Why does the platelet count decrease?

Platelets are small, colourless cell fragments that play a vital role in the human body's ability to stop bleeding. It is also known as thrombocytes, bone marrow cell fragments that circulate and assist in blood clotting. When you are injured, platelets stick together to form a plug to seal your wound. This plug is called a blood clot. Platelets not used in clots circulate for 7 to 10 days and are then destroyed. The platelet count, or the number of platelets in the circulation, is normally between 150,000 and 440,000 per microliter.

Platelet disorders include an abnormal increase in platelets, which is called thrombocytosis. Another one is an abnormal decrease in platelets, known as thrombocytopenia.

People may have thrombocytopenia and not realise it because their symptoms are mild. As a result, healthcare practitioners are unsure how many people have this illness. They know that immunological thrombocytopenia, a similar disorder, affects 3 to 4 of every 100,000 children and adults. Approximately 5 per cent of pregnant women get moderate thrombocytopenia right before giving birth.

When you have low platelet levels, stopping bleeding may be difficult. Bleeding can occur inside your body, beneath your skin, or from the skin's surface. Thrombocytopenia can be fatal, especially if you have severe bleeding or a brain haemorrhage.

Now, what are the symptoms of thrombocytopenia? Bleeding is the main symptom. Bleeding can last for a long time, even for a minor injury. Easy or excessive bruising Petechiae and purpura are small, flat red spots under the skin caused by blood leaking from blood vessels. Nosebleeds or bleeding from your gums, blood in your urine or stool, which can appear as red blood or a dark, tarry colour, heavy menstrual bleeding-all these are symptoms of thrombocytopenia.

Thrombocytopenia can be inherited or acquired. 'Inherited' means your parents pass you the gene for the condition. 'Acquired' means you develop it later. Sometimes, the cause of thrombocytopenia is not known. It can develop when the body's bone marrow lacks platelets or when bone marrow makes enough platelets, but your body destroys or uses them up.

Thrombocytopenia can be caused by bone marrow disorders like leukaemia or an immune system disease called idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). It might also be an adverse effect of some drugs. Leukaemia and other cancers, some types of anaemia such as aplastic anaemia, viral infections such as hepatitis C or HIV, chemotherapy drugs and radiation therapy, and heavy alcohol consumption are some other causes of thrombocytopenia. Some disorders might cause your body to use or destroy platelets faster than they are created, resulting in a platelet deficit in blood flow, like pregnancy, medications, and drug-induced thrombocytopenia.

People with severe thrombocytopenia may have an increased risk of developing some serious conditions. It may cause severe internal bleeding, gastrointestinal bleeding, or bleeding in your brain, which is a life-threatening issue.

A complete blood count (CBC), prothrombin test, and bone marrow test are necessary to diagnose thrombocytopenia. The primary target is to improve platelet counts by treating the underlying cause. Also, using steroids or blood transfusions is the most common method.

If you suspect that you have thrombocytopenia or encounter any unusual bleeding signs, you should see a doctor immediately. You can manage your illness well and reduce its associated dangers with the correct diagnosis and treatment.

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