Table of Contents
Can rheumatoid arthritis cause spleen enlargement?
Some people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) get a rare disorder known as Felty’s Syndrome (FS). It causes an enlarged spleen and a very low white blood count. It can be painful and lead to serious infections in some cases.
Why does RA cause enlarged spleen?
These results indicated that an enlarged spleen in patients with RA might be caused by a mechanism similar to that in Felty’s syndrome,1 in which white blood cells are sequestered in the spleen to clear the circulating immune complexes—that is, increased removal of granulocytes rather than impaired production of …
How do you heal your spleen?
Get plenty of rest for 2 to 3 months while your spleen heals. Avoid strenuous activities that could re-injure your spleen. These include lifting, jogging, aerobic exercise, and contact sports. Ask your doctor when you can go back to work, school, or your regular activities.
Can ibuprofen help spleen pain?
The doctor places a long thin tube (catheter) into the bleeding vessel. Then tiny bits of material are placed into the blood vessel to help form a clot. If we cannot stop the bleeding, we may need to remove the spleen. For 4 weeks, do not take aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve).
What autoimmune disease affects the spleen?
What is Lupus? Lupus is an autoimmune disease that impacts the immune system. The immune system is like an organ in the body. It is made up of blood cells and lymph nodes as well as parts of the liver and the spleen.
What foods can irritate the spleen?
Think of the spleen as being powered by heat. Frozen food, icy drinks, cucumber, bitter or winter melon, lettuce and grapefruit deplete the spleen’s “fire”. Foods that are “damp” – such as dairy products, refined sugars and sweets – can also smother the digestive process.
What can you not do with an enlarged spleen?
Limit any activities that could rupture your spleen, such as contact sports. A ruptured spleen can cause lots of blood loss and be life threatening. It’s important to seek treatment for the cause of your enlarged spleen. Left untreated, an enlarged spleen can lead to serious complications.
What illnesses affect the spleen?
Conditions that affect the spleen bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections such as syphilis, tuberculosis, endocarditis, mononucleosis (mono), and malaria. blood cancers such as Hodgkin’s disease, leukemia, and lymphoma. liver diseases like cirrhosis. hemolytic anemia.
What causes an enlarged spleen and what are the symptoms?
It can happen for many reasons, including problems with too many platelets and other disorders of the blood. An enlarged spleen can be caused by infections, cirrhosis and other liver diseases, blood diseases characterized by abnormal blood cells, problems with the lymph system, or other conditions.
What kind of surgery is needed for enlarged spleen?
If surgery is needed, a surgeon is likely to remove the spleen using laparoscopy rather than open surgery. This means the surgery is performed through small incisions. A laparoscope allows the surgeon to view and remove the spleen.
What happens if you rupture your spleen in sports?
Limit any activities that could rupture your spleen, such as contact sports. A ruptured spleen can cause lots of blood loss and be life threatening. It’s important to seek treatment for the cause of your enlarged spleen. Left untreated, an enlarged spleen can lead to serious complications.
Can a spleen be taken out with FS?
Surgery: If your FS is severe and other treatments don’t work, your doctor may recommend that your spleen be taken out. This could return your red and white blood cells to normal levels and may lower your risk of infection for an indefinite amount of time.