What are the four main functions of the spleen?
What are the four main functions of the spleen?
The four most important normal functions of the spleen are as follows:
- Clearance of microorganisms and particulate antigens from the blood stream.
- Synthesis of immunoglobulin G (IgG), properdin (an essential component of the alternate pathway of complement activation), and tuftsin (an immunostimulatory tetrapeptide)
What is the most important function of the spleen?
Your spleen’s main function is to act as a filter for your blood. It recognizes and removes old, malformed, or damaged red blood cells. When blood flows into your spleen, your spleen performs “quality control”; your red blood cells must pass through a maze of narrow passages.
What is the function and purpose of the spleen?
The spleen has some important functions: it fights invading germs in the blood (the spleen contains infection-fighting white blood cells) it controls the level of blood cells (white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets) it filters the blood and removes any old or damaged red blood cells.
What are two functions of the spleen?
The spleen plays multiple supporting roles in the body. It acts as a filter for blood as part of the immune system. Old red blood cells are recycled in the spleen, and platelets and white blood cells are stored there. The spleen also helps fight certain kinds of bacteria that cause pneumonia and meningitis.
What does a swollen spleen feel like?
A common symptom of an enlarged spleen is a feeling of pain or discomfort in the upper left side of abdomen, where the spleen is located. You might also experience a feeling of fullness after only eating a small amount. This usually happens when the spleen becomes enlarged to the point that it presses on the stomach.
Does the spleen destroy red blood cells?
The spleen is where red blood cells are destroyed. Removing the spleen can reduce how fast red blood cells are destroyed. This is usually used as an option in cases of immune hemolysis that don’t respond to corticosteroids or other immunosuppressants.
What are the dangers of an enlarged spleen?
An enlarged spleen can reduce the number of healthy red blood cells, platelets and white cells in your bloodstream, leading to more frequent infections. Anemia and increased bleeding also are possible. Ruptured spleen. Even healthy spleens are soft and easily damaged, especially in car crashes.
How do you cleanse the spleen?
For Spleen:
- The foremost factor for spleen health is mindful eating.
- Introduce a small amount of protein in your diet.
- Have natural warm food stuff like ginger, black pepper, cardamom, and cinnamon that help clean the spleen and provide antioxidants.
What aggravates the spleen?
Think of the spleen as being powered by heat. Frozen food, icy drinks, cucumber, bitter or winter melon, lettuce and grapefruit deplete the spleen’s “fire”. Foods that are “damp” – such as dairy products, refined sugars and sweets – can also smother the digestive process.
How can I heal my spleen naturally?
In TCM, these foods are said to strengthen the spleen: Beef. Root vegetables. Warm foods….Treatment
- Codonopsis.
- Red ginseng.
- Astragalus.
- Jujube dates.
- Atractylodes rhizome.
- Licorice.
- Chinese yam.
- Pseudostellaria root.
What to avoid if you have an enlarged spleen?
Avoid contact sports — such as soccer, football and hockey — and limit other activities as recommended by your doctor. Modifying your activities can reduce the risk of a ruptured spleen. It’s also important to wear a seat belt.
What are the functions of the spleen in the body?
The spleen plays multiple supporting roles in the body. It acts as a filter for blood as part of the immune system. Old red blood cells are recycled in the spleen, and platelets and white blood cells are stored there.
What happens to red blood cells in the spleen?
It affects the number of red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout your body, and the number of platelets, which are cells that help your blood to clot. It does this by breaking down and removing cells that are abnormal, old, or damaged. The spleen also stores red blood cells, platelets, and infection-fighting white blood cells.
Why is the spleen protected by the rib cage?
Because the spleen is protected by the rib cage, you can’t easily feel it unless it’s abnormally enlarged. The spleen plays multiple supporting roles in the body. It acts as a filter for blood as part of the immune system. Old red blood cells are recycled in the spleen, and platelets and white blood cells are stored there.
What is the function of the spleen in a car crash?
The spleen holds reserve blood in case of significant bleeding, much like a blood-filled balloon, and acts as a reserve source of extra blood. In a trauma situation, particularly a severe car crash where an individual is wearing a seat belt, the force of impact can actually cause the spleen to rupture and begin to hemorrhage blood.
