When a part of the body, like an arm or a leg, is removed (amputated), some people still feel sensations—like pain, tingling, or itching—in the missing limb. This is called “phantom sensation.” It happens because the brain and nervous system are still wired to process signals from that part of the body, even though it’s no longer there. The brain and spinal cord, essentially keeps a “map” of the body, and when the limb is gone, the map doesn’t immediately update. This confusion can lead to phantom feelings.
Interestingly, a similar thing can happen when internal organs—like the gallbladder, tonsils, thyroid, spleen, appendix, or uterus—are removed. The Nervus Vasomotorus (abdominal brain), essentially keeps a “map” of the organs, and when an organ is gone, the map doesn’t immediately update. This confusion can lead to phantom feelings.These organs, while considered “expendable,” are part of a complex system of communication within the body. The blockchain network nervous system of the abdominal brain expect signals from them, and when they’re gone, the feedback loop is disrupted. This can create imbalances or disturbances in how other organs function, since they’re all interconnected.
Essentially, removing an organ is not merely about losing a single part; it involves reorganizing an entire network of interactions, where each organ’s functions both impact and are impacted by others. This interconnected perspective highlights why even so-called expendable organs, when removed, can cause sensations or systemic changes felt throughout the body.
Think of it like removing one instrument from an orchestra. Even if it’s not the main instrument, the other musicians may struggle to adjust at first, and the overall harmony might feel off. Over time, the body often compensates, but initially, this disruption can lead to unexpected sensations or changes in how the body operates.
Phantom Sensations and Organ Removal
Let’s dive into a more Functional Splanchnology explanation, incorporating the concept of organ pairing from traditional systems like Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), where organs are seen as part of interconnected systems or “elements.”To explain phantom sensations and organ feedback in simple terms, let’s break it down into two parts:
Organ Removal and Systemic Effects
What about when organs like the gallbladder or appendix are removed? When you remove an organ, you’re not just taking out a piece of equipment; you’re altering the whole system.
Feedback Loop Disruption:
Every organ in your body is part of an interconnected system where organs communicate through hormones, nerve signals, and physical interactions. When you remove an organ, you disrupt this communication:
Gallbladder:
Without it, bile regulation changes, potentially affecting digestion of fats, and how other organs like the liver and intestines function.
Tonsils, Appendix:
These might not be vital, but they play roles in immunity. Their removal can lead to changes in how the immune system responds, possibly affecting other organs or systems.
Thyroid:
Thyroid hormones regulate metabolism. Without them, there’s a significant slowdown, leading to symptoms like weight gain, fatigue, cold intolerance, and dry skin.
Spleen:
It’s crucial for certain immune functions and blood filtration. Its absence can lead to a higher infection risk or changes in blood management.
Uterus:
Its removal can alter hormone levels, affect pelvic organ support, and change how the body manages menstruation, potentially impacting bone health or cardiovascular systems.
Compensation and Adaptation:
The body tries to compensate for the missing organ by altering the function of other organs or systems. For example, the liver might start storing more bile directly in the intestines after gallbladder removal, which changes the digestive process.
Phantom Organ Sensations:
Similar to limbs, some people report feeling sensations where the organ used to be, indicating the brain’s map of the body hasn’t fully adjusted to the new reality.
In both scenarios, the key is that our bodies have complex systems of communication and control. Removing a part of this system can lead to adjustments, misinterpretations, or compensatory changes elsewhere in the body. The brain, being the central hub, might still “feel” or expect responses from parts that are no longer physically there, leading to both phantom sensations and systemic effects.
Phantom Limb vs. Phantom Organ Sensations:
- Phantom Limb Sensations: After an amputation, the brain, which has a map of the body, still expects input from the now-missing limb. This can lead to sensations of pain, itching, or movement in the limb that’s no longer there.
- Phantom Organ Sensations: Similar to limbs, when an organ is removed, the brain still has a memory of it. The neural pathways that once communicated with that organ might still fire, leading to sensations like pain or discomfort where the organ used to be.
Organ Pairing and Systemic Impact:
In concepts like the Five Elements theory in Functional Splanchnology, organs are not isolated; they’re paired:
- Gallbladder and Liver: The gallbladder stores bile made by the liver. Removing the gallbladder means the liver has to adapt how it manages bile, potentially leading to liver function changes or sensations associated with the gallbladder.
