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Hepatosplenomegaly (HPM) is a condition in which the liver and spleen grow beyond their usual sizes owing to one of several factors.
The term hepatosplenomegaly is derived from the two terms that make it:
- Hepatomegaly: liver edema or enlargement
- Splenomegaly: splenic swelling or enlargement
Not all cases of HPM are severe. Some issues may be resolved with minimal action. However, HPM can be a sign of a more serious issue, such as a lysosomal storage disease or cancer.
The Liver and Spleen's Functions
The liver performs a number of functions, including blood detoxification, protein synthesis, and infection defense. It also plays an important role in the production of amino acids and bile salts.
Your body need iron to form red blood cells, which your liver processes and stores. The most well-known function of the liver is the processing of waste stuff in your body, which is ultimately expelled.
The spleen is one of your body's organs that most people are unfamiliar with. The spleen plays an important role in your immune system. It aids in the identification of pathogens, which include bacteria, viruses, or microbes that can cause disease. It then produces antibodies to combat them.
Your spleen also cleanses the blood and is composed of red and white pulp required for the production and purification of blood cells.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF HEPATOSPLENOMEGALY?
Hepatosplenomegaly patients may have one or more of the following symptoms:
- Fatigue
- Pain
Other potentially serious symptoms include:
- Stomach discomfort in the upper right quadrant
- Tenderness in the right upper abdomen
- Jaundice, characterized by yellow eyes and skin
- Brown urine
- Clay-colored stool
- Vomiting and nausea
- Abdominal swelling
- Fever
- Itching that doesn't stop
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES AND RISK FACTORS FOR HEPATOSPLENOMEGALY?
Risk factors for hepatomegaly include:
- Obesity
- Addiction to booze
- Diabetes
- High cholesterol levels
- Cancer of the liver
- Hepatitis
Hepatomegaly causes splenomegaly around 30% of the time. There are several possible reasons of liver disease:
Infections
- Acute viral hepatitis
- The Epstein-Barr virus, which causes infectious mononucleosis, widely known as glandular fever or "kissing illness."
- Cytomegalovirus, which is a herpes virus-related illness.
- Brucellosis, which is caused by a virus that is spread by contaminated food or contact with an infected animal.
- Malaria, which is a mosquito-borne sickness that can be fatal.
- Leishmaniasis, which is a parasitic disease carried by the bite of a sand fly that is caused by the parasite Leishmania.
- Schistosomiasis, which is a parasitic worm infection of the urinary system or intestines.
- Septicemic plague, which is a potentially fatal illness produced by Yersinia pestis.
Hematological diseases
- Myeloproliferative diseases, which are conditions in which the bone marrow develops an abnormally large number of cells.
- Sickle cell anemia, which is a congenital blood condition in which hemoglobin cells are unable to transmit oxygen.
- Thalassemia, which is a hereditary blood condition characterized by improper hemoglobin formation.
- leukemia, or bone marrow cancer
- Lymphoma, which is a blood cell malignancy that begins in lymphatic cells.
- Myelofibrosis, which is a rare bone marrow malignancy.
Metabolic disorders
- Niemann-Pick disease, which is a severe metabolic illness characterized by cellular fat buildup.
- Gaucher's disease, which is a hereditary disorder that causes fat buildup in many organs and tissues.
- Hurler syndrome, which is a hereditary condition that increases the chance of premature mortality due to organ damage.
Other conditions
- Chronic liver illness, which includes chronic active hepatitis amyloidosis, a rare, aberrant buildup of folded proteins
- Multiple sulfatase insufficiency, which is an uncommon enzyme defect.
- Osteopetrosis, which is an uncommon hereditary condition characterized by tougher and denser bones than usual.
- The most frequent type of the autoimmune illness lupus is systemic lupus erythematosus.
- Sarcoidosis, which is a disorder in which inflammatory cells are seen in several organs.
- Trypanosomiasis, which is a parasite illness spread by the bite of an infected fly.
Among children
The following are some of the most common causes of hepatosplenomegaly in children:
- Newborns: Thalassemia and storage diseases
- Infants: The liver is unable to digest glucocerebroside, which can result in serious central nervous system damage.
- Older children: Enteric fever, kala azar, sepsis, and malaria
WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS OF HEPATOSPLENOMEGALY?
The following are the most prevalent hepatosplenomegaly complications:
- Bleeding
- Stool with blood
- Blood in vomit
- Failure of the liver
- Encephalopathy
HOW IS HEPATOSPLENOMEGALY DIAGNOSED?
A variety of tests may be ordered by your doctor to assist make a definitive diagnosis of hepatosplenomegaly. They are as follows:
- An ultrasound, which is usually recommended after a physical check reveals an abdominal mass
- A CT scan, which can identify an enlarged liver or spleen as well as other organs in the surrounding area
- An MRI scan to confirm the diagnosis following a physical examination
- Blood tests, including a liver function and coagulation test
WHAT ARE THE TREATMENTS FOR HEPATOSPLENOMEGALY?
Treatment for hepatosplenomegaly varies based on the source of the ailment.
As a result, the best course of action for you is to consult with your doctor regarding your diagnosis and treatment recommendations.
They could suggest:
- Changing your lifestyle in consultation with your doctor: Your overall goals should be to quit drinking or, at the very least, cut your alcohol consumption as much as possible; to exercise as frequently as you are able; and to eat a nutritious diet. Here are some pointers to help you keep to a healthy diet.
- Cancer therapies: When cancer is the underlying reason, you will require appropriate therapies such as chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery to remove the tumor.
- Liver transplant: If your condition is severe, such as being in the last stages of cirrhosis, a liver transplant may be required.
- Rest, water, and medicine are recommended: Some less severe illnesses that cause hepatosplenomegaly can be treated easily with proper drugs and relaxation while avoiding dehydration. If you have an infectious disease, your therapy will consist of two parts: medicine to relieve symptoms and medication to eradicate the infectious microbe.
CONCLUSION
Hepatosplenomegaly has no one cause and hence no single consequence. Your position is determined by a number of circumstances, including the origin, the severity, and the therapy you receive.
The sooner HPM is identified and treated, the better. If you detect any strange symptoms or feel something is amiss, see your doctor.