The spleen is an important organ in the human body, but people can live without it if there are no treatment options other than removal. However, there are complications of having a damaged or missing spleen that some individuals experience.
A healthy functioning spleen is a vital part of the body’s immune system. It helps in the immune response to various infections that are encountered throughout life by producing infection-fighting antibodies.
The spleen also acts as a blood filter by removing damaged and aging blood cells. With this in mind, what are the complications of a damaged or missing spleen?
Considering that the spleen is a major part of the immune system, having a damaged or missing spleen can impact the body’s ability to fight common infections.
One way that the spleen is affected by damage is that its ability to produce white blood cells is compromised; if the spleen is missing altogether, then the immune system is weakened further still.
Although the liver can compensate to a certain degree, there is a small risk of developing infections that cannot be controlled due to a damaged or missing spleen.
Some of these infections include bacterial infections such as pneumonia, meningitis, and septicaemia, which can be more severe and difficult to treat in individuals without a functioning spleen.
A decreased ability to fight common illnesses is linked to an increased risk of infections. Both are caused by a damaged or missing spleen and the effect this has on the functioning of the immune system.
It doesn’t have to be serious illnesses such as pneumonia, meningitis, and septicaemia that can become problematic. Even common conditions such as flu and colds can be more severe and longer lasting.
Secondary infections can also occur, such as chest infections and sore throats that do not get better over time, resulting in the need for medical intervention with antibiotics and antiviral drugs.
Therefore, those with spleen issues should get flu and other vaccinations when available, especially during the winter months, to increase protection against common infections.
Because the spleen has a direct effect on blood cells, such as platelets, any problems within the spleen or the total absence of this organ can result in the development of blood conditions, including blood clotting disorders.
The spleen plays a role in regulating blood flow and preventing blood clotting by removing abnormal or damaged blood cells from circulation. When this process is compromised, there is a small risk of developing blood clotting disorders, such as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.
Blood clotting disorders can also lead to conditions such as stroke, which can be life-threatening if not promptly diagnosed and treated as a medical emergency.
Another function of a healthy spleen is to produce red blood cells. A damaged or missing spleen can disturb the red blood cell manufacturing and recycling process, leading to the development of anaemia.
Anaemia is caused when not enough red blood cells are produced to carry oxygen around the body to the tissues and organs. Even unhealthy red blood cells can lead to the development of this condition.
Those with anaemia often fail to thrive because of the physical effects associated with this condition. Symptoms of anaemia can include fatigue, weakness, pale skin, and shortness of breath, and treatment with iron supplements or blood transfusions may be required to manage the condition effectively.
However, treatment options are highly dependent on the type of anaemia present and how serious the condition has become.