Understanding Your Spleen in Grand Rapids, Michigan

The spleen is a small but important organ located high on the left side of your abdomen, just under the rib cage. In a healthy adult, it usually weighs around 200 grams.

For patients in Grand Rapids, MI, understanding how the spleen works – and what happens if it is diseased or removed – can help you make informed decisions when working with local specialists at Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health.

What Does the Spleen Do?

The spleen acts like two organs in one:

  1. Blood filter

    • Removes old or damaged red blood cells
    • Clears abnormal cells and some bacteria from the bloodstream

  2. Immune system support

    • Produces infection-fighting white blood cells (lymphocytes)
    • Helps make antibodies that recognize and fight germs

Because the spleen is involved in both blood and immune function, it can be affected by a wide range of disorders. However, the human body can usually adapt well to life without a spleen, which is why splenectomy (surgical removal of the spleen) is sometimes recommended.

Structure of the Spleen

Inside, the spleen looks red and soft (“pulpy”), surrounded by a tough outer capsule.

  • Red pulp

    • Made of blood-filled spaces (splenic sinusoids) and connective tissue (splenic cords)
    • Filters blood and removes old or defective blood cells

  • White pulp

    • Small clusters of lymphoid (immune) tissue located within the red pulp
    • Produces and activates immune cells, including:
      • B lymphocytes (B cells)
      • T lymphocytes (T cells)

Blood enters the spleen through the splenic artery, which branches into many small vessels. Each branch is surrounded by lymphocytes, so every drop of blood is checked for foreign particles like bacteria and viruses as it passes through.

Common Spleen Disorders

Several conditions can affect the spleen. In Grand Rapids, these are typically evaluated by your primary care provider or a hematologist at local centers such as Spectrum Health or Trinity Health Grand Rapids.

Splenomegaly (Enlarged Spleen)

Splenomegaly means an enlarged spleen. In some cases, it can grow to weigh 2 kg or more.

Causes of splenomegaly include:

  • Blood disorders

    • Haemolytic anaemias (conditions where red blood cells break down too quickly)
    • Thalassaemia
    • Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)
    • Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia

  • Infections

    • Glandular fever (mononucleosis)
    • Certain bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections

  • Liver disease

    • Cirrhosis (often related to alcohol use, chronic hepatitis, or fatty liver disease)

  • Cancers

    • Blood cancers:
      • Leukaemia
      • Hodgkin lymphoma
      • Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
    • Solid organ cancers that may involve the spleen:
      • Pancreatic cancer
      • Renal (kidney) cancer
      • Stomach cancer
      • Colorectal cancer
      • Oesophageal cancer
      • Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST)
      • Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP)

An enlarged spleen can sometimes become overactive, destroying more blood cells than it should.

Hypersplenism

Hypersplenism refers to an overactive spleen that removes blood cells too aggressively.

Typical features:

  • Enlarged spleen (splenomegaly)
  • Low levels of one or more blood components, such as:
    • Red blood cells → anaemia (fatigue, weakness, pallor)
    • White blood cells → increased risk of infections
    • Platelets → easy bruising or bleeding

Common causes include:

  • Cirrhosis of the liver
  • Blood disorders
  • Autoimmune conditions
  • Cancers or treatments for cancer
  • Coeliac disease

Treatment focuses on managing the underlying cause (for example, treating liver disease or blood cancer) and, in some cases, may include splenectomy.

Congenital Absence of the Spleen (CAS) and Hyposplenism

Some people are born without a spleen (congenital asplenia) or with a poorly functioning spleen (hyposplenism).

Causes and associations include:

  • Congenital heart defects
  • Polysplenia (multiple small spleens)
  • Certain blood disorders
  • Autoimmune disorders
  • Coeliac disease
  • Prior cancer treatments
  • Splenic infarction (loss of blood supply to the spleen)

These conditions are often diagnosed:

  • At birth, during evaluation for other congenital issues
  • Incidentally on imaging, such as ultrasound or CT scan
  • Through blood tests that show abnormal red blood cell shapes

People with asplenia or hyposplenism are at higher risk for serious bacterial infections and require careful vaccination and preventive care.

Splenic Rupture

The spleen is a solid organ, and its outer capsule can tear (rupture), causing internal bleeding.

Causes

  • Traumatic rupture

    • Car accidents (a concern on icy West Michigan roads in winter)
    • Sports injuries (football, hockey, skiing, snowboarding)
    • Falls

  • Atraumatic (spontaneous) rupture

    • Can occur when the spleen is already enlarged and fragile, for example:
      • Severe infections (like glandular fever)
      • Blood cancers
      • Advanced liver disease

Degrees of Rupture

Splenic rupture can range from small tears with limited bleeding to severe, life-threatening hemorrhage.

