Description

Thrombocytopenia immune (ITP) is a disease that can lead to the appearance of bruising and bleeding. Low levels of cells that help the blood to clot, also known as platelets, the majority of times the cause of the bleeding.

Once known as idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, ITP can cause purple bruises. It can also cause small reddish-purple spots on the skin that look like a rash.

Children can get ITP after a virus. Most of the times get better without treatment. In adults, the disease often lasts for months or years.

People with ITP who are not bleeding and whose platelet count is not too low, you might not need treatment. For the worst of the symptoms, the treatment may include medications to increase the platelet count or the surgery to remove the spleen.

Symptoms

Thrombocytopenia immune may not have symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they may include:

  • Easy bruising.
  • The bleeding within the skin that looks like tiny reddish-purple spots also known as petechiae. The spots are mostly displayed in the lower part of the legs. They have the appearance of a rash.
  • Bleeding into the skin that is larger than petechiae, also known as purple.
  • Bleeding from the gums or nose.
  • Blood in the urine or in the faeces.
  • Really heavy menstrual flow.

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment with your health care provider if you or your child has symptoms that worry you. Bleeding that does not stop is a medical emergency. Seek immediate help if you or your child has bleeding in the habit of first aid efforts can't control. These include the application of pressure to the area.

Causes

Thrombocytopenia immune generally occurs when the immune system produces an error. Attacks and destroys the cells that help the blood to clot, also known as platelets.

In adults, infection with the HIV , hepatitis, or the bacteria that causes stomach ulcers, known as H. pylori, can cause ITP . In the majority of children with ITP , the disease is a virus, such as mumps or the flu.

Risk factors

ITP is more common among young women. The risk appears to be greater in people who also have other diseases in which the immune system attacks healthy tissue, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.

Complications

Rarely, thrombocytopenia immune causes of bleeding in the brain. This can be fatal.

Someone that is pregnant with a low platelet count or bleeding have a higher risk of bleeding during childbirth. A health care provider may recommend a treatment to maintain the platelet count even.

ITP does not normally affect the fetus. However, the baby's platelet count should be tested soon after birth.

Diagnosis

To diagnose thrombocytopenia, immune, a health care provider will try to rule out other possible causes of bleeding and a low platelet count.

There is No one test can confirm the diagnosis. Blood tests can check the levels of platelets. Rarely, adults may need a bone marrow biopsy to rule out other problems.

Treatment

People with mild thrombocytopenia immune may need only regulate platelet checks. Children usually get better without treatment. Most adults with ITP will need treatment at some point. The condition often becomes worse or lasts for a long time, also known as chronic.

Treatment may include medications to increase the platelet count or the surgery to remove the spleen, known as splenectomy. A health care provider can talk about the pros and cons of the treatment options. Some people find that the side effects of treatment are worse than the disease.

Drugs

Be sure your doctor knows about all the medications or supplements that you take without a prescription. You may need to stop using any that might increase bleeding. Some examples include aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and ginkgo biloba.

Medications for the treatment of ITP may include:

  • Steroids. Health care providers often the use of oral corticosteroids, such as prednisone. When the platelet count is back down to a safe level, the provider can tell you how to cut the medication gradually. The long-term use of these drugs may increase the risk of infections, high sugar in the blood and osteoporosis.
  • Immune globulin. If corticosteroids do not work, an injection of immune globulin could be of help. This medication also is a severe hemorrhage or rapidly increases the blood count before surgery. The effect usually disappears in a couple of weeks.
  • Medications that increase the platelets. Medications such as romiplostim (Nplate), eltrombopag (Promacta), and avatrombopag (Doptelet) help bone marrow to produce more platelets. These types of medications can increase the risk of blood clots.
  • Other drugs.Rituximab (Rituxan, Ruxience, Truxima), helps to increase the platelet count by reducing the immune system's response to damage. But this medicine can also keep the vaccines to work well. After surgery to remove the spleen may increase the need for protection against the diseases that vaccines provide. Fostamatinib (Tavalisse) is a new drug approved for people with long lastingITPwho have not responded to other treatments.

Other drugs. Rituximab (Rituxan, Ruxience, Truxima), helps to increase the platelet count by reducing the immune system's response to damage. But this medicine can also keep the vaccines to work well. After surgery to remove the spleen may increase the need for protection against the diseases that vaccines provide.

Fostamatinib (Tavalisse) is a new drug approved for people with the long duration of ITP who have not responded to other treatments.

Surgery

If the medicine does not ITP better, the surgery to remove the spleen may be the next step. When it works, this surgery quickly the ends of the attacks of platelets and improves the platelet count.

But taking out the spleen does not work for everyone. And not having a spleen increases the risk of infection.

Emergency treatment

Rarely, ITP can cause a lot of bleeding. Emergency care, usually includes the obtaining of the blood, also known as the transfusion, which contains the number of platelets. Steroids and immunoglobulin administered through a tube in a vein may also help.

Lifestyle and home remedies

If you have thrombocytopenia, immune, try the following:

  • Avoid contact sports. Being hit in the head during the practice of sports such as boxing, martial arts and soccer can cause bleeding in the brain. Talk with your health care provider about what activities are safe.
  • Watch for signs of infection. If you have had your spleen removed, look for signs of infection, including fever. Get treatment quickly. The infections can be worse in people without a spleen.
  • Be careful with the medicines you get without a prescription. Medications such as aspirin and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) may increase the risk of bleeding.

Preparing for your appointment

A low platelet count may not cause symptoms, so that a blood test for something more often found the problem.

The diagnosis of thrombocytopenia immune generally implies more blood tests. Your doctor may refer you to a specialist in diseases of the blood, also known as a hematologist.

What you can do

Here are some steps to follow to prepare for your appointment. Taking a family member or friend that can help you remember the information that is obtained.

Make a list of:

  • Your symptoms and when they began. Include symptoms that do not seem to be linked to the reason he made the appointment.
  • Key personal information, including major stresses, life changes, and recent illnesses or medical procedures, such as the reception of the blood.
  • All the drugs, vitamins, and other supplements that you take, including over-dose.
  • Questions to ask your provider.

Questions about the PTI may include:

  • How many of the platelets in my blood?
  • It is my platelet count is too low?
  • What is the cause of my ITP ?
  • I need more tests?
  • Is this condition temporary or long-term?
  • What treatments are there? What do you recommend?
  • What are the possible side effects of these treatments?
  • What will happen if I do nothing?
  • Are there any restrictions that I need to follow?
  • Do you have brochures or other printed material that I can take? What sites do you recommend?
Symptoms and treatment of thrombocytopenia Immune (PTI)