If you are injured and have some kind of problem in your body then it means there are some problems in blood and platelet count. Platelets are fragments of very large cells in the bone marrow called megakaryocytes. When you get an injury or wound they help blood to clot to slow or stop the bleeding. Too much or too little platelet can cause a lot of bleeding in your body. Decreased number of platelets in the body is called platelet deficiency. It may be due to dengue, but it is not the only cause. Low platelet count is also called thrombocytopenia. If not treated in time, it can lead to serious complications and even death. Today we will learn about delayed deficit, its symptoms and causes of deficiency.
What is low platelet count?
We talked Dr. RK Agarwal, Senior Hematologist, BNK Hospital, Mumbai to find out about platelet deficiency and the reasons behind it. Doctors have explained that our blood is made up of different types of cells that float in the plasma. Plasma is a fluid that is present in the organs and protects them from internal damage. There are three types of blood cells in our body, namely-
- Red blood cells
- White blood cells
- Platelets
If you have an injury to your skin, your platelets will clot and clot to stop the bleeding. In case of slight splitting, see you can’t do that. This is because there are not enough cells that can coagulate. Thrombocytopenia can be caused by a variety of factors. It can vary depending on the underlying condition and can range from mild to severe. In this situation, some people do not feel any symptoms, whereas some people have severe symptoms and complications.
Also read: 7 Possible Side-effects of Oral Chemotherapy
Symptoms of platelet deficiency
Here are some of the symptoms you may experience if you have thrombocytopenia. Has low platelet count. You may experience the following symptoms-
- Red, purple or brown spots called purpura
- Bleeding through the nose
- Bleeding gums
- Rash with small reddish purple dots
- Bleeding from injuries recovered in the past
- Heavy menstrual bleeding in women
- In severe platelet deficiency, you may have the following symptoms:
- Blood in your stool
- Blood in the urine
- Very strong vomiting or bloody vomiting
If you think you are experiencing internal bleeding, see your doctor as soon as possible and seek medical attention.
What causes platelet deficiency?
There can be multiple reasons for having a low platelet count. Let’s look at some common and problematic reasons-
1. Bone marrow problems
One marrow is the place where your platelets and blood components are produced. The cause of low platelet count can be determined by looking at the condition of the person’s bone marrow. The bone marrow may not be able to produce enough platelets in the following conditions-
- Through aplastic anemia
- Due to deficiency of vitamins like Vitamin B12, Folate and Iron
- Due to the presence of viral infections such as HIV, rubella, chickenpox and mumps
- Chemotherapy and radiation of toxic chemicals.
- Excessive alcohol intake.
- Having cirrhosis
- Types of cancer such as leukemia and lymphoma
2. Platelet destruction
Platelets present in the human body rise to the surface in about 7 to 10 days. This is a condition where there is no evidence of platelet deficiency or thrombocytopenia. In case of low platelet count, the body destroys many platelets very quickly. Causes of destruction of platelets in the body may include-
- Side effects of certain drugs, antibiotics, blood thinners and anti-convulsant drugs
- Having an enlarged spleen
- Autoimmune disorders, such as immune thrombocytopenia, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.
- Bacterial infections in the blood
- In the last weeks of pregnancy before delivery
- Platelets can be destroyed even by bypass surgery or passing machines used in blood transfusions.
Also read- Spasticity Treatment: 8 Ways to Improve Recovery
When to see a doctor?
If you experience any of the above symptoms of low platelet count, you should talk to a doctor immediately. If you experience any serious wounds or injuries that do not stop the bleeding, you should contact a doctor. Also, if you have blood in your stool and urine. It is best to have regular checkups to reduce the risk of developing thrombocytopenia.
Picture Credit – pixabay.com