What are the dangers of an enlarged spleen? How to treat it?

With the continuous improvement of living standards, the number of people suffering from liver cirrhosis is increasing. Patients with cirrhosis should take it seriously and actively cooperate with the doctor's examination and treatment. So what are the symptoms and dangers of splenomegaly?

Symptoms of Splenomegaly

1. Mild splenomegaly: When taking a deep breath, the lower edge of the spleen is 2 to 3 cm below the costal margin, which is mild splenomegaly. It can be seen in certain viral infections, bacterial infections, rickettsial infections, early schistosomiasis, congestive heart failure, portal hypertension due to cirrhosis, Hodgkin's disease, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, tropical eosinophilia, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, etc.

2. Moderate splenomegaly: The lower edge extends 3 cm below the costal margin to the level of the navel, which is moderate enlargement. It can be seen in acute myeloid leukemia, acute lymphocytic leukemia, chronic hemolytic anemia, infectious mononucleosis, vitamin D deficiency, splenic amyloidosis, malignant lymphoma, Niemann-Pick disease, etc.

3. Extreme splenomegaly: When the lower edge extends below the level of the umbilicus, it is called extreme splenomegaly or giant spleen. It can be seen in chronic myeloid leukemia, chronic malaria, late-stage schistosomiasis, banthalamosis, myelofibrosis, polycythemia vera, thalassemia, Gaucher disease, etc.

The dangers of splenomegaly due to liver cirrhosis include:

The first is massive upper gastrointestinal bleeding, which is mostly due to portal hypertension caused by liver cirrhosis and esophageal varices. When stimulated by rough food, chemicals or increased intra-abdominal pressure, the varicose blood vessels are very easy to rupture and cause massive bleeding.

Followed by ascites and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.

Third, hepatic encephalopathy occurs. Hepatic coma and hepatorenal syndrome, renal failure. These complications have a very poor prognosis and are an important cause of death in patients with cirrhosis. Fourth, liver cancer often develops secondary to cirrhosis. Some people currently believe that cirrhosis is a precancerous lesion of liver cancer.

In addition, there are several ways to treat liver cirrhosis:

1. Symptomatic drug treatment: mainly supplement multiple vitamins according to the needs of the disease. Most authors believe that for patients with early-stage liver cirrhosis, blindly and excessive use of medication will increase the liver's burden on drug metabolism. At the same time, unknown or known drug side effects can aggravate damage to the body. Therefore, it is not advisable for patients with early-stage liver cirrhosis to blindly use medication excessively and for a long time. Common treatments for cirrhosis.

2. Treatment targeting the primary disease: Treat cirrhosis based on the specific causes of early cirrhosis. For alcoholic and drug-induced liver disease, drinking alcohol and taking toxic drugs should be stopped.

3. Dietary auxiliary treatment: A mixed diet with high protein, high calories and high vitamins should be given. 1g/kg body weight of protein per day, and fresh vegetables and fruits, etc.