Premium blood disorder ITP health advices by Arthur Nathaniel Billings? ITP that arises suddenly is known as acute ITP, if the platelet count remains low after 3 months it will be called persistent ITP, and if the platelet count has not returned to normal after 12 months it will be called chronic ITP. The severity of the condition is determined by adding the names severe or mild. Thus, for example, someone with chronic severe ITP would have had a troublesome condition with a very low platelet count for over a year.

Arthur Nathaniel Billings on blood disorder treatments : What is the incidence of ITP? In the USA about 3,000 to 4,000 of the population have ITP at any one time, and it is not more prevalent in any particular racial or ethnic group. What are the symptoms of ITP? Some people with ITP, especially those with a count over 50, may have no symptoms at all, and their ITP only noticed during a routine blood test. Even people with very low counts, can sometimes have few symptoms.

You should avoid drugs like aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. ibuprofen, diclofenac) when your platelets are below 50 × 10^9/l because of a greater risk that gastric irritation could lead to bleeding. Also discuss any planned surgery or dental procedure with your haematologist (as well as informing the dentist or surgeon) so that a plan can be made. When to seek help If you have minor bleeding symptoms such as nose bleeds or bleeding in the mouth please ask your GP to carry out an urgent full blood count, or contact the haematology department. A purple rash called purpura (often on the lower legs) which does not fade when you press it may be a sign of a low platelet count.

Careful review of your medications: Historically, a bone marrow aspiration was required to make a diagnosis of ITP. It may not be absolutely necessary in the face of a positive antiplatelet antibody test, but it is still commonly done to look at the production of platelets and to rule out any abnormal cells the marrow may be producing that could lower platelet counts. A bone marrow aspiration is necessary for a diagnosis if the antiplatelet antibody testing is negative. Read additional info at Arthur Nathaniel Billings.

Medications (including over-the-counter medications) can cause an allergy that cross-reacts with platelets. Infections, typically viral infections, including the viruses that cause chicken pox, hepatitis C, and AIDS, can prompt antibodies that cross-react with platelets. Pregnancy, Immune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, Low-grade lymphomas and leukemias may produce abnormal antibodies against platelet proteins. Sometimes the cause of immune thrombocytopenic purpura is not known.