The spleen has two main functions in the body. The first is to filter the blood by removing microbes as well as dead or damaged red blood cells. The spleen also produces white blood cells for the immune system. Ayurveda considers the spleen (along with the liver) to be the root of the blood carrying channel in the body called rakta vaha srotas. In utero, the spleen and liver work together to produce red blood cells. Once a baby is born, the bone marrow takes over.

A person with an enlarged spleen may feel pain or fullness in the left upper abdomen. Sometimes this pain may spread to the left shoulder. A sore left shoulder could be due to other causes as well - so don't assume your sore left shoulder means your spleen is enlarged! Splenomegaly often presents no signs or symptoms. Other symptoms include pressure on the stomach from the spleen causing a person to feel full after eating a small amount of food or even without having eaten. An enlarged spleen may also cause hiccuping, frequent infections and fatigue.

From a Western perspective, there are many different causes for an enlarged spleen. The spleen often becomes enlarged when it works extra hard at its normal functions. This condition of a hyperactive spleen is called hypersplenism. It is usually connected to diseases where there are too many abnormal or dead red blood cells that must be filtered by the spleen, or from cleanup of various blood components from white blood cells and platelets to immune system by products. The spleen is overworked from removing these blood components

. People with hemolytic anemias like thalassemia or sickle cell anemia may have an enlarged spleen because their red blood cells die quickly, within 30 days instead of the normal 120 days. This type of splenomegaly would be considered a Pitta type because Pitta governs the blood (Rakta Vaha Srotas). In the case of hemolytic anemias the rough (khara guna) and sharp quality (tikshna guna) is imbalanced which kills the red blood cells in order to protect the body from malaria infection. The main element of red blood cells are fire. The quick breakdown of red blood cells increases fire element in the body and the product of irritating bile.

The spleen may be overworked because of an increased immune response as in systemic viral, bacterial or parasitic infections or diseases of the lymph. This would be a Kapha type of hypersplenism because of the congestion that results. The process of filtering blood borne pathogens can result in abscess formation when disease fighting white blood cells become engorged with materials the body can't digest. These giant toxin filled cells accumulate in the spleen as it purifies the blood. Due to the toxicity, abscess formation will also involve the hot quality of Pitta dosha as well as the fire element.

As recognized by Ayurveda, the spleen and liver have an intimate relationship in ensuring healthy blood. Hypersplenism often occurs with disorders of the liver. It can be related to portal hypertension - high blood pressure in the veins carrying blood from the digestive tract to the liver. The pressure from this can lead to severe bleeding in the GI tract and ultimately anemia. Excessive filtering of platelets causes thrombocytopenia, a deficiency of platelets in the blood which causes bleeding into the tissues, bruising, and slow blood clotting after injury. It is the most common cause of hypersplenism and may contribute to portal hypertension related bleeding. It is common for the spleen to become enlarged with liver disease. Liver disease causes abnormalities in blood coagulation and this can cause a person to bleed easily after only a minor injury.

Splenomegaly could also occur when there's a condition causing overproduction of blood cells to grow in the bone marrow. This is a Kapha type condition of excess. The gross and dense qualities are imbalanced as is the earth element. The bone marrow involves both Ranjaka Pitta (in its blood making capacity), Rakta Vaha Srotas (which governs red blood cells) and Majja Vaha Srotas (which governs the nerves and the bone marrow in Ayurveda).

Congestive splenomegaly develops when blood coagulates in the splenic vein, hepatic portal vein which goes from the GI tract to the liver, or in the veins around the heart as in congestive heart failure. This is a Kapha type of splenomegaly due to stagnation. The heavy, slow, gross and cloudy qualities of Kapha are out of balance as are the water and earth elements. This is excess Kapha in Avalambaka Kapha and Vyana Vayu (circulation).

Trauma - as in the case of a sports injury or car accident - can cause spleen enlargement. Trauma always involves Vata dosha via the cold, light and mobile qualities which cause sudden change and ungrounding. Cancer, and other medical conditions can also cause splenomegaly.

