Our bone marrow, the sponge-like tissue inside our bones, is where platelets, also known as thrombocytes, are formed. Stem cells found in bone marrow develop into red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Platelets are small, colorless cell fragments in our blood that form clots and stop or prevent bleeding.
Thrombocytopeniais a condition where your blood platelet count is low. Platelets, also known as thrombocytes, are colorless blood cells that aid in blood clotting. Platelets stop bleeding by clumping and forming plugs in blood vessel injuries.
Both children and adults can develop thrombocytopenia, which can be caused by immune system issues, bone marrow disorders like leukemia, or as a side effect of taking certain medications.
Treatment options are available for thrombocytopenia, which range from mild to rare cases of internal bleeding caused by low platelet counts and few signs or symptoms.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of thrombocytopenia may include:
- Easy or frequent bleeding (purpura)
- Petechiae, which are tiny reddish-purple spots, are a sign of superficial bleeding into the skin and typically appear on the lower legs.
- Prolonged bleeding from cuts
- A nose or gums that are bleeding
- Blood inurine or stools
- Unusually heavy menstrual flows
- Fatigue
- Enlarged spleen
Causes
Due to the short 10-day lifespan of each platelet, our body normally continuously replenishes our platelet supply by producing new platelets in the bone marrow. Thrombocytopenia is defined as having less than 150,000 platelets per microliter of circulating blood.
Whatever the cause, thrombocytopenia usually results from one or more of the following processes: splenic platelet trapping, decreased platelet production, or increased platelet destruction.
Trapped platelets
An enlarged spleen, which can be brought on by a number of disorders, can harbor too many platelets, lowering the number of platelets in circulation. The spleen is a small organ the size of a fist that is located just below the rib cage on the left side of the abdomen.
Decreased production of platelets
Your bone marrow produces platelets, which can be lowered by a variety of factors.
- Leukemia and other cancers
- Some types of anemia
- viral illnesses like hepatitis C and HIV
- The use of radiation therapy and chemotherapy
- Heavy alcohol consumption
Increased breakdown of platelets
There may be a shortage of platelets in the bloodstream due to certain conditions that can make the body use up or destroy platelets more quickly than they are produced.
- Pregnancy.Pregnancy-related thrombocytopenia typically resolves quickly after delivery and is mild.
- Immune thrombocytopenia.This type, where the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys platelets, is more common in children and is caused by autoimmune diseases like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, is known as idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.
- Bacteria in the blood.Platelets can be destroyed by blood infections caused by severe bacteria (bacteremia).
- Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.A small number of blood clots suddenly form all over the body in this uncommon condition, which depletes the body’s platelets.
- Hemolytic uremic syndrome.Due to this uncommon disorder, red blood cells are destroyed, platelets drop sharply, and kidney function is compromised.
- Medications.Heparin, quinine, sulfa-containing antibiotics, and anticonvulsants are a few examples of drugs that can lower the number of platelets in blood by confusing the immune system and making it destroy platelets.
Complications
Though uncommon, severe thrombocytopenia can result in bleeding into the brain, which can be fatal. When your platelet count falls below 10,000 platelets per microliter, dangerous internal bleeding can happen.
HOMOEOPATHIC TREATMENT
Several homeopathic treatments for thrombocytopenia that, in our experience, have been reasonably effective include:
Chin. Sulph
Crot.H
Hamamelis Virginiana
Lachesis
Merc Sol
Phosphorus,e.t.c
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