High quality blood disorder health advices with Arthur Billings? What is ITP? Immune thrombocytopenia (formerly known as idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura) is a medical term for an autoimmune disorder (immune) causing a shortage of platelets (thrombocytopenia) and bruising (purpura). What is the cause of ITP? ITP is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakes the platelets as being foreign and destroys them. It can follow a virus, vaccination or certain medications, but for most people the cause is unknown.

Arthur Nathaniel Billings on blood disorder treatments : Many people with ITP have a platelet count in single figures, and on rare occasions there are not enough circulating platelets to be counted, thus the count is given as 0. The number of platelets circulating in our bodies fluctuates all the time, and thus no two consecutive platelet counts are likely to be exactly the same either in a healthy person or in an ITP sufferer. What is the difference between ITP and hæmophilia? Haemophilia is inherited and permanent, ITP is not inherited, and can go into remission. Hæmophilia patients are deficient in one of the 12 factors which act together to form a blood clot. ITP patients are short of platelets which work independently as the initial plug to stop blood leakage, but the rest of the clotting mechanism works normally. Platelet infusions are only used in emergencies as transfused platelets, like the patient’s own platelets, are destroyed by their immune system in a matter of hours.

Tranexamic acid is a medication that helps blood clots to last longer once they have formed. Tranexamic acid is not a treatment for ITP but can be useful if you have bleeding while your platelet count is low. It is a tablet taken 3 times a day. It should not be taken if you have blood in your urine. It can sometimes cause indigestion, which may improve if you take a lower dose. Platelet transfusions can be useful as an emergency treatment for severe bleeding, as they can help you form a clot. However they are not useful for long term prevention of bleeding because they will only last for minutes to hours before being destroyed by your immune system.

The purple color of the skin after blood has “leaked” under it. A bruise is blood under the skin. Persons with ITP may have large bruises from no known injury. Bruises can appear at the joints of elbows and knees just from movement. Tiny red dots under the skin that are a result of very small bleeds. Nosebleeds, Bleeding in the mouth and/or in and around the gums, Heavy menstrual periods, Blood in the vomit, urine, or stool Bleeding in the head. This is the most dangerous symptom of ITP. Any head injury that occurs when there are not enough platelets to stop the bleeding can be life threatening. See additional info at Arthur Nathaniel Billings.

Thrombocytopenia means a decreased number of platelets in the blood. Purpura refers to the purple discoloring of the skin, as with a bruise. ITP is a fairly common blood disorder that both children and adults can develop. There are two forms of ITP: Acute thrombocytopenic purpura. This usually affects young children, ages 2 to 6 years old. The symptoms may follow a viral illness, such as chickenpox. Acute ITP usually starts suddenly and the symptoms usually disappear in less than 6 months, often within a few weeks. Treatment is often not needed. The disorder usually does not recur. Acute ITP is the most common form of the disorder.