One of the important elements that affect the coagulability of the blood and the rate of healing of damages are considered to be platelets. These components of the biological fluid should be contained in an amount of 160-320 thousand units per 1 ml of blood. If platelets are lowered, thrombocytopenia is diagnosed, which causes deterioration in the properties of coagulability and increased fragility of small and large vessels, capillaries.
Causes of a low platelet count in the blood
The main factors provoking thrombocytopenia:
- blood cancer;
- intoxication of the body with heavy metals;
- enlarged spleen, inflammatory processes in it;
- severe infectious diseases (HIV, smallpox, AIDS, hepatitis C);
- alcohol abuse;
- a defective diet;
- some types of anemia;
- impaired functioning of the liver, thyroid gland;
- systemic lupus erythematosus;
- long and uncontrolled use of antibiotic drugs;
- chronic autoimmune diseases;
- leukemia;
- hypersplenism;
- hemodialysis;
- tuberculosis of bones ;
- Fanconi syndrome;
- thrombocytopenic purpura;
- the Chediaki-Higashi anomaly;
- DIC-syndrome;
- exposure to ionizing radiation. For this reason, platelets are reduced in oncology due to treatment;
- toxoplasmosis;
- histiocytosis;
- Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome;
- the pathology of Bernard-Soulier;
- metastasis of malignant neoplasms;
- megaloblastic anemia;
- deficiency of B vitamins, especially B12;
- taking medications that have the property of diluting the blood (Aspirin, Heparin, Quinidine).
If the platelets are lowered in a pregnant woman, the reasons can be in iron deficiency anemia. Also, this condition occurs during menstruation, especially with abundant discharge and amenorrhea.
Clinical manifestations if the average platelet count is lowered
Moderate and mild degree of thrombocytopenia occurs without any noticeable signs, and it is possible to diagnose the disease only when performing a biochemical blood test.
Less often you can independently identify that the platelets are lowered - the symptoms are as follows:
- bleeding from the nose and gums;
- increase in the volume of menstrual flow;
- the appearance on the legs of petechiae (red small points, in diameter not exceeding the size of the head of the pin);
- subcutaneous hematomas, ecchymosis;
- purpura - foci of small hemorrhages under the epidermis.
When observing the above signs it is worthwhile to turn to a hematologist and perform a number of laboratory tests.
How to treat lowered platelets in the blood?
In most cases, special therapy is not required, it will only be enough to adjust the diet. The diet should be enriched with such products:
- meat and fish;
- nuts;
- fresh greens, especially parsley;
- citrus cultures;
- White cabbage;
- kiwi;
- beans;
- carrot.
At the same time, it is recommended to refrain from using various pickles, marinades, alcohol, spices.
In severe thrombocytopenia caused by serious pathologies, it is necessary, first of all, to treat the cause of the syndrome. Depending on the diagnosis, antibiotics, glucocorticosteroid hormones, folic acid preparations are prescribed.
Also, sometimes blood transfusion (plasma) and even surgical interventions (spleen removal, bone marrow transplantation) are required.
It is worth noting that for severe autoimmune diseases, as well as viral pathologies (HIV, chronic hepatitis C, systemic lupus erythematosus) treatment is long-term or lifelong.