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What is Thrombocytopenia?
Thrombocytopenia, a disease that affects blood clots, is a common condition that can be life-threatening. Fortunately, there are treatments and medication options that can help manage the symptoms of thrombocytopenia. In addition, there are things you can do to avoid a clot developing in the first place.
Symptoms
Thrombocytopenia is a condition that causes the platelets in the blood to be less than normal. If the condition is left untreated, it can cause serious complications. This condition can be either acquired or hereditary. There are several things that can cause thrombocytopenia, including infections, radiation, and medications.
The most common symptom of thrombocytopenia is bleeding. This can be inside the body or on the skin. If the bleeding is uncontrollable, it is a medical emergency. If you have severe thrombocytopenia, it is possible that the bleeding will not stop. You should see your physician as soon as you suspect you have this disease.
If you have a doctor’s appointment, you will need to tell them about any bleeding you are experiencing. The doctor will do a physical exam and run a series of tests. These may include blood tests and bone marrow tests. You will also be asked about your family’s history.
Depending on the symptoms, your physician may recommend treatment. Your doctor may prescribe medicine or surgery to treat the disorder. They will also adjust the doses of your medications. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe corticosteroids.
If your doctor has recommended treatment, you will need to make sure that you understand what you need to do to keep yourself safe. You may be told to avoid alcohol and risky activities. You will also need to learn about the signs of bleeding.
If you are pregnant, you can also have HEELP syndrome, a complication of thrombocytopenia. This can happen if your baby has an immune system that attacks the baby’s platelets.
Some people with thrombocytopenia have a spleen that is too large. If the spleen is too big, it can trap too many platelets. These are the cells that are needed to help clot the blood.
Causes
Thrombocytopenia is a condition in which there is a reduced number of platelets in the blood. This results in bleeding. In some cases, the bleeding is internal and may be life-threatening. A blood test can detect thrombocytopenia.
The causes of thrombocytopenia are varied and include infections, medications, diseases, and some other factors. The condition can be inherited or acquired. It can also occur in children. The underlying cause of thrombocytopenia can be treated to prevent serious complications. Depending on the severity of the underlying condition, the treatment of thrombocytopenia may include blood transfusions, platelet transfusions, steroid treatments, or immunoglobulin treatments.
Infections, such as hepatitis, brucellosis, or hepatomegaly, can reduce the number of platelets in the blood. The condition is a result of the body’s immune system attacking the body’s own platelets. Some drugs, such as quinidine, can reduce the platelet count. A spleen can trap platelets and decrease their numbers. A surgical procedure such as splenectomy can increase the amount of platelets in the blood.
Besides infections, some drugs can cause acute or severe bleeding. Corticosteroids can be used to stop the autoimmune process that attacks the platelets. Other drugs, such as phenacetin, can reduce the amount of platelets in the blood.
In some cases, the underlying cause of thrombocytopenia is unclear and requires a bone marrow biopsy. The resulting tests can tell doctors whether the underlying disease is the culprit. Some of the possible symptoms of aplastic anemia include patches of bruising. In these cases, the bone marrow does not produce enough platelets. Aplastic anemia tends to develop when the person is very young. It is a very rare condition.
In most cases, thrombocytopenia resolves on its own. In other cases, the patient will need to receive a blood transfusion to stop the bleeding.
Treatment
Thrombocytopenia is a condition where there is a lower-than-normal number of blood platelets. This can be caused by a disease or an infection. It can also be inherited. Fortunately, most cases of thrombocytopenia can be treated. In severe cases, a person may have to undergo surgery to fix the problem.
It is important to treat thrombocytopenia early in order to prevent serious complications. The condition can lead to bleeding inside or outside of the body. The cause of thrombocytopenia is not usually easy to diagnose. However, a doctor will ask you about your family history and ask about any medical conditions you might have. You may also have to take a platelet count. If the test shows a low count, the doctor will treat the disease.
