Thrombocytopenia is a medical condition where your blood contains a lesser number of platelets compared to regular platelet count. Platelets are tiny blood cells that form clots to stop bleeding. When you get a cut or a bruise, your platelets clump together to prevent excessive blood loss.
In a patient with Thrombocytopenia, a small injury may result in heavy bleeding. This condition may cause easy or excessive bruising, hard-to-stop bleeding, frequent nosebleeds, bleeding gums, or other symptoms. The causes of Thrombocytopenia might consist of bone marrow disorders, an autoimmune condition, some infections or unwanted side effects from medications including chemotherapy. Sometimes, the body itself destroys platelets faster than they are made.
The diagnosis of Thrombocytopenia generally involves a blood test to find out the platelet count. The necessary treatment for this condition depends on the cause and severity of the disease. For mild cases, treatment may not be immediately required, but serious cases may require medications or procedures to boost platelet count and manage symptoms. Monitoring and managing this condition is important to avoid serious complications like excessive bleeding. In case you believe you might have Thrombocytopenia, consult a medical professional timely for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Thrombocytopenia can make you more prone to bleeding and bruising. This occurs as platelets are necessary for the blood to clot. Decrease in the platelet count can happen because of many different reasons including medical issues and lifestyle choices.
The most prevalent reasons for Thrombocytopenia are :
Bone Marrow Problems: The bone marrow may stop producing sufficient platelets because of problems like aplastic anaemia, leukaemia, or myelodysplastic syndromes.
Autoimmune Diseases: Problems like Lupus and rheumatoid arthritis may result in the immune system striking and eliminating platelets mistakenly.
Infections: Some viral infections including HIV, hepatitis C, and Epstein Barr virus affect platelet production or increase platelet destruction.
Medications: Several medicines, which includes antibiotics, quinine, or heparin, induce Thrombocytopenia by stopping platelet production or by triggering an immune reaction to eliminate platelets.
Cancer Treatments: The bone marrow may be damaged by chemotherapy and radiotherapy, slowing platelet production.
Heavy Alcohol Consumption: Excessive alcohol intake may temporarily impair platelet production and cause vitamin deficiencies that impair platelet count.
Nutritional Deficiencies: Lack of nutrients including vitamin B12, folate, and iron can hinder platelet formation.
Liver Disease: The liver produces proteins that help in platelet production. Severe liver diseases can thus lead to low platelet count in the body.
Thrombocytopenia might usually go unnoticed until it gets severe enough to need medical treatment. Early detection and treatment of this condition require knowledge of the signs and symptoms. Since platelets are essential for clotting, most symptoms are related to unusual bleeding or bruising.
The most noticeable signs & symptoms associated with Thrombocytopenia are :
You may develop large, unexplained bruises from little bumps or injuries that would not normally cause such bruising.
These are tiny red or purple spots on the body, usually on the lower legs. They are caused by tiny blood vessels (capillaries) bleeding beneath the skin.
The blood does not clot as quickly as it does because there are fewer platelets, which is why injuries may bleed longer than usual.
This may be really serious and involve nosebleeds, bleeding of the gums without apparent cause, or bleeding from the digestive or urinary tract.
Females who have Thrombocytopenia report heavier or longer menstruation bleeding than usual.
Thrombocytopenia may cause pink, red or darker than normal urine or black, tarry or bloody stools.
Even though common and nonspecific, fatigue can be a symptom of Thrombocytopenia if it results due to anaemia, another possible complication of reduced platelet counts.
Occasionally, an enlarged spleen (splenomegaly) occurs, leading to removal of more platelets from the bloodstream.
Jiva Ayurveda offers holistic Ayurvedic treatment of Thrombocytopenia using evidence-based Ayurveda. The treatment plans are customised to target the very root causes of the disease, and instead of just treating symptoms, they focus on holistic healing, balance and stability in totality.
Personalised Ayurvedic Remedies: Herbal blends formulated to balance the body’s energies and eliminate the root-cause.
Yoga, Meditation & Mindfulness: Relaxing techniques to improve your mental health and general well-being.
Ayurvedic Treatments: Procedures like Panchakarma and therapeutic massages that detoxify the body and promote emotional health.
Diet & Lifestyle Recommendations: Expert advice on diet and lifestyle adjustments for better health outcomes.
Thrombocytopenia can be troubling because of its ability to result in excessive bleeding and bruises. Ayurveda offers several natural medications to manage this condition by aiming to control the body’s energies and boosting platelet production.
Here are some Ayurvedic herbs that are useful for Thrombocytopenia:
Papaya Leaf Juice: Papaya Leaf is one of the best Ayurvedic cures for raising platelet count. Papaya leaf juice stimulates platelet production and is taken as fresh juice or as an extract in capsule form.
Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia): Giloy is an Ayurvedic herb which boosts immunity and fights infections which can help manage Thrombocytopenia brought on by autoimmune responses.
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera): Ashwagandha improves resistance to stress and also increases immunity, a useful quality in issues of immune system related Thrombocytopenia.
Aloe Vera: Drinking Aloe Vera juice regularly can help increase platelet count. It also helps improve blood quality.
Wheatgrass: Wheatgrass is often consumed as juice and can increase platelet count. Additionally, it detoxifies the body and also boosts blood circulation.
Kutki (Picrorhiza kurroa): Kutki is a liver-protective herb that supports digestive health, indirectly improving platelet count.
Thrombocytopenia may take place at any age, although some types are more common in children or adults depending on the cause.
Yes, many kinds of Thrombocytopenia are inherited. They are usually diagnosed during childhood and may involve genetic counselling.
No, Thrombocytopenia itself isn't contagious; the infections which cause it might be transmissible.
Yes, severe Thrombocytopenia can lead to severe bleeding which is, at times, life threatening in case it is not treated properly.
Managing its causes, like stopping medications which could result in Thrombocytopenia and dealing with infections early on, is the primary key to preventing this condition.
Maintaining a healthy diet, avoidance of alcohol and regular checkups can help control symptoms and prevent complications.
Some types of Thrombocytopenia can be cured completely depending on cause and some require ongoing management.
Light to moderate exercise is safe; activities that could cause injury or bleeding should be avoided.
An Ayurvedic diet for Thrombocytopenia focuses on nutritious and easy-to-digest food items which encourage platelet generation and decrease inflammation.
Regular check ups are essential, every 3 to 6 weeks or as directed by your Ayurveda doctor, based on the seriousness of the condition.
