What Are The Foods To Avoid With An Enlarged Spleen?


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The issue of an enlarged spleen is increasingly becoming common among people around us. This can be because of the diet we follow and also the lifestyle issues of modern-day human beings. However, in medical terms, this condition can be regarded as splenomegaly. Splenomegaly or an enlarged can be diagnosed in people with a spleen of enlarged size or excessive weight. Apart from lifestyle factors such as a poor diet or excessive drinking, there are also a lot of other reasons that can cause your spleen to cross the normal size and weight. Some kinds of infections and diseases can be considered among them.

However, one of the most important things that you need to know about this particular condition is that it is possible to improve or heal the condition with some of the deliberate and easier changes that you may implement in your diet. Apart from including some of the healthier choices, it is also important that you avoid some of the dietary choices that you might be consuming on a daily basis or more frequently now.

In this article, we will be discussing some of such food items that you need to consider avoiding from your daily diet in order to deal with the issue of an enlarged spleen. This can also help you in effectively controlling and preventing a lot of other diseases and health disorders that are potent to cause you after getting infected with the issues of spleen enlargement. 

Spleen And An Enlarged Spleen; All You Need To Know 

The spleen is one of the most crucial organs in the lymphatic system of the human body. You can locate this organ on the left side of your abdomen, in an upper positioning. This particular organ constitutes fluids, cells, and vessels that are vital in maintaining and performing a lot of functions in the human body.

Some of the major functions performed by this particular organ include maintaining a healthy fluid balance in the body, making the absorption of fats effective, and also supporting the immune response of your body. Blood storage and blood filtration are some of the other functions performed by this particular organ.

Foods To Avoid With An Enlarged Spleen

Apart from that, any possible infections in the human body can also be prevented with the same organ, if it is normal in size and is in a healthy state. It also performs the duty of eliminating the damaged blood cells from the human body. It can also be considered to have serious detoxification effects in the human body, on account of this particular function. 

Splenomegaly is a condition with an enlarged spleen in size or weight. The weight of the spleen of a healthy individual would be between the range of 70-200 grams. If the weight of your spleen is anywhere between 400-500 grams, then it can be diagnosed as a condition of splenomegaly. However, if the medical tests find the weight of your spleen to be anywhere more than 1 kg, it is a more severe condition and can be called by the name, massive splenomegaly in medical terms. 

Splenomegaly Causes

It is important to analyse the various reasons that can cause you the issue an enlarged spleen. If you find any causes, that can be prevented beforehand, make sure that you take the necessary precautions so that it will not make you suffer pain after getting contracted the issue. Some of the major causes have been mentioned below. 

1. Trauma 

If you have undergone any physical traumas lately, you are likely to have the condition of an enlarged spleen. However, if this is the cause of your splenomegaly, it would be easier for you to get the condition diagnosed since you would already be under the consultation of post-trauma healthcare. 

2. Heart Failure 

This is also one such cause for the condition of an enlarged where you would be unable to control the contraction of the issue. However, it is possible to take care of your heart health and overall wellness by following a good diet and workout routine, so that it may also benefit you in preventing splenomegaly and a lot of associated diseases. 

3. Cancers 

If you are a cancer patient or a cancer survivor, you are also more likely to have the issue of an enlarged spleen. However, you need not worry since your oncologist would be cautious enough to examine your body throughout the treatment span, helping you have the treatment for splenomegaly without causing any possible delay. 

4. Excessive drinking 

People who are addicted to alcohol are also more likely to have this condition. However, finally, this is one of the conditions that you can easily control by controlling your obsession with the same and disciplining yourself for the betterment of yourself.

Splenomegaly; Foods To Avoid 

Finally, here are some of the food items that you need to avoid, if you are contracted with the issue of splenomegaly. These food items should be avoided to the maximum even if you have been diagnosed with splenomegaly or not since these are dietary choices that are considered harmful to health, especially when consumed in excess and more frequently. 

  1. Beverages 

Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages with the presence of refined sugar should be avoided at any cost. Try to switch to healthier beverages that are natural and devoid of artificial sweeteners. 

  1. Fast Foods 

Your obsession with fast foods can really worsen the condition of splenomegaly. Hence, it is important that you stay away from such food choices. 

  1. Sweets 

Just like sweetened beverages sweets such as cakes, pastries, candies and chocolates should also be avoided. The artificial sugar in these food items can be quite harmful to your spleen’s health. 

  1. Processed meat 

Processed meat can also be considered quite damaging if you have splenomegaly. Try having fresh meat options that can be way more nutritious. 

These are some of the basic and most important things to keep in mind regarding the issue of an enlarged spleen. The key is to ditch some of the above-mentioned food items and then make a deliberate move to dietary choices that are healthier such as vegetables, whole grains, legumes, animal proteins, and so on. It is also important to get the treatment without making any possible delay. 

Dr. Jun Ren is a dedicated and experienced registered dietitian and nutritionist who is committed to helping people achieve their health goals through personalized nutrition plans. With a passion for promoting healthy eating habits and preventing chronic diseases, Dr. Ren has been able to assist numerous clients in improving their overall quality of life.

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