10 Signs You Might Have a Spleen Problem

Your spleen plays an important role in your body's ability to fight off illness and keep you strong, but if it gets inflamed or ruptured, you could be in serious trouble. This organ-related problem can be fatal in the worst cases, so pay attention to the telltale signs of spleen problems. Here are 10 symptoms of spleen problems that should never be ignored.

1) Fatigue

Fatigue, the most common symptom, can be due to overwork or an underlying condition. Other signs of spleen problems may be fever, chest pain, and abdominal pain. See your doctor for a full diagnosis if you notice any of these symptoms. Getting treatment as soon as possible is important because your spleen cannot repair itself once it starts to fail. Some people do not have any symptoms and find out they have a spleen problem through routine blood work. In other cases, many different symptoms might occur. For instance, a woman with an enlarged spleen might have difficulty breathing when standing up (orthopnea). Or someone with trauma-related bleeding might experience bleeding from the gums after brushing their teeth (spontaneous gingival bleeding).

2) Fever

The spleen is an organ that produces white blood cells. When the spleen becomes enlarged or inflamed, it may not be able to produce enough white blood cells. This can cause symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and pallor due to low levels of red blood cells. Fever is an early sign of problems with the spleen. If your fever persists for over a week and you have other signs of problems with your spleen, you should contact your doctor for diagnosis and treatment recommendations. What are some signs of spleen problems? 

Other common signs include bruising, bleeding (particularly in new mothers who have recently delivered), and an enlarged liver. What are some telltale symptoms of a problem with your spleen? Some symptoms include -Tenderness on the left side below the rib cage

-Bruising or difficulty breathing

-Bleeding from nose, mouth, or genitals

-Fever lasting longer than 7 days

3) Enlarged lymph nodes

The spleen is located in the left lower part of your abdomen. The spleen is an organ that filters your blood, destroying old and damaged red blood cells and producing new ones. When it enlarges due to inflammation (swelling), it can cause pain and discomfort in the upper left abdomen. Enlarged lymph nodes in this area may also be a sign of an infection or tumor in the spleen. In rare cases, the spleen can become so large that it presses against other organs in the abdominal cavity, such as the liver or stomach. Swollen lymph nodes are often found on both sides of the neck if related to infection or inflammation.

As with any illness, fever is not always present with a spleen problem but may accompany an infection. If you have a fever without other symptoms, see your doctor immediately for evaluation! -pain in the upper left abdomen;

-swollen and sore lymph nodes near your breastbone;

-feeling generally unwell;

-feeling lightheaded or dizzy;

-headache and vomiting; or, uncommonly: difficulty breathing.

4) Night sweats

Night sweats are common in cases of chronic inflammation. The spleen helps the body fight infection and is an organ heavily involved in the immune system. When something goes wrong with the spleen, it has more difficulty fighting off infections. This can lead to night sweats as the body cools down its temperature. Night sweats can also be caused by other problems such as sleep apnea, high blood pressure, or heart disease. If you have any of these problems, talk to your doctor about what steps you can take to lower your risk for night sweats, and make sure that you're taking care of yourself so that you're better able to fight off bacteria when they come knocking on your door. It's important to note that if you experience bleeding symptoms, jaundice (yellowing of the skin), or develop easy bruising, go see your doctor immediately. These are all signs of a serious problem and should not be ignored.

5) Weight loss

Weight loss is one of the most common signs of spleen problems, as it can be caused by the spleen's inability to produce enough red blood cells. The spleen is one of the largest organs in the body and plays an important role in fighting off infections, which can lead to anemia. Additionally, if your spleen has been damaged and produces fewer white blood cells than normal, it will have trouble fighting bacteria or viruses. A low platelet count may also indicate that your immune system isn't functioning properly, which could be caused by a damaged spleen. Other symptoms can include fever, abdominal pain, fatigue, or jaundice. Jaundice refers to the yellowing of the skin and eyes, often caused by high bilirubin levels. If left untreated, severe jaundice can cause death due to organ failure. In this case, you should seek immediate medical attention from a doctor or hospital.

A sudden increase in the size of your abdomen might mean you have an enlarged spleen. An enlarged spleen typically results from either a bacterial infection or cirrhosis of the liver; 

however, sometimes, people don't know what causes it. An enlarged spleen may make breathing difficult because there is too much pressure on other organs, so it should always be checked out by a doctor right away.

6) Loss of appetite

Loss of appetite can be one of the first signs of spleen problems. It is important to understand that this symptom does not always mean that you have a problem with your spleen, but it is worth looking into if you experience it for more than two weeks. Other symptoms include: feeling lightheaded or dizzy, shortness of breath, fast heartbeat, and pain in the left shoulder blade or upper back. What are the signs of spleen problems? 

Please contact your physician if these persist for more than four hours. A doctor may recommend imaging tests like ultrasound or CT scans.

7) Abdominal pain or fullness

Abdominal pain or fullness is the most common symptom of spleen problems. The pain can be mild or severe and typically starts in the upper left abdomen. You might also feel fullness in your stomach, nausea, vomiting, and fever. Less common symptoms include fatigue and weakness. Other signs that you might have a problem with your spleen include being pale, experiencing dark urine, bruising easily, and feeling lightheaded when you stand up too quickly.

It's not always easy to diagnose whether someone has a problem with their spleen without an examination by their doctor. Some people may not experience any symptoms at all. Those who do experience abdominal pain are advised to see their doctor immediately because it could lead to infection or rupture if untreated for too long. People who take medications that affect blood clotting, such as heparin or warfarin, should promptly report any health changes. Symptoms of chronic issues with the spleen include back pain and a tender lump on the front left side of your abdomen (where your ribs meet). People with bleeding disorders, such as hemophilia A or B, usually experience frequent nosebleeds and prolonged bleeding from cuts and bruises. People diagnosed with certain blood cancers like leukemia often have abnormal blood tests indicating they have low platelets (cells responsible for clotting) and other abnormalities.

8) Chest pain

Chest pain is one of the more common signs that people experience when they have spleen problems. The pain typically comes on suddenly, usually in the center of your chest, and can last anywhere from five to thirty minutes. It's often sharp or stabbing in nature and may feel like indigestion or heartburn. Often times it will radiate to your upper back, making breathing difficult for some people. Suppose you're experiencing this type of pain. In that case, getting checked out by a doctor as soon as possible is important to rule out serious conditions like myocardial infarction (heart attack) or angina (chest pain due to coronary artery disease). In addition to chest pain, other indications of an issue with your spleen could include the following:

9) Shortness of breath

Sudden shortness of breath is a common symptom of spleen problems. It can be caused by blood clots or internal bleeding in the spleen. If you have this symptom, seeing your doctor as soon as possible is important.

If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, it could mean that your spleen isn't working correctly. Here are 10 signs that might indicate a problem with your spleen

10) Easy bruising or bleeding

What are the signs of spleen problems? Easy bruising or bleeding is one of the most common. A ruptured spleen can cause the blood vessels to break open and bleed out into your abdominal cavity, creating bruises on your skin that won't go away. Blood in vomit, urine, or stool may also indicate a ruptured spleen. The risk for this complication is higher if the spleen has been removed due to trauma or tumor because it doesn't have a chance to heal itself.