Thrombocytopenia (low platelets)

General or Other | Hematology | Thrombocytopenia (low platelets) (Disease)


Description

Thrombocytopenia is the medical term for expressing the low number of platelets in the blood. Platelets (platelets) blood are colorless blood cells that play an important role in blood clotting. Platelets are essential in stopping the bleeding, because their blood clotting function. They adhere to injured blood vessel wall and obscure cracks that cause bleeding.

Signs and symptoms of thrombocytopenia may include: Be easy bruising or increased; Bleeding superficial skin eruptions appear as dots, purple red , located usually on the lower legs; Prolonged bleeding from cuts; Bleeding nose or gums, spontaneous; Blood in urine or faeces; Heavy menstrual flow; Quantitative bleeding during or after surgery or after dental surgeries. If the platelet count falls below normal, the condition is called thrombocytopenia. Normal value is between 150,000 to 450,000 platelets per microliter of circulating blood platelets. Since we each of these cell types has a lifespan of about 10 days, a persons body produces new platelets in the bone marrow, balancing the situation.

Causes and Risk factors

Thrombocytopenia occurs as a consequence of the manifestation of a disease such as leukemia, immune system due to lower or side effects of taking the medicine. In most cases, thrombocytopenia is improved when the cause that triggered it is treated.

Thrombocytopenia has several possible causes: Splenic sequestration of platelets means that the spleen is a small organ located below the ribs on the left side of the abdomen. Normally, the spleen is to protect the body against infection and filter unwanted substances from the blood. An enlarged spleen (for various reasons) may contain excessive levels of platelets, which causes a drop in existing platelets in the bloodstream. Decreased production of platelets - a disease or disorder involving bone marrow such as leukemia and some types of anemia, could lead to a reduction in platelet count products. Viral infections, including HIV infection, may suppress the ability of bone marrow to produce platelets.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Drugs, surgery or blood transfusions may be useful in treating chronic thrombocytopenia.

Treatment of thrombocytopenia varies according to the cause. If thrombocytopenia is drug-induced, then removal of the offending agents should correct the condition.

Corticosteroids may be used to increase platelet production. Lithium carbonate or folate may also be used to stimulate the bone marrow production of platelets. Platelet transfusions may be used to stop episodic abnormal bleeding caused by a low platelet count. However, if platelet destruction results from an immune disorder, platelet infusions may have only a minimal effect and may be reserved for life-threatening bleeding.

Splenectomy may be necessary to correct thrombocytopenia caused by platelet destruction. A splenectomy should ...