Platelets, also known as thrombocytes, are essential for the process of blood coagulation. If your platelet levels are low, you will be more prone to experiencing spotting and bruising. Thrombocytopenia is a medical term used to describe the condition of having a low platelet count, which may affect the process of blood clotting. What causes thrombocytopenia and how is it treated? Check out the following review.

What is thrombocytopenia?

Platelets are a vital component of blood. Platelets have the role of either creating blood clots or preventing excessive bleeding. Insufficient blood platelet counts affect the body's ability to effectively halt blood clotting in the event of injury or a scratch. This can result in fatal injuries, including open fractures and cerebral bleeding.

Platelets can remain in the blood for up to ten days. After a period of ten days, the bone marrow will reestablish a platelet supply for the body. A deficiency in platelet production by the bone marrow can result in thrombocytopenia, a deficiency of platelets in the blood flow.

Platelet counts range between 150,000 and 450,000 per microliter of blood on average. At or below this level, someone is diagnosed with thrombocytopenia. Thrombocytopenia can be classified into three different stages:

• Mild thrombocytopenia: Platelet levels between 101,000 and 140,000 per microliter of blood
• Moderate thrombocytopenia: Platelet levels between 51,000 and 100,000 per microliter of blood
• Severe thrombocytopenia: Platelet levels between 51,000 and 21,000 microliters of blood

Facts about the causes and risk factors of thrombocytopenia

Generally, thrombocytopenic disorders can be classified into the following three categories:

The bone marrow is deficient in platelet production. Typically observed in individuals afflicted with chronic diseases, such as lymphoma or leukemia, which are forms of blood malignancy.

Although the bone marrow adequately generates platelets, an underlying condition renders platelet levels susceptible to injury or impedes platelet production at a rate below the rate of platelet degradation.

The retention of platelets occurs within the spleen. Approximately one-third of the platelet supply is stored in the spleen. A decrease in platelet levels in the blood may result from increased storage of platelets in the spleen.

Among the risk factors that can contribute to thrombocytopenia are the following:

• Using specific medications. Various classes of medications, including anticonvulsants, heparin, and antimalarial drugs, have the potential to induce platelet injury or impede platelet production.
• Chemical exposure that is hazardous. Exposure to chemicals such as arsenic, benzene, and pesticides, as well as alcohol consumption, can inhibit platelet production.
• An infectious virus. Dengue fever and other bacterial or viral infections have the potential to cause transient reductions in platelet counts.
• Blood disorders. Blood cancers that disrupt platelet production and cause injury to the bone marrow include lymphoma and leukemia.
• Autoimmune disorders. Autoimmune diseases like lupus, rheumatism, and other similarly categorized conditions can cause platelet destruction.
• Aplastic anemia. Aplastic anemia causes the bone marrow to produce fewer new blood cells.

Symptoms of thrombocytopenia

Symptoms are typically absent in mild cases of thrombocytopenia. A full blood count is usually the only way to find out if someone has thrombocytopenia. Thrombocytopenia can cause a variety of symptoms, including:

• Fatigue
• Nosebleed
• If the wound is open, the body will bleed for quite a while.
• Bleeding gum
• Blood can be found in pee, feces, and other bodily fluids
• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Easily bruised and difficult to heal.

You need to see a doctor immediately if you experience any of the symptoms listed above.

Thrombocytopenia treatment can be adjusted to the underlying cause. If doctors determine that a patient's platelet count is too low, they can either alter the patient's treatment regimen or administer blood transfusions.

Special therapy is necessary for cases with severe thrombocytopenia, which can be life-threatening. If you would like further information regarding thrombocytopenia, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.

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