I have a degree in Biomedical Engineering and Psychology from Northwestern University. I finished medical school and completed my M.D. at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. I am currently in my residency for surgery- hopefully to be specializing in neurosurgery.
I want to answer questions on medical type questions. I'm a big fan of Dr. Drew Pinsky on Love Line and would like to help younger people from the mistakes I see a lot of young people do when they come into my ER.
Gender: Male
Location: I'm from all over.
Occupation: Physician- Surgeon
Age: 29
AIM: ArunKSherma
Member Since: January 23, 2005
Answers: 188
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Melanie4981
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I have mono. I was told that if your spleen is enlarged, you should be very careful while exercising and avoid contact sports. Since I'm not in a sport, that isn't a problem. I used to run daily and I haven't ran for over a week because I'm afraid to. I'm not sure if my spleen is enlarged. My back feels swollen and it feels like I'm laying on something when I lay down. Also, I get stomach pains randomly. Is there any other symptoms that your spleen is enlarged? If it is, how will I know when I can begin running again? I really don't want any complications. Would it be better to let the mono run its course, watch what I eat, and start running when the eight weeks is up? Thanks!! (link)
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One of the problems with mono is that there is a chance of splenomegaly- in very extreme cases of this- it has been known to rupture. The spleen is an organ that is in the left upper aspect of your abdomen- left of your stomach. It is best described as a "filter" for blood- but because of this- it does have a large storage of blood- so if it ruptures- at the most extreme cases- you can become hypotensive (your blood pressure drops very low) and continue to bleed into your abdomen (instead of it going through your arteries and veins etc.
We tell patients to avoid contact sports because any direct trauma to that area can cause it to rupture. However, light exercise and non-impact (running etc.) are fine, as long as you don't do anything that may bring trauma to your abdomen (situps are okay).
If there is a problem- this is how you will know- you may have darkening of the skin around that area- will look like a big bruise. Free blood in the abdomen would cause pain in the entire abdomen- because blood irritates the cavity where all your organs are and it hurts. You may get light headed and feel like you're going to pass out. You may start breathing quicker- b/c blood (specifically red blood cells) carry oxygen to your organs and other parts of your body- if there isn't enough blood to carry it- you'll breathe quicker along with your heart rate going much faster to meet the demand.
However, to rupture a spleen during "regular" exercise if very rare, and you should do as much as feels comfortable.
Best of luck,
AK
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Rating: 5
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Thank you! I haven't been able to even try to exercise yet due to back pain and stomach pain. I'm guessing that has to do with my spleen.
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