Can I Run With An Enlarged Spleen?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Can I run with an enlarged spleen? An enlarged spleen can be serious, and

your doctor should give you the okay before you start any exercise program

.

Can running rupture an enlarged spleen?

A forceful blow to your abdomen — during a sporting accident, a fistfight or a car crash, for example — is the usual cause of a ruptured spleen.

If you have an enlarged spleen, a less forceful trauma might cause rupture

.

Does running hurt your spleen?

The most common theory is that

the increased blood flow in the liver and spleen during intense cardio movement causes the pain on the sides of the abdomen

. Another theory suggests that pain is caused by internal organs while pulling down the diaphragm.

What can you not do with an enlarged spleen?

Additionally,

limiting or cutting out the foods and drinks

below can help protect against the development of diseases, including conditions linked to an enlarged spleen: Sugar-sweetened beverages: soda, milkshakes, iced tea, energy drinks. Fast food: french fries, burgers, pizzas, tacos, hot dogs, nuggets.

Can exercise rupture a spleen?

In many mono patients, the spleen—a large blood-filtering gland located in the upper-left part of your abdomen—becomes enlarged.

Participating in contact sports or simply moving around too much can put you at risk for a ruptured spleen

, a rare but possible complication of mono.

Should I exercise with an enlarged spleen?

Doctor’s response. Check with your doctor before you do any of these exercises. An enlarged spleen can be serious, and

your doctor should give you the okay before you start any exercise program

. “Core” exercises have been the buzzword for some time.

Can you play sports with an enlarged spleen?

Children with mono and an enlarged spleen, which can rupture, are supposed to “

avoid all sports

” according to the AAP.

How do I stop my spleen from hurting when I run?

  1. Don’t run on a full stomach. You shouldn’t drink large amounts of water or eat 2-4 hours before exercise. …
  2. Decrease pace and breathe deeply. …
  3. Pre-stretch with side torso twists. …
  4. Perform lower back and abdominal exercises.

How do you shrink an enlarged spleen?

Some drugs can shrink an enlarged spleen. Your doctor might try

chemotherapy, immunomodulators, and a drug called ruxolitinib (Jakafi)

. Radiation might help, too. However, you may need surgery to remove an enlarged spleen.

Can I lift weights with enlarged spleen?

If your spleen is enlarged,

avoid heavy lifting

and any kind of jarring activity or contact sport until your spleen returns to a normal size. Return to normal activities slowly.

Can an enlarged spleen go back to normal size?

What Is the Prognosis for Enlarged Spleen? Depending upon the cause,

the enlarged spleen may return to normal size and function when the underlying disease is treated or resolved

. Commonly, in infectious mononucleosis, the spleen returns to normal as the infection gets better.

How can I heal my spleen naturally?

  1. Anti-inflammatory diet. To get relief from enlarged spleen, you need to find out ways to control your diet and help to reduce inflammation. …
  2. Do stress buster activities. …
  3. Use of Essential Oils. …
  4. Exercise to improve digestion. …
  5. Maintain a healthy routine.

How can I strengthen my spleen?

  1. Meat: poultry, lamb, beef, venison.
  2. Fish: trout, salmon, tuna, shellfish.
  3. Fruit: apples, apricots, dates, figs, sweet cherries, peach, plums, red grapes, dried fruit such as raisins.
  4. Veggies: cabbage, pumpkin, carrot, sweet potato.
  5. Grains: amaranth, oats, millet, polenta, rice.

How long does it take for an enlarged spleen to heal?

Generally, recovery from a ruptured spleen can take anywhere from

3 to 12 weeks

, depending on the severity and treatment. To promote healing, rest is encouraged, along with refraining from high-impact exercise, strenuous activities, and heavy lifting until physician approval.

How long does a spleen stay enlarged?

Peak splenic enlargement was typically seen within 2 weeks but, in some, extended to 3.5 weeks. For the majority, splenomegaly resolved in

4 to 6 weeks

.

What does a damaged spleen feel like?

Spleen pain is usually felt as

a pain behind your left ribs

. It may be tender when you touch the area. This can be a sign of a damaged, ruptured or enlarged spleen.

In what sport is the spleen most often injured?

