Do you sometimes get bruises on your body? Or does it take a long time for the bleeding to stop after a small cut? Maybe your gums bleed constantly? These can sometimes be a sign of a problem with platelets, a type of small cell in our blood. Today, we will talk about what these platelet disorders are.
What are these platelet disorders?
Simply put, platelet disorders are conditions that affect the number of platelets in your blood or the way they work. Okay, now you're probably wondering, "What are these platelets?" Let's explain that too.
What are platelets?
Imagine you have a small wound. The bleeding stops after a while, right? Well, these platelets help with that. Platelets are very small cell fragments (like pieces of cells) in our blood. They are produced in our bone marrow. When an injury occurs, these platelets come together, seal the wound and stop the bleeding. It's like a natural plaster in our body! They stick together and form a blood clot. This is the main process that stops bleeding.
So what are platelet disorders?
So, a platelet disorder is something wrong with these platelets. That means, either your platelet count may be low, or high, or even if you have the right amount of platelets, they may not work properly. Either way, it can cause bleeding problems.
What are the main types of platelet disorders?
There are three main types of platelet disorders:
1. Thrombocytosis: This means that the number of platelets in your blood is much higher than normal .
2. Thrombocytopenia: This is when the number of platelets in your blood is much lower than normal .
3. Platelet dysfunction: Here, even though the platelet count in your blood is normal, they don't work properly. It's like having four tires on a car, but one of them is flat.
Most of the time, the symptoms of these platelet disorders are not severe. Some people may not even show any signs. However, in some cases, especially if the platelets are low or not working properly, there may be an increased risk of bleeding. Also, if the platelet count is too high, there may be an increased risk of blood clots forming (a dangerous blood clot) .
Your doctor can explain these risks and recommend the necessary treatments based on your situation.
What are these symptoms?
Some of the symptoms that can be seen in platelet disorders are:
- Signs of bleeding under the skin:
- Bruises just appear in places on the body. This is sometimes called purpura.
- Small red, pin-point-like spots (petechiae) appear on the skin. These are usually non-itchy spots that do not turn white on their own.
- Women experience heavy bleeding during menstruation (lasting longer than usual, bleeding heavily).
- Frequent nosebleeds.
- Bleeding gums when brushing your teeth.
- Blood in your stool (which may turn black) or blood in your urine (which may turn red/pink).
- Feeling weak, dizzy, or faint (especially when blood loss occurs).
- Sometimes, abnormal blood clots can form (especially in cases of high platelet count).
If you have one or more of these symptoms, it is best to seek medical advice.
Why is this happening? What are the reasons?
Platelet disorders can occur for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, they can be caused by another medical condition you have or a medication you take. Other times, they can be caused by a genetic condition you inherit from your parents.
Causes of high platelets
There are two main reasons why platelets increase:
- Essential thrombocythemia: This is a rare condition where your bone marrow produces more platelets than it should due to a genetic mutation.
- Reactive thrombocytosis: This is the most common type. It occurs when the body produces too many platelets in response to another condition. For example:
- Iron-deficiency anemia.
- Inflammatory conditions in the body (e.g. cancer, infections).
- Injuries.
- Some medications.
Causes of low platelets
There are several reasons why your platelet count may be low:
- The body does not make enough platelets: This may be due to a problem with the bone marrow.
- Platelet destruction due to a disease: For example, in `(Autoimmune diseases)` (diseases of the immune system), the body's own immune system destroys its own platelets. `(Immune thrombocytopenia - ITP)` is such a condition.
- Spleen stores more platelets: Normally, the spleen stores about a third of our platelets. However, in some diseases, this amount increases.
- Other reasons:
- Blood cancer (caused by the bone marrow filling with cancer cells).
- Some blood diseases, for example `(Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura - TPP)` and `(Disseminated intravascular coagulation - DIC)`.
- Severe infections.
- Some medications and treatments for cancer (Chemotherapy, Radiation therapy).
Causes of platelet dysfunction
Sometimes, even if the platelet count is normal, there may be some problem with their function. There are also reasons for this:
- Congenital (genetic) conditions: These are very rare. Examples: `(Bernard Soulier syndrome)`, `(Glanzman thrombasthenia)`, `(Von Willebrand disease)` (which affects platelet function as well as other factors involved in blood clotting), `(Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)`.
- Acquired conditions: Diseases such as kidney failure, liver disease, and lupus can affect the way platelets work.
- Medications: Some medications, especially SSRI antidepressants and NSAIDs, can impair platelet function. In fact, medication-induced platelet dysfunction is the most common cause.
Who is at higher risk of developing these?
There are several factors that increase the risk of developing a platelet disorder:
- Age: Some platelet disorders may occur more commonly in certain age groups.
- Gender: Although anyone can develop it, women are more likely to experience symptoms during periods of bleeding, such as menstruation and childbirth.
- Family history: Some genetic platelet disorders can be passed down from generation to generation.
- Other medical conditions: Many diseases, such as autoimmune diseases, infections, kidney and liver diseases, and cancer, can cause platelet problems.
- Cancer treatments: Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can reduce platelet counts.
- Medications: Antibiotics and some medications for epilepsy can also affect platelets.
- Lifestyle: Excessive alcohol consumption and use of tobacco products can affect platelet production.
What complications can arise from this condition?
If platelet disorders are not managed properly, some complications can occur:
- Hemorrhage: Even a small wound can cause a lot of bleeding.
