Your spleen is an organ that sits just below your left rib cage. Many conditions — including infections, liver disease and some cancers — can cause an enlarged spleen. An enlarged spleen is also known as splenomegaly (spleh-no-MEG-uh-lee). An enlarged spleen usually doesn't cause symptoms.
Pain in your upper left abdomen under your ribs can have a variety of causes. There are several important organs in this area, including the: spleen kidney pancreas stomach colon lung. Life threatening causes include heart attack. Pain in your upper left abdomen under your ribs can have a variety of causes.
Spleen pain is usually felt as a pain behind your left ribs. It may be tender when you touch the area. This can be a sign of a damaged, ruptured or enlarged spleen.
Chest pain can sometimes signal a medical emergency, such as a heart attack. If you're feeling pain in your left ribs, it's best not to ignore it. Heart attack symptoms include : pain, discomfort, or a heavy feeling in your chest, usually in the middle or on the left side.
Symptoms of an Enlarged Spleen
People usually find out about it during a physical exam. These are the most common symptoms of an enlarged spleen: Being unable to eat a large meal. Feeling discomfort, fullness, or pain on the upper left side of the abdomen; this pain may spread to your left shoulder.
Palpation is performed by standing on the patient's right side and reaching over with the left hand to support the rib cage. Place your right hand just below the costal margin, leaving enough room to detect an enlarged spleen, and depressing the hand inward and upward to locate the splenic edge.
The spleen can become swollen after an infection or injury. It can also become enlarged as a result of a health condition, such as cirrhosis, leukaemia or rheumatoid arthritis.
Kidney pain, or renal pain, is usually felt in your back (under the ribs, to the right or left of the spine). It can spread to other areas, like the sides, upper abdomen or groin. If you have a kidney stone, you usually feel the pain in your back, side, lower belly or groin.
Left sided abdominal pain, usually just below the left rib cage does occur due to a bad gallbladder in some patients and this particular location can be the most difficult to diagnose as a bad gallbladder.
Generally, intermittent left side pain is a sign of gas or indigestion and should pass on its own. But if you notice severe abdominal pain on the left side of your body in conjunction with any of the following symptoms, it's time to call the doctor: Fever. Nausea or vomiting.
If you notice increased pain in the area of your spleen or your left shoulder, especially if it's worse when you breathe in, seek medical attention right away. A rupture is more likely to happen after an impact to your abdomen, but sometimes it happens by itself.
Additionally, many people with spleen pain report feeling a sense of fullness in their upper left abdomen. Sharp, dull, or no pain can accompany this sensation. You may also feel full when you do not eat or only eat a small amount due to the pressure from your spleen.
Symptoms of Spleen Injury
An injured or ruptured spleen can make the abdomen painful and tender. Blood in the abdomen acts as an irritant and causes pain. The pain is in the left side of the abdomen just below the rib cage. Sometimes the pain is felt in the left shoulder.
Moderate to severe upper abdominal pain that may spread to your back. Pain that comes on suddenly or builds up over a few days. Pain that worsens when eating. Swollen, tender abdomen.
The most common symptom of acute pancreatitis is upper abdominal pain. It can range from tolerable to severe. The pain usually occurs in the middle of the body, just under the ribs. But it is sometimes felt on either the left or right side.
The most common symptom of diverticular disease is intermittent (stop-start) pain in your lower abdomen (stomach), usually in the lower left-hand side. The pain is often worse when you are eating, or shortly afterwards.
Upper abdominal pain is the primary symptom of gastritis. The pain may be felt just underneath the breast bone, in the left upper portion of the abdomen and in the back. The pain may also radiate from the front of the abdomen towards the back. Usually, the pain is sharp and sudden.
Left kidney pain may feel like a sharp pain or dull ache on your left side or flank. You may have an upper backache, or the pain can spread to your stomach. Kidney pain can happen for many reasons.
The most common symptom of both acute and chronic pancreatitis is pain in the upper abdominal area, usually under the ribs. This pain: May be mild at first and get worse after eating or drinking. May become constant, severe, and last for several days.
Many conditions — including infections, liver disease and some cancers — can cause an enlarged spleen. An enlarged spleen is also known as splenomegaly (spleh-no-MEG-uh-lee). An enlarged spleen usually doesn't cause symptoms. It's often discovered during a routine physical exam.
Additionally, limiting or cutting out the foods and drinks below can help protect against the development of diseases, including conditions linked to an enlarged spleen: Sugar-sweetened beverages: soda, milkshakes, iced tea, energy drinks. Fast food: french fries, burgers, pizzas, tacos, hot dogs, nuggets.
Infections, such as mononucleosis, are among the most common causes of splenomegaly. Problems with your liver, such as cirrhosisand cystic fibrosis, can also cause an enlarged spleen. Another possible cause of splenomegaly is juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. This condition can cause inflammation of the lymph system.
Some people require immediate surgery. Others heal with rest and time. Many small or moderate-sized injuries to the spleen can heal without surgery. You're likely to stay in the hospital while doctors observe your condition and provide nonsurgical care, such as blood transfusions, if necessary.