Symptoms may include:

  • Sudden pain in the left upper abdomen or left shoulder
  • Dizziness or fainting
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Low blood pressure

This is a medical emergency. In Grand Rapids, call 911 or go directly to the nearest emergency department (e.g., Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital or Trinity Health Grand Rapids).

Treatment Options

  • Emergency splenectomy
    When bleeding is life-threatening, the spleen is surgically removed.

  • Splenic artery embolisation
    In select cases, interventional radiologists may place a synthetic clot in the splenic artery to reduce bleeding and preserve part or all of the spleen.

Spleen and Pancreas Surgery

The spleen and pancreas sit very close together and share some blood vessels. During pancreatic surgery, especially when part of the tail of the pancreas is removed, the spleen is often removed at the same time to:

  • Reduce the risk of severe postoperative bleeding
  • Ensure complete removal of nearby diseased tissue

If your surgeon in Grand Rapids recommends pancreatic surgery, they will discuss whether your spleen also needs to be removed and what that means for your long-term health.

Diagnosing Spleen Disorders in Grand Rapids

If your doctor suspects a spleen problem, they may refer you to a hematologist, gastroenterologist, or surgeon at a local hospital. Common tests include:

  • Physical examination

    • Feeling for an enlarged spleen under the left rib cage

  • Blood tests

    • Complete blood count (CBC)
    • Liver function tests
    • Tests for underlying infections or autoimmune diseases

  • Imaging

    • Ultrasound
    • CT (computed tomography) scan
    • MRI or PET scan (especially when cancer is suspected)

  • Bone marrow biopsy

    • Sometimes needed to investigate blood cancers or bone marrow disorders

Treatment is tailored to the underlying cause—for example, treating lymphoma, managing liver disease, or addressing autoimmune conditions.

Treatment for Spleen Disorders

Treatment depends on:

  • The specific diagnosis (e.g., splenomegaly, hypersplenism, cancer, cyst, or trauma)
  • The severity of symptoms
  • Your overall health and other medical conditions

Options may include:

  • Medications
    • To treat infections, autoimmune disease, or underlying liver conditions
  • Chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or targeted therapies
    • For blood cancers and some solid tumors
  • Surgery
    • Partial splenectomy (removal of only the diseased part of the spleen)
    • Total splenectomy (complete removal of the spleen)

Whenever possible, surgeons try to preserve some spleen tissue so that remaining healthy portions can continue to function.

Life After Splenectomy or With a Non-Functioning Spleen

The body can function without a spleen, but you will have a higher risk of serious bacterial infections, especially from:

  • Pneumococcal bacteria (can cause pneumonia, meningitis, blood infections)
  • Meningococcal bacteria (can cause meningitis and sepsis)
  • Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)

You are not at higher risk of catching viral infections such as influenza or COVID-19, but if you do get these viruses, your risk of a secondary bacterial infection is higher.

If you have had your spleen removed or it does not function properly, talk to your Grand Rapids GP or clinic nurse about vaccines. Typically recommended vaccines include:

  • Pneumococcal vaccines
  • Meningococcal vaccines
  • Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine
  • Annual flu (influenza) vaccine
  • COVID-19 vaccines, as recommended by current guidelines

These vaccines are usually given through:

  • Your primary care provider
  • Hospital-based clinics at Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health
  • Kent County Health Department or Grand Rapids Public Health clinics

Your provider will create an individualized vaccination schedule based on your age, health history, and current national recommendations.

Antibiotics and Infection Prevention

Because infection risk is higher without a functioning spleen, many patients are prescribed preventive (prophylactic) antibiotics, often a low-dose penicillin-based antibiotic, unless there is an allergy.

Long-Term Antibiotic Use

  • Some people take daily antibiotics for several years after splenectomy.
  • Others, especially those with additional immune problems (such as chemotherapy or high-dose steroids), may need them long-term or lifelong.
  • If you are allergic to penicillin, a referral to an immunologist or allergy specialist is recommended to review and confirm your allergy and discuss alternatives.

Emergency Antibiotics

Your doctor may also prescribe “emergency antibiotics” to keep at home or when traveling. These are meant to be taken if:

  • You suddenly feel very unwell
  • You have fever or other infection symptoms
  • You cannot be seen by a doctor within 4–6 hours

If you take your emergency antibiotics, you must still seek urgent medical assessment from a GP, urgent care, or emergency department as soon as possible.

