Ruptured Spleen

Your spleen is a small organ located beneath your rib cage on your left side. It's part of your body's defense system, helping to fight infections and remove old blood cells.

A ruptured spleen happens when the spleen breaks open, often due to a strong impact to the stomach area. This could happen during a sports injury, a fight, or a car accident. A blow might not have to be very hard if your spleen is already larger than normal.

When the spleen breaks, it can release a lot of blood into your abdomen. This internal bleeding can be very serious and even life-threatening if not treated quickly.

Treatment for a ruptured spleen depends on the severity of the injury. In some cases, emergency surgery is necessary to repair the broken spleen. Other times, a few days of hospital care, including close monitoring and treatment, may be enough.

A ruptured spleen is a serious injury that needs immediate medical attention. If you've been hurt and think you might have a ruptured spleen, seek emergency care right away.

Here are some warning signs:

• Pain in your upper left stomach: This is often a key symptom. The pain might be sharp or dull, and it could get worse with movement.

• Tenderness in your upper left stomach: When touched, this area will likely be painful.

• Pain in your left shoulder: This pain is sometimes a sign of a ruptured spleen. It can happen because of the way the body processes the blood loss.

• Feeling confused, lightheaded, or dizzy: These symptoms can happen as your body loses blood. They could also mean the blood loss is severe.

A ruptured spleen is a medical emergency. Don't delay seeking help if you have any of these symptoms after an injury.

A ruptured spleen is a serious medical problem that needs immediate attention. If you've been injured and think you might have a ruptured spleen, get emergency medical help right away. Symptoms that might suggest a ruptured spleen include pain in your left upper abdomen, tenderness in that area, feeling faint or dizzy, and a rapid heart rate. Don't delay; prompt medical care is crucial.

A spleen rupture happens when the spleen breaks. This can be caused by a few things:

1. A blow to the left side of your body. This is the most common cause. A hard hit to your left upper stomach or lower left chest, like during a sports injury, a fight, or a car accident, can damage your spleen. Sometimes, the spleen tears right away. Other times, the damage might not show up for a few days or even weeks.

2. A swollen spleen. Sometimes, the spleen becomes larger than normal. This happens when too many blood cells build up inside it. Several health problems can cause this swelling, including:

   • Infections: Like mononucleosis (the "mono" virus).
   • Liver problems: If your liver isn't working properly, it can affect your spleen.
   • Blood cancers: Certain types of cancer can cause the spleen to swell.

In short, a spleen rupture can happen because of a direct impact to the left side of the body, or because the spleen itself is enlarged due to an underlying medical condition.

A swollen spleen, whether from an infection or something else, makes it more likely to tear. This is because the spleen, already enlarged, is more vulnerable to damage. Activities like contact sports, where a forceful blow to the chest is possible, significantly raise the chances of a spleen rupture.

A ruptured spleen can lead to serious internal bleeding. This bleeding happens inside your abdomen, and it can be life-threatening.

If your doctor says your spleen is enlarged, ask them if you should avoid certain activities for a while. Activities that could hurt your spleen, like contact sports, lifting heavy things, or anything that might bump or bruise your stomach, could be off-limits for a few weeks. This is to prevent the spleen from getting damaged and possibly rupturing.

Diagnosing a ruptured spleen involves several steps. A doctor will first examine your abdomen by pressing on it. This helps them feel the size and tenderness of your spleen.

Blood tests are also important. These tests check things like the number of platelets in your blood and how well your blood clots. Platelets are tiny cells that help stop bleeding.

If a doctor suspects a ruptured spleen, especially in an emergency, they might use an ultrasound to look for blood in your abdomen. Another way to find blood is by taking a small sample of fluid from your belly with a needle. If the fluid contains blood, it strongly suggests a ruptured spleen and often requires immediate surgery.

If the diagnosis isn't clear from the physical exam, blood tests, or ultrasound, imaging tests like a CT scan might be needed. A CT scan uses X-rays to create detailed images of your internal organs. Sometimes, a special dye is used with the CT scan to make the organs show up more clearly. This helps pinpoint the problem. Other imaging tests may be used as well.

In short: Doctors use a combination of physical exams, blood tests, and imaging scans to diagnose a possible ruptured spleen. These methods help them determine the size and tenderness of the spleen, assess blood clotting function, look for blood in the abdomen, and rule out other potential causes of symptoms. If blood is found, immediate surgery is often necessary.