be able to cope with most infections. However, you will still need a general anaesthetic. It contains special white blood cells that destroy bacteria and help your body fight infections. Your doctor will run through these risks with you. 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