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why does my spleen hurt

Spleen pain is a warning sign, not something to self-diagnose or ignore, because it can be linked to internal bleeding, serious infections, or blood and liver diseases.

Quick Scoop: What “spleen pain” usually means

When people say “my spleen hurts,” they’re usually feeling:

  • Pain or fullness in the upper left abdomen , just under the ribs.
  • Pain that can spread to the left shoulder (called Kehr’s sign), especially if there is irritation inside the abdomen.
  • Discomfort that may get worse when you take a deep breath, cough, or press on the area.

You cannot reliably tell on your own whether this is actually the spleen, muscles, stomach, ribs, or colon, which is why medical evaluation is important.

Common causes (from “urgent” to “still serious”)

1. Ruptured or injured spleen – emergency

This is one of the most dangerous causes.

  • Often follows a blow to the left side , car accident, sports injury, fight, or a broken rib.
  • Symptoms can include:
    • Sudden, sharp upper left abdominal pain.
* Pain that worsens with touch or movement.

* Dizziness, weakness, looking pale, rapid heartbeat, or fainting (signs of internal bleeding).

👉 If you’ve had trauma and now have strong pain in your spleen area, especially with dizziness or feeling like you might pass out, this is an emergency. Call emergency services or go to the ER immediately.

2. Enlarged spleen (splenomegaly)

The spleen can swell due to problems with blood cells, infections, or liver issues.

Possible causes include:

  • Infections :
    • Mononucleosis (“mono”), malaria, HIV, cytomegalovirus, tuberculosis, viral hepatitis.
  • Blood disorders :
    • Hemolytic anemia, thalassemia, sickle cell-related issues, myelofibrosis, other disorders where blood cells are broken down or produced abnormally.
  • Cancers :
    • Lymphomas (like Hodgkin’s), leukemias, and other cancers affecting blood or immune cells.
  • Autoimmune and connective‑tissue diseases :
    • Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis.
  • Liver and circulation problems :
    • Cirrhosis, portal vein hypertension, blood clots in veins going to the liver or spleen, congestive heart failure.

Typical clues:

  • A feeling of fullness or discomfort in the upper left abdomen.
  • Getting full very quickly when eating, because an enlarged spleen presses on the stomach.
  • Fatigue, frequent infections, easy bruising or bleeding, or anemia symptoms if blood cells are affected.

3. Liver problems affecting the spleen

The spleen and liver are connected through the blood system, so liver issues often enlarge the spleen and cause pain.

Conditions include:

  • Cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis.
  • Portal hypertension (high pressure in the main vein entering the liver).
  • Blood clots or pressure in veins that drain the spleen and liver.

You might also notice:

  • Swollen belly, yellowing of the skin or eyes, leg swelling, or easy bruising.

4. Blood cancers and infiltrative diseases

Sometimes the spleen hurts because it is packed with abnormal cells.

These can include:

  • Lymphoma and leukemia.
  • Other cancers that spread (metastasize) to the spleen.
  • Rare metabolic or storage diseases, like Gaucher disease or Niemann‑Pick disease.

Red flags here are more chronic:

  • Persistent fatigue, weight loss, night sweats, frequent infections, enlarged lymph nodes, or abnormal blood counts.

5. Less direct spleen‑related issues

Sometimes the spleen area hurts but the cause is nearby:

  • Muscle strain or rib issues from coughing, lifting, or exercise.
  • Stomach, colon, or pancreatic problems that refer pain to the upper left abdomen.
  • Nonfunctioning spleen (hyposplenia) may make you more prone to infections, which can cause inflammation and discomfort around that region.

These can still need medical attention, but are not always emergencies.

What doctors usually do about spleen pain

Because spleen pain can be a sign of serious disease, doctors typically move fairly quickly.

They may:

  • Ask detailed questions about:
    • When the pain started, its intensity, what makes it better or worse.
    • Recent injuries, travel (e.g., malaria risk), infections, weight loss, night sweats, alcohol use, medications.
  • Examine your abdomen and ribs, checking for:
    • Enlargement of the spleen, tenderness, guarding, signs of internal bleeding.
  • Order tests:
    • Blood tests (blood counts, liver tests, infection markers).
* **Ultrasound or CT scan** of the abdomen to look at the spleen and surrounding organs.

Treatment focuses on the underlying cause :

  • Antibiotics or antivirals for infections when indicated.
  • Treating liver disease or blood disorders where possible.
  • Close monitoring for some enlarged spleens.
  • Surgery to remove the spleen is usually a last resort , reserved for severe pain, rupture, or certain cancers or blood diseases.

When spleen pain is an emergency vs. when to book an appointment

Use this as a rough guide only—it cannot replace seeing a real clinician.

Call emergency services or go to the ER now if you have spleen-area

pain and :

  • Recent trauma (car crash, fall, punch, sports impact) to the left side.
  • Sudden, severe, or worsening upper left abdominal pain.
  • Dizziness, fainting, very fast heartbeat, shortness of breath, or looking/feeling extremely weak or pale.
  • Pain that is so intense you cannot stand up straight or move comfortably.

These can be signs of a ruptured spleen or serious internal bleeding.

Arrange urgent (same‑day or next‑day) medical care if:

  • The pain has been present for days or weeks , even if mild, and especially if:
    • You feel tired all the time.
    • You have fevers, chills, or repeated infections.
    • You lose weight without trying or have night sweats.
    • You notice yellow skin/eyes or a swollen belly.

Seek routine evaluation soon if:

  • The pain is mild and comes and goes, and you cannot clearly link it to a muscle strain or simple indigestion.
  • You’re worried enough to be searching “why does my spleen hurt” (your worry itself is a sign to get checked).

Mini “reality check” if you’re reading forums

People do talk about spleen pain on health forums and Q&A sites, often describing:

  • “Ache under my left ribs” that lasted weeks and ended up being mono, an enlarged spleen, or just a muscle issue.
  • Long symptom stories with no diagnosis yet, which can make things feel scarier than they really are.

But:

No forum, AI, or blog can examine your abdomen, feel for an enlarged spleen, or check for internal bleeding.

Online information is useful to prompt you to seek care, not to reassure you to stay home when symptoms might be dangerous.

Simple steps you can take right now

These do not replace medical care, but may help you think more clearly:

  1. Check your situation honestly

    • Any recent impact or accident?
    • Are you dizzy, faint, or breathing fast?
    • Is the pain sharp and worsening?
      If yes to any of these, go to urgent care or the ER.

  2. Avoid making it worse

    • Do not lift heavy objects or do contact sports.
    • Avoid alcohol until a doctor evaluates your liver and spleen.
  1. Write down your symptoms
    • When the pain started, what it feels like, associated symptoms (fever, weight loss, infections, bruising).
    • Bring this list to your appointment so you don’t forget details.

Bottom line

  • Spleen pain is never something to casually ignore.
  • Causes range from infections and blood disorders to liver disease and internal bleeding, including possible spleen rupture after trauma.
  • Only a clinician with an exam and basic tests can safely sort out what’s going on and how serious it is.

If your spleen area hurts right now and especially if it is severe, recent, or associated with trauma or feeling unwell, you should seek in‑person medical care as soon as possible. Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.