Physical trauma or infection complications can cause damage to the spleen, a small organ that sits below the ribcage on the left side of the body. Injury to or rupture of the spleen can cause significant internal bleeding, a medical emergency that requires immediate intervention from health care professionals.
Blurred Vision
Internal bleeding from the spleen causes a significant drop in a person's blood pressure. When this occurs, people can experience blurred vision, MayoClinic.com reports. Blurred or cloudy vision can cause people to appear unstable or disoriented while standing or walking.
Lightheadedness or Fainting
Blood loss from the spleen can make it harder for the heart to pump oxygen-rich blood to the brain. People who do not receive enough oxygen to the brain can experience symptoms of dizziness or lightheadedness. Sensations of dizziness may be most apparent when a person sits up or stands up quickly, as these activities alter blood pressure levels in the body. Depending upon the severity of internal bleeding, certain people may faint or lose consciousness as a symptom of a spleen injury, the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library explains.
Confusion
Excessive blood loss from the spleen can cause people to appear unusually confused or disoriented, FamilyDoctor.org warns. This symptom of internal bleeding arises because the brain isn't receiving enough nutrients or oxygen. Without these crucial blood components, nerve signals through the brain become slower, making it harder for a person to think clearly.
Abdominal or Shoulder Pain
Blood that leaks from the spleen can irritate the internal region of the abdominal cavity. Abdominal irritation and inflammation due to internal bleeding can result in moderate to severe pain in affected people. Significant blood loss may also irritate the diaphragm muscle, which can cause pain to radiate from the abdomen into the tip of the left shoulder. People who experience persistent, severe or sudden abdominal pain should consult a doctor as soon as possible. These symptoms of internal bleeding from the spleen can also be signs of emergency medical conditions, such as appendicitis.