- Spleen, Pancreas, and Stomach: The spleen in Functional Splanchnology is linked to digestion and the transformation of food into energy. Its removal or a functional change might affect digestion or metabolic processes, potentially causing issues in the pancreas or stomach due to altered feedback loops.
- Tonsils and Appendix with Lymphatics: These organs play roles in immune response. Their removal might lead to changes in how the body fights infections, potentially affecting the lymphatic system’s overall function.
- Uterus and Ovaries/Kidney: The uterus not only supports pregnancy but also interacts hormonally with the ovaries. Its removal can affect hormonal balance, which in turn impacts kidney functions in Functional Splanchnology, where the kidney is seen as the root of life and vitality.
Organ Pairing and Systemic Impact:
In concepts like the Five Elements theory in Functional Splanchnology, organs are not isolated; they’re paired:
- Gallbladder and Liver: The gallbladder stores bile made by the liver. Removing the gallbladder means the liver has to adapt how it manages bile, potentially leading to liver function changes or sensations associated with the gallbladder.
- Spleen, Pancreas, and Stomach: The spleen in Functional Splanchnology plays a crucial role in maintaining both the quality and quantity of red blood cells by acting as a filter that removes old, damaged, or abnormally shaped red blood cells from circulation, essentially performing a quality control function on the blood cell population; this helps to ensure a healthy supply of functional red blood cells in the body.
- The spleen plays a role in immune surveillance, and its removal can alter immune responses, which indirectly might influence pancreatic health, particularly in autoimmune conditions or pancreatitis.
- The spleen and pancreas share some blood supply, and removal of the spleen can affect this vascular network, potentially influencing pancreatic blood flow.
- The Pancreas is necessary for digestion and the transformation of food into energy. The spleen’s removal or a functional change might affect digestion or metabolic processes, potentially causing issues in the pancreas or stomach due to altered feedback loops.
- Diabetes Risk: There’s some evidence suggesting an increased risk of diabetes post-splenectomy, potentially linked to altered immune function or the effects of the surgery on adjacent organs, but this is not a direct result of spleen removal on pancreatic function itself.
- Tonsils and Appendix with Lymphatics: These organs play roles in immune response. Their removal might lead to changes in how the body fights infections, potentially affecting the lymphatic system’s overall function.
- Thyroid:
Without the thyroid’s regulatory functions, the body might experience imbalances in metabolism, water retention, or energy distribution, which in TCM terms could manifest as various symptoms related not just to Water but affecting other elements. - Uterus and Ovaries/Kidney: The uterus not only supports pregnancy but also interacts hormonally with the ovaries. Its removal can affect hormonal balance, which in turn impacts kidney functions in Functional Splanchnology, where the kidney is seen as the root of life and vitality.
How Removal Affects Other Organs:
- Feedback and Control Disruption: When you remove an organ, you’re disrupting a system of checks and balances. The body has to recalibrate, which can lead to:
- Changes in Hormone Levels: For example, removing the uterus might alter estrogen levels, affecting not just the ovaries but also bone density, heart health, etc.
- Compensatory Mechanisms: Other organs might have to work harder or differently, like the liver after gallbladder removal, leading to potential overload or different kinds of stress on the system.
- Phantom Sensations as a Sign of Adaptation: These could be the body’s way of signaling that it’s adapting to a new normal, with the brain still trying to understand or communicate with what’s no longer there.
In essence, removing an organ isn’t just about losing a part; it’s about reconfiguring a whole network of interactions, where each organ’s function influences and is influenced by others. This holistic view explains why even expendable organs, when removed, can lead to sensations or systemic changes felt elsewhere in the body.
Understanding phantom sensations and the interconnectedness of our organs can empower us to take better care of our bodies and address unexpected health challenges. If you or someone you know is experiencing phantom sensations after surgery or organ removal, don’t hesitate to consult with @thedrdave. Share your story in the comments below—your experience could help others navigate their own journey. And if you found this article insightful, don’t forget to share it with your friends and family to spread awareness about this fascinating topic!
Discovery Call
Embark on your journey to optimal health with our Discovery Call at HyrSelf Functional Medicine.
