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Are you prone to a problem with 'Enlarged Spleen'?
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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.
HELPFUL TIPS
supportive recipes*
Food is medicine, and well-designed recipes function as gentle herbal formulas.
The recipes below highlight biocharacteristics and ingredients that may support Enlarged Spleen
from a Classical Metabolic Theory perspective*.
Because every person is unique, certain recipes may support your body more effectively than others.
Choose according to your constitution.
Suggestions are not strict, reflecting the real world need for variety and balance in diet.
As always, please consult your medical doctor before making any changes to your diet or wellness plan.
Augment your diet with these specially chosen ingredients below which may be useful for 'Enlarged Spleen'.
Individual results vary depending on 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.
An herb that strengthens spleen function by improving strength of the blood. Spleen tonics Builds agni, brighten the person's appearances & firms up tissues.
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.
Herbs or spices with volatile essential oils that present strong aromas. Aromatic oils shock, refresh and numb tissue, with the end result of relaxing, opening and clearing stagnant fluids in tissues.
The term "bland taste" refers, in Chinese medicine, to food containing few macronutrients, such as cabbage, radish or bok choy. These may be compared to negative calorie foods.
An herb that strengthens spleen function by improving strength of the blood. Spleen tonics Builds agni, brighten the person's appearances & firms up tissues.
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.
Herbs or spices with volatile essential oils that present strong aromas. Aromatic oils shock, refresh and numb tissue, with the end result of relaxing, opening and clearing stagnant fluids in tissues.
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.
An herb that strengthens spleen function by improving strength of the blood. Spleen tonics Builds agni, brighten the person's appearances & firms up tissues.
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.
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)
AVOID DIETS, LIFESTYLES & HERBS THAT AGGRAVATE THESE BIOCHARACTERISTICS
According to Personalized Medicine Systems (Ayurveda and Greek medicine), aggravation of any of these
body types
and biocharacteristics may lead to 'Enlarged Spleen'.
Reduce the foods and lifestyle habits that aggravate these qualities (when dystempered).
Click on the biocharacteristic to learn what foods and
lifestyle habits should be reduced.
Symptoms Tell A Story
The first step to healing is learning patterns from your symptoms.
Symptoms are clues that reveal underlying imbalances.
Symptoms show you where your body is weakened.
Ultimately, all disease has a root in tissues too weak to defend itself.
Ayurveda describes these patterns of weakness using doshas & biocharacteristics.
If you notice a biocharacteristic or dosha appears next to many of your symptoms,
it helps you establish a pattern that may be systemic.
Are you prone to a problem with 'Enlarged Spleen'?
Find your imbalances and create a diet for your Blood and Circulation by taking the
free blood and circulation quiz:
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.
Risk Factor: 420% more often Complication: +5.4 times as often
Please login or create a free account to see statistics filtered on Enlarged Spleen and Pancreatitis.
Biocharacteristics of 328 People Reporting Enlarged Spleen
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
average deviation in biocharacteristic levels were the following:
Please login or create a free account to see statistics filtered on Enlarged Spleen and Astringent.
2.4% avg client level
13.1% (43) of cases
8,068 have Astringent constitution
Risk Factors of Enlarged Spleen
Below you will see general risk factors as well as the greatest risk factors, i.e. those who were also more likely to report Enlarged Spleen.
Overall, 0.88% of people surveyed reported Enlarged Spleen.
Please login or create a free account to see statistics filtered on Enlarged Spleen and Unable to exercise due to Injury, disease, breathlessness, etc.
Please login or create a free account to see statistics filtered on Enlarged Spleen and B12 Deficiency.
94 cases with both
+2.3 times more likely
29% of cases
12.66% (4,649 cases)
DISCOVER YOUR BODY WITH YOUR FREE INDIVIDUALIZED BODY MAP
Find ideal foods, herbs and lifestyle tips.
See your imbalances, and locate intervention points.
Your body map contains a complete analysis of your Ayurvedic imbalances, organ by organ.
Give your chart to your functional medical doctor or any alternative health practitioner.
Ayurveda strengthens the body while opposing disorders. It takes a holistic,
systemic approach that looks at the whole body. Ayurveda
shows how to interpret signs and symptoms of imbalance, and how to address them
using diet, lifestyle adjustments, and herbs. It shows a person how to optimize their health on a continual basis. You can't
take the doctor home with you, but you can take Ayurveda home with you.
Ayurveda is the most advanced and easy to use home system for self healing.
HOW DOES AYURVEDA WORK?
Ayurveda starts by identifying your body type,
which identifies certain tendencies in your body to get sick (as well as identifying your strengths).
It uses body type to determine the likely root causes of your disorders.
Next, Ayurveda analyzes the nature of your disorder.
It fits all your signs and symptoms into a pattern, expressed as a combination of biocharacteristics (gunas).
For example, you may have a heat disorder, a cold disorder, or an oily disorder, etc.
This simple categorical approach shows you how to correct systemic imbalances and strengthen your body as a whole.
On Joyful Belly, we've created an extensive categorization of food so you can easily match food to your imbalanced biocharacteristics.
By eating an optimal diet that balances your biocharacteristics, your whole body is strengthened
and the conditions that created the disorder are removed. Once the root causes of the disease
are removed, the disease lessens in strength or disappears altogether. Additional remedies -
such as herbs and lifestyle practices - focused on the specific disorder, can greatly enhance
your healing.
GET STARTED
To get started on your Ayurvedic journey, we first recommend that your find your body
type by taking our free quiz. In Ayurveda, every solution is based on your unique body type, so
by taking this quiz, you’ll get the best results.
5 WAYS TO HEAL YOUR BODY WITH AYURVEDA - FREE REPORT!
New to Ayurveda? Not sure how Ayurveda can help you?
This free report shows you 5 simple ways you can heal your body with Ayurveda.
It shows you simple, practical ways manage your health.
John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, offers
professional clinical training
in personalized diet, lifestyle and herbs through Classical Metabolic Theory (Ayurveda & Greek Medicine).
His approach is clinical, yet exudes an ease which many find enjoyable and insightful.
John's hobbies & specialties include advanced digestive disorders,
classical Christian philosophy for mental wellness, languages (French, Arabic, Bengali), cooking & botany.
He holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University.
John, his wife Natalie, and their 8 kids live in Asheville, NC.
Founder of Joyful Belly Ayurveda, John Immel, answers the question ‘What is Ayurveda?’
Comments & Questions
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* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
The information and products on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any
disease.
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Ayurvedic Perspective on Enlarged Spleen
Related Symptoms
Stage of Imbalance (Samprapti)
Live Report: Biocharacteristics
Diet Remedies by Dosha, Biocharacteristics, Action, etc.
Live Report: Risk Factors
Herb Remedies by Dosha, Guna, Action, etc.
Live Report: Complications
Biocharacteristics to Avoid
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