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The Facts About Enlarged Spleen And Liver

Friday, July 15, 2011

Most individuals have heard of a disorder called enlarged liver. There are probably a lesser number of individuals who understand what an enlarged spleen is. Fewer still probably know about a disorder in which both of these health problems occur at the same time.



An enlarged liver is called hepatomegaly by doctors. Enlarged spleens are referred to as splenomegaly. Enlarged liver and spleen now and then transpire at the same time, in which case the condition is called hepatosplenomegaly. Most people simply call the ailment enlarged liver and spleen disease.

It should be noted, however, that neither an enlarged liver nor an enlarged spleen are regarded as diseases themselves. Instead, they are a symptom of some other malady.

So, why do you get an enlarged liver and spleen? And what's the peril if you have them?

In general, an enlarged liver is the result of an infection. It could also be due to toxins like dangerous drugs, alcohol, or harmful substances in your environment. Often liver enlargement is triggered by some other medical affliction. It may also be due to a metabolic ailment.

An enlarged spleen, on the other hand, occurs because of conditions or diseases that precipitate destruction of red blood cells in the spleen.

Hepatosplenomegaly, the combination of enlarged liver and spleen, is characteristically caused by a disease or condition involving the kidneys, liver or red blood cells. These would include viral infections, such as chronic hepatitis C, cirrhosis, typhoid, kidney and liver infections and blood diseases. If an individual has non-Hodgkin's lymphoma for example, the liver and spleen grow in size as the cancer progresses. This can generate intense suffering in the liver region. A few genetic disorders as sickle cell anemia also cause spleen and liver enlargement.

Enlarged liver and spleen could be troublesome for doctors to identify for the reason that signs and symptoms are not discernible. But there are some clues. The most distinguishable of these is trouble digesting large meals and liver pain. Your may possibly need to undergo certain tests to get a firm diagnosis.

As mentioned above, symptoms of enlarged liver and spleen are more often than not not pronounced, so in many cases, you you won't be aware the enlargement is taking place. Mild pain when you touch or put pressure on the area around the liver may be one of the first distinguishable symptoms.

If you feel such discomfort right now, don't hesitate to talk to your medical care provider about it. Treatment customarily depends on identifying the fundamental cause and will focus on decreasing the swelling. The main goal will be to shrink the swelling and irritation. Antibiotics will be appropriate some of the time, but not all of the time.

You typically do not have to worry about a spleen rupture. But it is not out of the question, and when it occurs, it generally causes a serious blood loss. It can sometimes be life-threatening. For this reason, enlarged liver and spleen should be promptly treated by a medical professional.

Learn more by clicking on enlarged liver and spleen and what is an enlarged liver.

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