Splenic Flexure Syndrome

What is splenic flexure syndrome?

Splenic flexure syndrome happens when gas coming from your stomach builds up in a section of your colon. This section is your splenic flexure, which is a sharp turn or bend in your colon. The condition is a type of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Splenic flexure syndrome isn’t a serious illness. But without treatment, it can cause severe upper abdominal pain that can affect your quality of life.

What are the symptoms of splenic flexure syndrome?

Splenic flexure symptoms may include:

• Bloating
• Fullness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Sharp pain in your upper left abdomen

What causes splenic flexure syndrome?

Most people develop splenic flexure syndrome when gas builds up in their stomach. You can develop gas buildup if:

• You swallow a lot of air (aerophagia) when you eat and drink. You’re more likely to have gas in your stomach if you eat or drink very fast. Chewing gum is another way you can swallow air.
• You eat food and consume drinks with carbohydrates that your stomach and small intestine don’t digest. Bacteria in your large intestine break down the carbohydrates and release gas.

Gas from your stomach travels through your large intestine. It goes out through your anus (butthole) when you fart. Normally, gas can negotiate the curve of your splenic flexure. But too much gas can overwhelm this area of your colon. (Think what happens when a heavy rain sends water rushing toward a sharp bend in a river.)

The condition can also happen if you’re born with an unusually tight bend or curve in your colon.

How do healthcare providers diagnose splenic flexure syndrome?

A healthcare provider will do a physical examination. They’ll ask about your symptoms. They may do the following tests:

• Barium enema
• Computed tomography (CT) scan

A provider may do other tests to rule out conditions with similar symptoms.

How do you fix splenic flexure syndrome?

There’s no one way to treat this condition. Splenic flexure syndrome is a type of irritable bowel syndrome. For that reason, a healthcare provider may recommend some common IBS treatments like:

• Avoiding high-fiber foods that cause gas. Common culprits are veggies like broccoli, cauliflower and peas. Beans and lentils also cause gas.
• Checking out the low FODMAP diet. This diet works by reducing certain hard-to-digest carbohydrates.
• Cutting back on carbonated beverages. Fizzy drinks can cause gas buildup in your stomach.
• Slowing down on certain sweets. Honey, corn syrup and high-fructose fruits, like apples and peaches, can be hard to digest.
• Taking it slow while eating. That way, you don’t swallow a lot of air.

Your provider may ask you to keep a food diary. Tracking what you eat and drink can help them pinpoint what causes you to have gas. Knowing what to avoid can cure splenic flexure syndrome.

Can splenic flexure syndrome be prevented?

Yes, it can. Changing what you eat reduces stomach gas. That can reduce the chance that you’ll have gas buildup in your splenic flexure.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

Talk to a provider if splenic flexure symptoms come back or get worse even though you changed what you eat.