Sunday 21 April 2019

Spleen : Parts of the body

                                                     A to Z 2019


The spleen is an organ in the upper far left part of the abdomen, to the left of the stomach. 

The spleen varies in size and shape between people, but it’s commonly fist-shaped, purple, 
and about 4 inches long. Because the spleen is protected by the rib cage, one can’t easily 
feel it unless it’s abnormally enlarged.
The spleen plays multiple supporting roles in the body. It acts as a filter for blood as part of 
the immune system. Old red blood cells are recycled in the spleen, and platelets and white 
blood cells are stored there. The spleen also helps fight certain kinds of bacteria that cause 
pneumonia and meningitis.
                                          Enlarged spleen (Splenomegaly)
 An enlarged spleen, usually caused by viral mononucleosis (“mono”), liver disease, blood 
cancers (lymphoma and leukemia), or other conditions.
By pressing on the belly under the left ribcage, a doctor can feel an enlarged spleen. He or 
she can also look for other signs of illnesses that cause splenomegaly.
A probe is placed on the belly, and harmless sound waves create images by reflecting off the 
spleen and other organs. Splenomegaly can be detected by ultrasound.
A needle is inserted into a large bone (such as the pelvis) and a sample of bone marrow is 
taken out. Leukemia or lymphoma, which cause splenomegaly, are sometimes diagnosed by 
bone marrow biopsy.

                                       Ruptured spleen 
The spleen is vulnerable to injury, and a ruptured spleen can cause serious life-threatening 

internal bleeding and is a life-threatening emergency. An injured spleen may 
rupture immediately after an injury, or in some cases, days or weeks after an injury.

                                                 Sickle Cell Disease

In this inherited form of anemia, abnormal red blood cells block the flow of blood through 

vessels and can lead to organ damage, including damage to the spleen. 
People with sickle cell disease need immunizations to prevent illnesses .
                             Thrombocytopenia :  (low platelet count)
An enlarged spleen sometimes stores excessive numbers of the body’s platelets. 
Splenomegaly can result in abnormally few platelets circulating in the bloodstream where 
they belong.
                                                         Accessory spleen

About 10% of people have a small extra spleen. This causes no problems and is considered 

normal.

                                                       Spleen treatments.

Splenectomy : The spleen is removed by surgery, either through laparoscopy (multiple small 

incisions) or laparotomy (one large incision).  After spleen removal, it’s important to get 

vaccinations against certain bacteria, such as H. influenza and S. pneumonia. An absent 

spleen increases vulnerability to these infections.

Technically, people can live with no kidneys, but require dialysis.The spleen can be 

removed if, for instance, it's damaged. However, people without a spleen are more prone 

to infections. 

                                                   What foods heal spleen?

Consume mostly organic vegetables, sauteed or lightly cooked, grains like rice oats and 

quinoa, cherries, coconut dates, figs, grapes and mushroom.

Do not eat raw and cold foods.

Certain organs are related to emotional activities, i.e. the heart is related to joy, the 

liver to anger, the spleen to pensiveness, the lungs to anxiety and the kidneys to fear.


                                                           News 
The World leaders, the Fourth Estate, Social Media and common citizens have vented 
their spleen on the blasts in the tiny island of neighboring Sri Lanka .

                                  I am participating in the A to Z Challenge. 

Information courtesy Google.

Day 3.Chin & Cheeks                 Day 4. Dimples 
Day 5. Eye                                        Day 6. Feet
Day 7 . Gums/Gingiva                       Day 8. Hair 
Day 9. Intestine                                Day 10. Jaws                                   

Day 11. Kidneys                                Day 12. Lungs

Day 13. Mouth                                  Day 14. Nails 

Day 15. Ovary                                      Day 16. Pituitary-gland

Day 17.  Quadriceps                             Day 17.  Ribs                            










24 comments:

  1. I am so loving these informational posts and appreciate the research that you do and efforts being put in to bring such vital and verified info for us all. Kudos to your spirit and dedication.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Vibhu Gaur. and reader's appreciation makes my day.

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  2. One more great and educational post, I love how you scan the human body in the Challenge!

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  3. "Certain organs are related to emotional activities, i.e. the heart is related to joy, the liver to anger, the spleen to pensiveness, the lungs to anxiety and the kidneys to fear."
    So true. There is a strong connection between our physical body and our thoughts and emotions.
    Find my S post @ Simple Living For Happiness | Simplify Your Life in Just 3 Steps

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    1. The body works in unison with organs and our emotions. That is why inspirational gurus advice people to have positive outlook. Thank chick K.

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  4. My son's pediatrician is a very experienced doctor. I remember once when one of our friends son visited him with rashes over the body, he just touched the boy and asked which of the parents has thalassemia. As a novice, I was in awe. Later when my medico husband heard the incident, he said that the paed must have said it based in an enlarged spleen. That's the first time I came to know about yje relation of spleen with leukemia. Very informative and helpful post as always.

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    Replies
    1. Your son's paed seems to be very experienced. Docs looks for small signs and later prescribe for investigations. Thanks Sonia C.

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  5. An excellent post. I did not know that the spleen was a repository of platelets and WBCs. And I was not aware that the enlargement of the spleen could even be indicative of Leukaemia. Very informative.

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    1. I used to wonder why my doc asked me lie down and pressed on the abdomen. When i used to question her, she would say everything is fine. Thanks Jai.

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  6. That was some really good information about spleen, Kalpana.

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  7. I guess it's easy to forget about the spleen as it quietly works away in the background. It's also a lovely word to say - spleen!

    My A-Z of Children's Stories

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    Replies
    1. Spleen does work quietly in the backgound. Thanks Keith for dropping by and I am enjoying your kiddies stories very much.

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  8. I enjoy reading your educational posts. We need to know about our bodies first.

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    1. We start to take care of our bodies when we cross the age of forth or in case of health scare.Thanks Aditi K for reading and commenting.

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  9. Some people have an extra spleen!! Wasnt aware of that!!

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    Replies
    1. and it is considered normal. Thanks Shilpa Garg.

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  10. always good to learn new things. I wrote on Italian foods this month. https://everyonehasafamilystorytotell.wordpress.com/2019/04/22/2019-s-a-to-z-italian-famiglia-foods-and-memories-squash-pepperoni-quiche-and-squash-blossoms/

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  11. Very nice info here. New info that spleen is related to pensiveness, kidney to fear, liver to anger and lungs to anxiety. Oh I guess to be in a happy state, we have to be happy and healthy overall from each body part.
    What happened in Sri Lanka is truly sad and condemnable.

    Read my S post here SHE

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  12. First time I am hearing this part and thanks for the detailed information once again

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