Your Spleen: What It Is, What It Does, and When to See a Doctor

What is the spleen?

The spleen is a fist-sized organ located on the left side of your abdomen, just below your rib cage. It is part of your lymphatic system and plays a role in filtering your blood, storing red blood cells, and producing white blood cells.

What does the spleen do?

The spleen has many important functions, including:

• Filtering your blood: The spleen removes old or damaged red blood cells, as well as bacteria and other foreign particles, from your blood.
• Storing red blood cells: The spleen stores red blood cells, which are released into your bloodstream when you need them.
• Producing white blood cells: The spleen produces white blood cells, which help your body fight infection.

When should you see a doctor?

You should see a doctor if you have any of the following symptoms, which may be a sign of a spleen problem:

• Abdominal pain
• Swelling in your abdomen
• Easy bruising or bleeding
• Fatigue
• Weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting

Conclusion

The spleen is an important organ that plays a vital role in your health. If you have any of the symptoms of a spleen problem, it is important to see a doctor right away.

Additional Information

For more information on the spleen, please visit the following websites:

• Johns Hopkins Medicine
• Mayo Clinic
• WebMD