In the 'Symptoms - Abdominal Pain' section of our in-depth questionnaire we ask the following question about pressure or 'fullness' under lower left rib cage:
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(Enlarged spleen) Have you noticed pressure or 'fullness' under your lower left rib cage, which is painless or slightly tender? Do not answer this question if there is definite pain in this area.
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Your answer |
...indicates |
...and suggests |
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"Don't know / there is definite pain" |
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| 2. |
"No" |
Absence of enlarged spleen |
A symptom |
| 3. |
"Yes, slight pressure" |
Enlarged spleen |
A symptom |
| 4. |
"Yes, definite pressure" |
Enlarged spleen |
A symptom |
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Your answer will affect the likelihoods of the conditions below.
Any answers in green reduce the likelihood of the condition.
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| Answers |
Condition |
Comment |
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3 |
4 |
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Hemolytic Anemia |
Most of the hemolytic anemias can cause an enlarged spleen. |
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3 |
4 |
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Infectious Mononucleosis - Mono |
About 50-75% of people with mononucleosis have some spleen enlargement, usually seen two to three weeks after they first become sick. Whether or not the spleen is enlarged, people who have mono should not lift heavy objects or exercise vigorously - especially participating in contact sports - for two months after they get sick, because these activities increase the risk of rupturing the spleen, which can be life-threatening. If you have mono and get a severe sharp, sudden pain on the left side of your upper abdomen, go to an emergency room immediately. |
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3 |
4 |
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Sarcoidosis |
-- |
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3 |
4 |
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Valley Fever (Coccidioidomycosis) |
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GLOSSARY
Abdomen (Abdominal)
That part of the body between the chest and the hips that contains the stomach, intestines, liver, bladder, pancreas and other organs.
Anemia (Anaemia, Anemias)
A condition resulting from an unusually low number of red blood cells or too little hemoglobin in the red blood cells. The most common type is iron-deficiency anemia in which the red blood cells are reduced in size and number, and hemoglobin levels are low. Clinical symptoms include shortness of breath, lethargy and heart palpitations.
Hemolytic
Promoting the breakdown of red blood cells; a normal process, hectic and skillfully balanced, the term is usually applied to excess conditions or toxic substances that degrade the bonds between healthy red blood cells and their hemoglobin coat or cause the liver and spleen to hypercatabolize otherwise healthy erythrocytes.
Mononucleosis
Infectious Mononucleosis: An acute, infectious disease caused by the herpes virus or Epstein-Barr virus, with fever and inflamed swelling of the lymph nodes around the neck, under the arms, and in the groin. The general symptoms are fever,
sore throat, exhaustion, and abnormal white blood cells.
Spleen (Splenectomy)
The largest organ of the lymphatic system in the body, located between the stomach and the diaphragm (the muscle below the lungs which provides the motion for breathing). It destroys old red blood cells, produces lymphocytes and plasma cells, and stores blood. It also has other as yet unknown functions. A splenectomy is the surgical removal of the spleen.
Last updated: May 10, 2007
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