Warning Signs After Splenectomy: When to Seek Help

People without a spleen can become seriously ill very quickly. Be alert for any signs of infection, including:

  • Fever or chills
  • Shivers, sweats, or shaking
  • Feeling “very unwell” or different from a usual cold
  • Confusion or difficulty thinking clearly
  • Severe headache
  • Vomiting or diarrhoea
  • Rapid breathing or heart rate

If you notice these symptoms:

  1. Seek immediate medical attention – contact your GP, urgent care, or go to the nearest emergency department in Grand Rapids.
  2. If you know care will be delayed, take your prescribed emergency antibiotics first, then go for medical assessment as soon as possible.
  3. Always tell healthcare staff that your spleen is absent or not working.

Consider wearing a medical alert bracelet or using emergency alerts on your phone so local emergency teams know about your spleen status.

Animal Bites, Scratches, and Tick Bites in Michigan

Dogs and cats carry a mouth bacteria called Capnocytophaga canimorsus, which can cause severe infection in people without a functioning spleen.

If you are asplenic or hyposplenic and you:

  • Are bitten or scratched by a dog or cat
  • Notice redness, swelling, or warmth at the bite site
  • Develop fever or feel unwell

You should:

  1. Immediately wash the area thoroughly with soap and water or antiseptic.
  2. Seek medical attention promptly (GP, urgent care, or emergency department).
  3. Inform the clinician that you do not have a functioning spleen.

In Michigan, ticks can also transmit infections. If you are bitten by a tick and feel unwell, contact your healthcare provider urgently.

Travel Advice for Grand Rapids Patients Without a Spleen

If you plan to travel outside the United States, especially to areas where malaria or other serious infections are common:

  • See a travel medicine doctor or infectious disease specialist in Grand Rapids well before your trip.
  • Malaria is spread by mosquitoes; prevention includes:
    • Using mosquito repellent
    • Wearing long sleeves and pants, especially at dusk and dawn
    • Sleeping under bed nets where appropriate
    • Taking prophylactic anti-malarial medication as prescribed

Always travel with:

  • Your daily antibiotics (if prescribed)
  • A supply of emergency antibiotics
  • A copy of your medical summary stating that you do not have a functioning spleen

Seek immediate medical care if you become unwell while traveling.

Local Support and Follow-Up in Grand Rapids, MI

While the article you provided referenced a national spleen service, in Grand Rapids your care will typically be coordinated through:

  • Your primary care provider
  • Hematologists, oncologists, gastroenterologists, or surgeons at:
    • Spectrum Health
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Metro Health
    • Mercy Health
  • Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health for vaccinations and public health resources

Ask your GP about:

  • A personalized plan for vaccines and antibiotics
  • Written information for you and your family
  • How to access after-hours or emergency care if you suddenly become unwell

Michigan-Specific Considerations

Living in West Michigan brings some unique health factors to keep in mind if you have spleen issues:

  • Cold winters and respiratory infections

    • Flu, pneumonia, and other respiratory infections are more common in colder months.
    • Annual flu shots and staying up to date on pneumococcal vaccines are especially important.

  • Outdoor activities around the Great Lakes

    • Hiking, camping, and water activities increase exposure to ticks, insects, and potential injuries.
    • Use insect repellent, check for ticks, and wear protective clothing.

  • Winter driving and trauma risk

    • Icy roads increase the risk of motor vehicle accidents and potential abdominal trauma.
    • Always wear seatbelts and seek evaluation after significant impacts, especially if you have known splenomegaly.

Where to Get Help in Grand Rapids

If you have concerns about your spleen or have had your spleen removed, contact:

  • Your GP or clinic nurse for ongoing care, vaccinations, and prescriptions
  • Local hospitals and specialists, such as:
    • Spectrum Health
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Metro Health
    • Mercy Health
  • Kent County Health Department / Grand Rapids Public Health for immunization clinics and public health advice

In an emergency (severe pain, high fever, confusion, feeling very unwell), call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

Key Points About the Spleen

  • Many different disorders can cause the spleen to enlarge, sometimes up to 2 kg or more.
  • An overactive, enlarged spleen can destroy too many blood cells, leading to anaemia, low white cells, or low platelets.
  • The spleen is often removed along with part of the pancreas to prevent dangerous postoperative bleeding.
  • Treatment for spleen disorders depends on the specific cause and may include medication, cancer therapy, partial splenectomy, or full splenectomy.
  • When only diseased portions of the spleen are removed, remaining healthy tissue can continue to function.
  • People without a functioning spleen need:
    • Up-to-date vaccinations
    • Careful infection prevention
    • Rapid medical evaluation if they develop signs of infection

If you live in Grand Rapids, MI, and have questions about your spleen or immune health, talk with your primary care provider or a local specialist to develop a plan tailored to you.