Immune thrombocytopenia is a condition that leads to excessive bruising and bleeding. The condition is triggered by a low amount of platelets (anti-clotting factors) in the blood. The condition is prevalent to children who had previously healed from a viral infection, although in many cases, children recover fully without treatment. To adults, the condition is often long term. However, if you don’t experience excessive bleeding, and your platelet level is above average, there is no need for treatment.
In the case you experience severe symptoms, a treatment that may include medical supplements to boost platelet amount or surgery to get rid of the spleen can be administered:
1. Diagnosing immune thrombocytopenia
To diagnose, doctors try to exclude other possible causes, which might cause bleeding or lower the platelet level, such as illness or use of certain medications. Blood tests are recommended to estimate the number of platelets in the body. It is a rare circumstance for a bone marrow examination to carried out in adults to diagnose this condition.
2. Treatment options for ITP
Often, people with immune thrombocytopenia disorder needs regular monitoring and platelets assessment. Children likely heal without treatment. To adults, early treatment is vital as the condition usually turns severe or long term if left untreated. Treatment options may include medication to boost the level of platelets or surgery to remove the spleen. Some people experience harsh side effects compared to the impact of the disorder itself.
3. Medications to treat immune thrombocytopenia
Your health officer will recommend over the counter drugs or supplements and also advice on some of the medicines to limit or avoid, which inhibits platelet production. Some of the medications used include:
• Steroids: your medical officer will likely put you on oral corticosteroids, which include prednisone. Once the normal level of platelets is gained, you can discontinue using these tablets as the doctor will recommend.
• Immune globulin: if your body fails to react with corticosteroids, your medical officer will likely recommend immune globulin injection. This drug is used in case of excessive bleeding or to raise blood count before undergoing surgery.
• Supplements that increase platelets production
• Over-the-counter drugs: such as romiplostim and eltrombopag are known to stimulate the bone marrow to produce more platelets. However, though, this type of supplements is more likely to increase the risk of blood clots.
4. Surgery for ITP
If the condition persists or becomes severe, even after initially using medication treatment, your doctor will suggest for a surgery to remove your spleen. The treatment removes platelet destruction organ in the body as a result increases platelet count, although the treatment doesn’t work for everyone. Surviving without a spleen raises your susceptibility to other infections.
5. Emergency treatment
Incase severe bleeding occurs as a result of ITP; your doctor will suggest that emergency treatment be carried out. Some of the emergency treatment includes transfusions of blood with high platelet concentrates. Immune globulin and steroids may as well be administered through a tube in the vein.
6. Homecare and Lifestyle Remedies
If you are diagnosed with immune thrombocytopenia, try to:
- Watch for ITP early warning signs more so to those who have their spleen removed
- Avoid contact games, which can quickly initiate bleeding
- Take caution while using over-the-counter medications as some have the potential to impair platelet production
