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Key Points
- Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a
bleeding condition in which the blood doesnt clot as it should. This is
due to a low number of blood cells called platelets.
- Platelets circulate through the blood vessels and
help stop bleeding by sticking together (clotting) to seal small cuts or
breaks.
- In most cases, the bodys immune system is
thought to cause ITP. Normally your immune system helps your body fight off
infections and diseases, but if you have ITP, your immune system attacks and
destroys its own plateletsfor an unknown reason.
- ITP can affect children and adults of all ages.
More women than men get ITP.
- There are two types of ITP. Acute ITP is usually
a short-term illness that usually affects children and often occurs after a
viral infection. Most children get well quickly without any treatment. Adults
most often have long-lasting (chronic) ITP. Symptoms can vary a great deal, and
some adults who have mild ITP dont need treatment.
- People with ITP may have signs of bleeding, such
as bruises (purpura) that appear for no reason or tiny red dots (petechiae)
that are visible on the skin.
- Bleeding in ITP also occurs in the form of
nosebleeds, bleeding gums, heavy menstrual bleeding, or other bleeding
thats hard to stop. Bleeding in the brain as a result of ITP is very
rare, but can be life threatening when it occurs.
- ITP is diagnosed based on your medical history, a
physical exam, and results from blood tests.
- Treatment depends on the type and severity of the
illness. Those who have more severe symptoms are usually first treated with
medicines such as steroids.
- The spleen is sometimes removed if treatment with
medicine fails to keep the platelet level high enough to prevent bleeding.
- You cant prevent ITP, but you can prevent
its complications. Avoid medicines that can affect your platelets (such as
aspirin and ibuprofen), protect yourself from injuries that can cause bruising
or bleeding, and seek treatment if any signs of infection develop.
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