Beyond the Knife: Warning Signs of an Unhealthy Spleen and 6 Practical Ways to Protect ItBeyond the Knife: Warning Signs of an Unhealthy Spleen and 6 Practical Ways to Protect It
Spleen Health

Beyond the Knife: Warning Signs of an Unhealthy Spleen and 6 Practical Ways to Protect It

Having the spleen surgically removed can create serious long-term consequences, putting us at risk for severe, life-threatening infections.
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3D rendered medical illustration of a woman's spleen. SciePro/Shutterstock
By Yuhong Dong M.D., Ph.D., Makai Allbert
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This is part 7 in “The Miraculous Immune System”

In this series, we’ll explore the true power of our immunity, the organs that work tirelessly to protect us. We’ll also provide practical ways to protect these vital gifts from the divine.

The spleen protects us in many remarkable ways, so it’s essential to learn how we can keep it healthy. Although we can live without a spleen, having it surgically removed can create serious long-term consequences, putting us at risk for severe, life-threatening infections.

A Study of Army Servicemen Without a Spleen

In 1977, the National Cancer Institute, National Academies of Sciences, and National Research Council conducted a groundbreaking study that followed 740 U.S. servicemen whose spleens had been removed because of trauma during World War II.

After monitoring the servicemen for 28 years, the study found that they suffered significantly higher mortality rates from pneumonia and heart disease, regardless of age or the length of time since their surgeries.