Splenomegaly is a serious condition and should be checked by a medical doctor. Splenomegaly is usually caused by an underlying condition. Because splenomegaly mainly involves Pitta and Kapha via their hot, dense, gross and static qualities, favor cooling and cleansing dietary and herbal protocols. Bitter taste is going to be very useful here as it pacifies both doshas. Bitter reduces congestion in the spleen, as bitter taste reduces stagnation and cleanses the liver, directly reducing pressure in the spleen / liver system. Bitter also thins the blood by reducing sugar levels in the blood. Bitter lightens and dries things out to placate enlargement. Aloe, neem, turmeric and pomegranate are all bitter as are bitter greens like dandelion and arugula. Diuretic herbs may be useful where Kapha is congested. A client who has splenomegaly may be anemic or have other blood deficiencies. These should be address with tonics and doshically appropriate food.

Disclaimer: 'Enlarged Spleen' could be serious and should be checked by a medical doctor.

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Augment your diet with these specially chosen ingredients below which may be useful for 'Enlarged Spleen'. Individual results vary depending the cause of your imbalance and by constitution. Please research the ingredients below to find which are most helpful for you, and check with your doctor before making any changes to your health and wellness routine. Please check with your medical doctor before making any changes to your health & wellness routine, and for the proper use of these products.

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DISCLAIMER: The pathogenesis of each person's condition is unique, and so the diet must be fit to the individual and the unique root causes of the condition in your body. The information on this page is for educational purposes only and should not be used to treat a medical condition. It is not a substitute for medical care. Please check with your doctor before making any changes to your health and wellness routine.

Digestion:

Spleen Tonic

SPLEEN-TONIC

An herb that strengthens spleen function by improving strength of the blood. Spleen tonics Builds agni, brighten the person's appearances & firms up tissues.

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Cleanse & Detox:

Internal Detoxicant

INTERNAL-DETOXICANT

Liquefies, dissolves, decongests or dislodges internal stagnant toxins. Decongests the lymphatic system.

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Immune System:

Anti Inflammatory

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

Reduces inflammation in the body. Different herbs and carriers target different body systems.

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,

Antibacterial

ANTIBACTERIAL

Herbs that kill bacteria or slow their growth.

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,

Antiviral

ANTIVIRAL

Herbs that inhibit the development of viral infections. Antivirals also can be found in essential oils of some herbs, such as eucalyptus oil.

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,

Immune Stimulant

IMMUNE-STIMULANT

Stimulates and strengthens the immune system. Helpful when fighting off a cold or flu.

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Heart & Circulation:

Blood Tonic

BLOOD-TONIC

An herb that produces more blood cells in the body, or otherwise improves blood cell quality or hemoglobin content. Helpful for anemia and other types of deficiency.

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HOW TO ADDRESS ISSUES IN STAGE OF DISEASE #3

ENLARGED SPLEEN IS IN STAGE OF DISEASE #3 - ATTACKING TISSUE

If you have symptoms in this category it means that your imbalances are becoming stronger and weakening your body's resistance. Most people have a weakness in one or more organs. These areas of weakness are the 'weak link in the chain.' They are first to succumb when an imbalance reaches a tipping point. Repairing imbalances in this category often represent your last opportunity to prevent disease. At any moment, these imbalances could overwhelm weakened tissue and develop into a disease. You may feel pain or discomfort in the weakened area. At this stage you will need to support the weakened tissue with specialized foods and herbs for the weakened tissue. (See all disease stages on JB)

GET MY FREE AYURVEDA BODY MAP According to Ayurveda, one or more of the following doshas and biocharacteristics may aggravate 'Enlarged Spleen'. If you have an excess of one of these doshas or biocharacteristics below, Ayurveda recommends reducing foods and lifestyle habits that aggravate them. Click on the biocharacteristic to learn what foods and lifestyle habits should be reduced.

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The following symptoms & habits may be related to 'Enlarged Spleen'. See your quiz results for a computerized assessment of your body type. Please click on the symptoms below to learn more about them. On average the biocharacteristics of people reporting Enlarged Spleen were more aggravated than 99% of other symptoms. From the 328 people who reported Enlarged Spleen in this research study of 74,671 individuals, average deviation in biocharacteristic levels were the following:

Risk Factors of Enlarged Spleen

Complications of Those Reporting Enlarged Spleen

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