Low Platelet Count

admin — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 15:54:03 +0000

Understanding a Low Platelet Count

For understanding a low platelet count, you need to know that the blood is made up of some constituents which have a set proportion. Usually, there are some marks which have been established for these constituents and the constituents should always have sufficient quantity in the blood, to ensure that all the functions of blood are intact and proper. Out of these, the platelets are an important constituent which help in blood clotting and ensure that the blood loss is controlled. The case of low platelet count is quite alarming and you would find that you need to pay enough attention for handling the condition on time. There are several causes associated with this problem and most treatment options revolve around the correct identification and treatment of these underlying causes.

Causes of Low Platelet Count

Before you look at the major causes of low platelet count, you need to know that the case of low platelet count is known as thrombocytopenia. The ideal platelet count in the blood is somewhere around 150,000 to 450,000 per micro-liter of circulating blood. Since the platelets die after a cycle of 10 days, your body produces new platelets to ensure that the platelet count is maintained. Most of the causes of low platelet count are related to the lack of production of sufficient platelets in the blood. Sometimes, your bone marrow is not able to produce the right amount of platelets in the blood. This can happen due to various conditions, like anemia, leukemia, and HIV infections and you need to address these causes directly. In some other cases, the platelets might get trapped in the spleen, leading to a low platelet count in circulating blood. Sometimes, there is a rapid breakdown of the platelets in the blood and this can be another reason behind the low platelet count.

Low Platelet Count Symptoms

The low platelet count symptoms are easy to spot and you would find that they pose a danger to your overall health. Excessive bleeding in different forms make up the major low platelet count symptoms and it is important that you handle this condition on time. Since losing too much blood from the body can be extremely dangerous and fatal, it is important that you consider the case of low platelet count at the earliest and give it the right medical attention on time.

Low Platelet Count Symptoms

admin — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 15:49:51 +0000

Dangerous Low Platelet Count Symptoms

The dangerous low platelet count symptoms can be quite alarming as you would notice that most of them are related to a lot of bleeding and bruising. Since the low platelet count symptoms can lead to excessive blood loss from the body, it is imperative that you take care of the condition at the earliest. Fortunately, there are several ways through which you can handle a case of low platelet count and most of them revolve around the correct identification of the underlying causes. There are several ways through which you can have a case of low platelet count and some of them are quite lethal. Therefore, it is important that you look at the major symptoms and causes of low platelet count, just to ensure that correct treatment is initiated at the earliest.

What Causes a Low Platelet Count?

If you are wondering ‘what causes a low platelet count?’, you need to look at the different medical problems that can lead to this condition. Since the platelets are produced by the bone marrow and disintegrated after 10 days, problems usually arise between these two cycles of production and decomposition. Starting with the first aspect of a low platelet count, we know that our bone marrow is responsible for the production of platelets. In some cases, this capability of production of platelets is hampered by different problems, leading to a low platelet count. Problems like HIV infection, leukemia, anemia and other related problems can cause this reduction in the production of platelets. On the other hand, the disintegration of platelets, if increased in frequency, can also lead to a low platelet count. Several factors like pregnancy, auto-immune problems, bacteria in the blood, hemolytic uremic syndrome etc. can be behind this reduction in the production of platelets.

Low Platelet Count Treatment

Usually, the treatment of low platelet count is done through the identification and treatment of the causal factors. This is considered to be the best method of ensuring that you get a high platelet count soon. Apart from this, you can take care of the condition through blood transfusions. This blood is generally packed with red blood cells and platelets and helps the patient in improving his condition. In every case, it is important that you address the low platelet count symptoms at the earliest, so that the right treatment can be pursued at the earliest.

Low Platelet Count Causes

admin — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 15:46:56 +0000

Common Low Platelet Count Causes

The common low platelet count causes are usually responsible for most cases of a deteriorating platelet count in the blood. Such common causes are based on two factors, production and disintegration of the platelets in blood. Basically, platelets are an important constituent of the blood which is responsible for blood clotting and some other functions. These platelets are produced in the bone marrow and their correct production is important for ensuring the right platelet count in the blood. However, these platelets are disintegrated after 10 days of production and are replaced by new platelets for ensuring a high platelet count. Usually, the low platelet count causes revolve around one of these steps of platelet synthesis.

What Causes Low Platelet Count?

The answer to this question, as described above, revolves around one of the two steps. The first step, of platelet production, is an important process and it can be hindered by some challenging problems. Since the platelets are made in the bone marrow, causes of low platelet count can be related to an impeded production of platelets by the bone marrow. Several problems can be behind this and some commonly known problems like leukemia, anemia and HIV are known to be the causal factors. Any of these problems can hinder the production of platelets in the bone marrow and the only way of ensuring a high platelet count in the blood is by taking care of these conditions. The next process of platelet disintegration is concerned with normal platelet disintegration after 10 days. In some cases, this disintegration is accelerated and the platelets are disintegrated at a faster rate. Low platelet count during pregnancy is caused due to this, but this is considered to be extremely normal. Some other medical conditions, like autoimmune diseases, bacteria in blood etc. can be behind this problem too.

Treating Low Platelet Count

For treating low platelet count, you can take several steps. First, you need to identify the right low platelet count causes, possibly by observing the major low platelet count symptoms, and take steps to ensure that the condition is resolved at the earliest. Blood transfusions can also be done, while ensuring that you avoid any major injuries. Out of all these, determination of the low platelet count causes is extremely important and you should take steps to determine and address them quickly.

Low Platelet Count Treatment

admin — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 15:42:52 +0000

Methods of Low Platelet Count Treatment

There are several methods of low platelet count treatment and most of them revolve around the determination of low platelet count causes. A low platelet count can be extremely harmful and risky for the body as this means that any kind of injury to the body will take a long time in healing up and you might lose a lot of blood in an accident. Thus, you need to make sure that you look for the different methods of low platelet count treatment and take steps to ensure that the condition is resolved at the earliest. Before you can pursue any kind of low platelet count treatment, you need to understand the meaning of a low platelet count.

What Does Low Platelet Count Mean?

Basically, the blood has an important constituent in the form of platelets and they are known to perform important functions of the blood. The clotting capability of the blood comes through these platelets only and you would find that a high platelet count would mean that your body would be able to recover from all wounds easily. Since the platelets ensure that there is no excessive loss of blood and the body wounds close at the earliest, the presence of the right amount of platelets in the blood is extremely desirable. On the contrary, low platelet count can lead to several problems and can lead to excessive bleeding from minor wounds too. Bloody rashes, blood in urine and stools, heavy menstrual flows, easy bruising etc. are some other low platelet count symptoms that you might encounter due to this condition.

Treatment for Low Platelet Count

The treatment for low platelet count is usually done in a couple of ways, with a combination of precautions and treatment being the norm. Taking case of the precautions, you would find that the low platelet count treatment asks you to cut down on the consumption of alcohol altogether. You need to avoid any activities which might cause some major injuries, as your blood would take longer than usual to clot. Medications should be taken with care and no such medicines should be used which can lead to a low platelet count. The best method of low platelet count treatment is usually the one which addresses the underlying causes and takes the steps to remove them altogether.