In the Flow with Healing Waters

What is the spleen?

 It is the largest organ in the lymphatic system. It is similar to a large lymph node and acts as a blood filter for the body. The spleen is an integral part of the immune system. The approximate measurements of a spleen are one inch wide, three inches tall, and five inches long. It weighs roughly seven ounces and sits between the ninth and eleventh ribs. So why is such a tiny little organ so important?

 The spleen controls the level of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets (small cells that form blood clots). It screens the blood and removes any old or damaged red blood cells. If the spleen doesn’t work properly, it may start to remove healthy blood cells.

 You may know someone who has had their spleen removed. If the spleen is removed the liver will take over most of its functions. You are however at risk for the rest of your life that a serious infection may develop quickly.

 The spleen has many responsibilities involving Phagocytes that respond to inflammation, there is a Mononuclear Phagocyte System, it has Red Pulp and White Pulp. It also acts as a storage unit. The spleen contains more materials than are active in the human body. This excess storage exists in case an emergency infection or illness kills a large number of cells or requires more. The spleen holds up to a cup of red blood cells at any given moment, in case it is needed for a sudden blood loss, along with a quarter of the body’s white blood cells, and a third of its platelets.

Whew that is a lot of big words and information, but the point here is that the spleen has many important functions, many involving our immune system. So this brings me to Covid. Yes it is the Spleen that was working hard to help people recover from Covid. Many people are experiencing some very significant health issues after they had Covid. This is being called “Long Covid” or “Post Covid”

I looked at what the CDC has to say about symptoms. This is what I found.

People who experience Post-COVID Conditions most commonly report:

General symptoms (Not a Comprehensive List)

• Tiredness or fatigue that interferes with daily life
• Symptoms that get worse after physical or mental effort (also known as “post-exertional malaise”)
• Fever

Respiratory and heart symptoms

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Cough
• Chest pain
• Fast-beating or pounding heart (also known as heart palpitations)

Neurological symptoms

• Difficulty thinking or concentrating (sometimes referred to as “brain fog”)
• Headache
• Sleep problems
• Dizziness when you stand up (lightheadedness)
• Pins-and-needles feelings
• Change in smell or taste
• Depression or anxiety

Digestive symptoms

• Diarrhea
• Stomach pain

Other symptoms

• Joint or muscle pain
• Rash
• Changes in menstrual cycles

Have you had Covid and suffering from any of these? You can find help at Healing Waters Health Center. There are Treatments and Balances to help you work through these symptoms. Many of these symptoms listed are energetically associated with the Spleen. If you have been to Healing Waters you already know we pay attention to what is happening energetically in your body. 

Here are some other suggestions to help to keep the Spleen Healthy.

1. The foremost factor for spleen health is mindful eating. Eat small, slow, and frequent meals without overeating. It is recommended to chew properly and slowly. This optimizes the body’s ability to digest food easily. At the same time, skipping meals for long intervals also hampers spleen health. Stick to a meal plan of small meals every 2-3 hours

2. Introduce a small amount of protein in your diet. Protein enables the spleen to digest and absorb nutrients from food and provide strength and energy to the body

3. Have natural warm food stuff like ginger, black pepper, cardamom, and cinnamon that help clean the spleen and provide antioxidants. Also, cooked and warm meals decrease the digestive system’s work, reducing pressure on the spleen

4. Avoid excess and refined sugar, processed cold foods, and excessive alcohol consumption. Sugar, processed foods, and alcohol make it tougher for the spleen to work efficiently and process food well

5. Stress has a huge impact on our digestive system and organs like the spleen. Find ways to mitigate stress. If you have longer work or study hours, make time for short breaks. In a nutshell, try to manage your stress and anxiety levels as they tend to create a vicious cycle of triggering worries and affect the spleen mechanism or vice-versa.

Caring for your Spleen in the Flow

Donna