Some medicines can cause thrombocytopenia. Some examples include aspirin and ibuprofen. These medications can cause low counts, so the doctor will want to discontinue them. Other causes include cancer treatment, autoimmune diseases, liver disease, and other disorders. The doctor will do a physical exam and look for signs of bleeding. You might also need a bone marrow biopsy to find out what the problem is.
Some patients need a special type of therapy. The American Society of Hematology has published guidelines for treating thrombocytopenia. Some drugs used to treat thrombocytopenia include romiplostim, avatrombopag, and prednisone.
Immune thrombocytopenia is a rare autoimmune disorder. It occurs when the immune system attacks platelets. It is often associated with fatigue and bleeding. It can be treated with a drug called mycophenolate mofetil. It is less expensive than other treatments.
People with chronic immune thrombocytopenia can be treated by taking romiplostim. They can also have their spleen removed.
Platelet transfusions
Thrombocytopenia can be treated with platelet transfusions, both in the hospital and at the outpatient transfusion center. However, it is important to be aware of the potential side effects and costs associated with the procedure.
In addition to the cost of platelet transfusions, patients may also be at risk for bleeding. These factors are integrated into the decision to have a procedure performed and can affect the outcome of the procedure.
The use of prophylactic platelet transfusions is indicated for patients with platelet counts over 10,000 per cubic millimeter. Studies have not been able to determine the exact dose of prophylactic platelet transfusions required to prevent bleeding. The dose should be ordered far enough in advance for the patient’s baseline platelet count and the planned procedure.
A study has examined the effect of a platelet transfusion on hemorrhage in acute leukemia. The researchers found that platelet transfusions were not significantly associated with the number of days before bleeding occurred. It is unclear whether this is a result of the number of platelets or the time it took to recover from the transfusion.
Other studies have investigated the effect of platelet transfusion in cancer. These studies did not find significant differences in the number of red-cell transfusions and the number of days before bleeding in patients with a low, medium, or high dose of platelet transfusion.
A study has also shown that the incidence of a higher grade of bleeding is comparable in all three groups. The highest grade of bleeding occurred in 68% of patients in the low-dose group, 71% of patients in the medium-dose group, and 69% of patients in the high-dose group.
A study conducted by Sullivan MT in 1999 studied blood collection. It showed that patients in the low-dose group were given a 1.1-day increment of their platelet count, while patients in the medium-dose group received a 1.9-day increment, and patients in the high-dose group received a 3-day increment. This difference was explained by the difference in the dosage of the transfusion.
Medication avoidance
Thrombocytopenia is a condition where a person’s platelet count is lower than normal. The risk of bleeding increases, especially if the person is at risk for bruising. If you are experiencing thrombocytopenia, it is important to seek treatment as soon as possible.
Acute thrombocytopenia is a common occurrence in patients who are hospitalized. A low platelet count can be caused by a number of different disorders. Your healthcare provider can monitor your blood count and help you understand the causes of thrombocytopenia.
If your doctor suspects that you have thrombocytopenia, he or she may suggest monitoring your platelet counts or avoiding medications that could contribute to your condition. Identifying the cause of your thrombocytopenia is the first step in treating it.
There are multiple treatments available for thrombocytopenia. Your physician can prescribe a medication to help you restore your platelet count. Or, you may need surgery to remove part of your spleen. Other treatments include platelet transfusions, which replace lost blood. You may also need to avoid activities that can harm you.
There are two main types of medication that can be used to treat thrombocytopenia. One type includes heparin, which is a blood-thinning medication. The other type includes drugs that suppress the immune system.
A number of autoimmune disorders can cause thrombocytopenia. In addition, steroid use and alcohol can decrease the production of platelets.
Your doctor will be able to provide information on how to prevent thrombocytopenia. For instance, you may need to avoid contact sports that involve a high risk of injury. You should also ask your physician about drinking alcohol. You should drink in moderation.
A number of studies have shown that drug-induced thrombocytopenia can cause major bleeding. The problem with this type of condition is that it is difficult to tell the difference between it and thrombosis.
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Health A-Z. (2022, April 26). Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/health-a-z-4014770
Harvard Health. (2015, November 17). Health A to Z. https://www.health.harvard.edu/health-a-to-z
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