- Heavy menstrual bleeding in women (Menorrhagia).
- Gastrointestinal bleeding.
- In conditions like `essential thrombocytosis`, dangerous conditions like blood clots in the veins of the legs (deep vein thrombosis) or blood clots in the lungs (pulmonary embolism) can occur.
- Risk of heart attack or stroke (especially if blood clots form easily).
But remember, if you work with a doctor and follow a proper treatment plan, you can prevent many of these complications.
How do you find this? (Diagnosis)
If you have symptoms of a platelet disorder, a doctor will first do a physical exam. They will ask about your symptoms, the medications you take, and whether anyone in your family has had similar problems. They will also take a medical history. Then, they will do some blood tests to check your platelets.
The main blood tests are:
- Complete blood count (CBC): This measures the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in your blood.
- Peripheral blood smear (PBS): In this test, a drop of your blood sample is taken and examined under a microscope to see if the platelets look normal and if there are any changes in their shape or size.
- Platelet function tests: These tests check how well your platelets form blood clots and whether they are functioning properly.
If these tests confirm that you have a platelet disorder, you may need to have further tests to find out what is causing it. For example:
- Bone marrow biopsy: In this, a small sample of bone marrow is taken and checked for abnormal cells (signs of a blood disease or cancer).
- Genetic test: Since some platelet disorders are caused by genetic factors, this test looks for genetic mutations associated with them.
What are the treatments?
Treatment for platelet disorders depends on the cause. Some conditions are temporary and resolve once the cause is gone. However, if you have a chronic (long-term) platelet disorder, you will need to see a hematologist and receive treatment to keep your platelet levels safe.
The following can be done as treatment:
- Watchful waiting: If your symptoms are not severe, you may not need immediate treatment. Instead, your doctor will monitor your platelet levels with regular blood tests.
- Medications: If your platelet count is too high, whether due to a condition like `essential thrombocytosis` or another blood cancer (such as `(myeloproliferative disease)`), you may be given medication to lower it. Similarly, if your platelet count is low, you may be given medication to increase their production or decrease their destruction.
- Platelet depletion: This is done very rarely. A procedure called apheresis removes excess platelets from the blood.
- Platelet transfusion: If your platelet count is very low (especially if you are bleeding), platelets may be given externally.
- Plasma therapy / Plasma exchange: This treatment may be necessary in cases of disease such as TPP. This involves replacing the missing part of the blood called (ADAMTS13).
How do you live with this condition? How do you take care of yourself?
Your experience will depend on the type of platelet disorder you have and the cause. In most cases, your platelet count will return to normal once the cause is treated. Or, your condition may not be life-threatening until you have an injury. In that case, you will need to take steps to reduce the risk of injury. If you are having something like surgery, your medical team will need to take special care to prevent bleeding.
In more serious cases, you may need to continue taking medication, undergo regular treatments, and undergo tests to make sure you have enough healthy platelets in your body.
If you have to live with a platelet disorder, the best thing you can do is understand exactly how to reduce your risk of bleeding or dangerous blood clots. It's important to know these things:
- Activities to avoid: Some platelet disorders can cause severe bleeding if you get injured. Therefore, activities that are high in risk of injury (e.g., contact sports) should be avoided.
- How to care for a wound: If there is a risk of bleeding, it is important to know how to apply pressure to a wound to stop bleeding. Your doctor can teach you how to do this.
- Medications to take (and not to take): You may need to continue taking medications to manage a platelet disorder. You may also need to avoid certain medications (such as NSAIDs such as aspirin) that interfere with platelet function and increase the risk of bleeding.
- Supplements to avoid: Some supplements can increase the risk of bleeding in people with platelet disorders. Ask your doctor what these are.
- How to communicate with your doctors: If you are planning to have anything that could cause bleeding, whether it's a minor procedure like a tooth extraction or a major surgery, you should inform your doctors about it.
Seek advice on all of this from your hematologist or the doctor managing your condition.
When should you see a doctor?
If you notice signs of a platelet disorder, such as persistent bruising for no apparent reason (especially bruises larger than a five-rupee coin that you don't remember) , see a doctor.
If you have signs of severe bleeding (e.g., bleeding that won't stop, severe dizziness, loss of consciousness) or signs of a blood clot (e.g., chest pain, difficulty breathing, difficulty speaking, numbness in an arm or leg - these could be signs of a ``stroke'' or ``heart attack''), go to an emergency room immediately.
What questions should you ask the doctor?
When you see the doctor, don't hesitate to ask questions like these:
- How serious is my condition?
- Can this be cured completely?
- What kind of treatments will help me?
- How often should I have my platelet levels checked?
- What can I do to prevent dangerous bleeding or blood clots?
A final take-home message
There are many things that can affect platelets, and even some treatments can. So, don't assume the worst when you find out that your platelet count is abnormal. However, it's important to find out exactly what's causing the problem. Only then will you know exactly what you're dealing with.
If you think you have signs of a platelet disorder, see a doctor. He or she can recommend treatments to help bring your platelet levels back to normal or manage your condition. The best way to stay healthy is to be open, ask questions, and get a good understanding of your condition.
` platelet disorders, platelets, bleeding, blood clotting, thrombocytopenia, thrombocytosis, platelet dysfunction, Sinhala medical, blood diseases
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න