The spleen is a small organ located on the left side of your body immediately beneath your kidney. This organ plays a critical role in waste removal from the body and the immune system response. If you sustain an injury to your spleen, you can experience a life-threatening medical condition called a ruptured spleen. Seek emergency medical care if you develop any of the symptoms of a ruptured spleen.
Pain
The most common symptom associated with a ruptured spleen is pain. An injury to the abdominal area can cause blood to leak from the spleen. If this occurs, the spleen and surrounding tissues can become inflamed and irritated, leading to symptoms of pain or tenderness within your abdomen. A ruptured spleen can cause you to specifically experience left shoulder-tip pain, which occurs due to inflammation of the diaphragm, explain health educators at the British Broadcasting Company (BBC), the leading broadcasting network in the world. Painful symptoms of a ruptured spleen can vary in severity from mild to severe and may become progressively worse if treatment is not sought immediately.
Dizziness
Internal blood loss due to a ruptured spleen can cause you to experience dizziness or lightheadedness. If you develop sensations of dizziness, you may feel unstable when you attempt to walk or stand normally. A ruptured spleen can lead to severe internal bleeding, which may cause you to faint or lose consciousness. The BBC warns that you may immediately collapse if you sustain a significant injury to your spleen.
Blurred Vision
An injury to the spleen that causes internal blood loss can affect your vision. Vision alterations due to a ruptured spleen can include blurred or cloudy vision. Such symptoms can also cause you to feel confused, explain doctors at The Mayo Clinic, and may occur in conjunction with dizziness or pain. Blurred vision due to a ruptured spleen can negatively affect your ability to walk or drive.