A ruptured spleen is most often from a direct blow to the abdomen which means there is always a risk for this to occur with contact sports such as

football and soccer

.

Why my left side hurts when I run?


When you take short, shallow breaths, your muscles may not receive enough oxygen and become fatigued more easily during a run, leading to cramps associated with a side stitch

.

Why does the left side of my stomach hurt when I run?

When running, there is

increased abdominal pressure pushing up on the diaphragm

. At the same time, rapid breathing can cause the lungs to press down on the diaphragm, a muscle that if “pinched” from above and below, gets less blood flow and spasms, resulting in painful side stitches.

How do you check your spleen at home?

Palpation for splenic enlargement should begin with the patient supine and with knees flexed.

Using the right hand, the examiner should begin well below the left costal margin and feel gently but firmly for the splenic edge by pushing down, then cephalad, then releasing

(Figure 150.1).

Is coffee good for the spleen?


When drinking coffee it has the ability to regulate the liver and spleen to help harmonize digestion

. However, if you suffer from a weak spleen (or poor digestion), it can often cause gastrointestinal discomfort. Additionally, drinking too much coffee will agitate the liver qi further.

Does not having a spleen shorten your life?

​Your spleen is important for your body’s defence against germs,

when your spleen is removed or doesn’t work properly you are at higher risk of infection

. This is very important as, although these infections do not happen very often, they can be life-threatening.

What does swollen spleen feel like?

An enlarged spleen typically causes no signs or symptoms, but sometimes it causes:

Pain or fullness in the left upper belly that can spread to the left shoulder

. A feeling of fullness without eating or after eating a small amount because the spleen is pressing on your stomach. Low red blood cells (anemia)

How do you sleep with an enlarged spleen?

If you suffer from an enlarged spleen, you will want to

sleep on your left side

. If you sleep on your right side, there will be more pressure put on the abdomen, which will make it more challenging for this blood-purifying organ to do its essential job of filtering out waste.

Does alcohol damage the spleen?

Abstract. Severe hyposplenism has been recently documented in alcoholic liver disease, and it has been suggested that alcohol itself is important in the derangement of splenic function, despite

a lack of evidence of a direct toxic effect of alcohol on the spleen

.

Can anxiety cause an enlarged spleen?



Stress appears to prompt the release of stem cells from the bone marrow to the spleen, where they develop into white blood cells, or monocytes, and expand over time

,” Godbout said.

Is an enlarged spleen serious?


Left untreated, an enlarged spleen can lead to serious complications

. In most cases, treatment of the underlying cause of the enlarged spleen can prevent removal of the spleen. In some cases, the spleen will need to be removed surgically (splenectomy).

What foods help an enlarged spleen?


Cooked Vegetables

You can easily digest properly cooked vegetables even with an enlarged spleen. Such vegetables are parsnip, pumpkin, turnip, winter squash, and carrot. You can also consume legumes like peas, black beans, and garbanzo to your diet.

Does drinking water help enlarged spleen?

How do you flush your spleen?

  1. Eat warm, cooked meals: Food that is warm and cooked decreases the work of the digestion system, which must warm up food and break it down. …
  2. Avoid raw, cold foods, which are more difficult to digest.

Can a damaged spleen heal?

Treatment for a ruptured spleen will depend on the severity of your condition. Some people require immediate surgery. Others heal with rest and time.

Many small or moderate-sized injuries to the spleen can heal without surgery

.

How will I know if my spleen ruptures?

Why does my spleen hurt after running?

Basically, your stomach and other organs — like the spleen and liver —

bump into each other as your feet jar the ground, causing connective tissue to stretch on the nerves and cause pain

. This connective tissue also is attached to your diaphragm, which helps with breathing.

What does a ruptured spleen feel like?

Symptoms of a ruptured spleen can include

left-side abdominal pain, referred left shoulder pain, lightheadedness, confusion, dizziness, and blurred vision

. Some individuals may also experience hemorrhagic shock as a result of massive blood loss. A ruptured spleen can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.

How do you get a ruptured spleen?

The spleen can rupture

when the abdomen suffers a severe direct blow or blunt trauma

. The spleen is the most frequent organ to be damaged in blunt trauma injuries involving the abdomen. That’s true regardless of your age.

James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.