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Thrombocytopenia is a condition where the blood platelet count is low. The platelets or thrombocytes are colorless blood cells that help blood to clot, stops bleeding by clumping and form plugs in damaged blood vessels.
Thrombocytopenia develops due to conditions such as leukemia or problems of the immune system and it can also be a side effect of certain medications. The condition can affect both children and adults.
Symptoms of thrombocytopenia
- Superficial bleeding in the skin that looks like a rash or pinpoint sized spots that are colored reddish-purple that usually develop on the legs.
- Excessive bruising
- Bleeding from the gums or nose
- Bleeding excessively from cuts
Superficial bleeding in the skin that looks like a rash or pinpoint sized spots that are colored reddish-purple that usually develop on the legs. - Presence of blood in the urine or stool
- Heavy menstrual flow
- Enlarged spleen
- Fatigue
- Jaundice
Causes
- Reduced production of platelet due to leukemia, other types of anemia, exposure to toxic chemicals, viral infections, heavy consumption of alcohol and deficiency in vitamin B12.
- Presence of platelets in the spleen due to cancer or severe disease of the liver.
- Autoimmune disease reaction to medications, bacterial infection in the blood, pregnancy and health problems.
Treatment
- Avoid taking pain medications that cause thinning out of the blood such as aspirin and ibuprofen.
- Minimize consumption of excessive alcohol to prevent the bleeding from getting worse.
- Avoid playing contact sports to prevent damage on the body that results to bleeding. Bleeding can be difficult to stop and can result to severe complications.
- When brushing your teeth, use soft bristled toothbrush to prevent bleeding in the gums.
- Always use seatbelts and put on gloves and goggles when working with power tools to prevent injuries.
- Supplement the diet with vitamin B12 and folic acid. These are needed for the healthy production of the blood elements and platelets. Another alternative is to eat foods rich in vitamin B12 and folic acid such as spinach, kiwi, citrus fruits, dried beans. Eggs, cheese, milk, liver and mutton are rich in vitamin B12 content.
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Avoid drinking cold water to prevent damage on the digestive tract and lessened absorption of nutrients in the body. Another approach is drinking filtered and purified water at room temperature to help with the production of more blood cells and improve the platelet count. Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water at room temperature every day.
- Perform regular exercises every day for proper circulation of blood and improve the immune system.