WHAT IS IDIOPATHIC THROMBOCYTOPENIC PURPURA (ITP)?
Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura is an autoimmune blood disorder that affects platelets and hence leads to easy or excessive bleeding. Platelets are blood cells that help blood to clot. The immune system marks the platelets as foreign and eliminates them in the spleen or sometimes in the liver.
ITP or sometimes referred to as Immune Thrombocytopenia, affects children and adults – children often develop ITP after a viral infection and they usually recover completely without treatments, whereas in adults the disorder is often long term.
WHAT CAUSES IMMUNO THROMBOCYTOPENIC PURPURA (ITP)?
When the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys platelets, the condition is called Thrombocytopenia, and if the cause of this immune reaction is unknown, the condition is called Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (idiopathic means ‘of unknown cause’).
In most children with ITP, the disorder usually follows a viral illness, such as mumps or flu. Doctors believe that the infection triggers the immune system malfunction.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF ITP?
ITP may have no signs and symptoms, but when they do occur, they may include:
- Easy or excessive bruising (purpura)
- Superficial bleeding into the skin that appears as a rash – reddish purple spots (petechiae), usually on the lower legs
- Bleeding from the gums or nose
- Blood in urine or stool
- Unusually heavy menstrual flow
HOW IS ITP DIAGNOSED?
ITP is a diagnosis of elimination i.e. to diagnose ITP, the doctor will try to exclude other possible causes of bleeding and a low platelet count, such as an underlying illness or medications. If no other cause is found, then the diagnosis is often ITP. The doctor would generally ask for one or more of the following tests:
- Complete Blood Count (CBC)
- Blood Smear
- Bone Marrow Exam
HOW IS ITP TREATED?
Patients with mild ITP may need nothing more than regular monitoring and platelet checks. ITP in children usually improves without children, however most adults with ITP will need treatment as the condition might become sever or long-term (chronic).
Treatment for ITP may include many different approaches, such as medications to boost the platelet count or surgery to remove the spleen (splenectomy).
IF I HAVE ITP, DO I NEED TO MAKE CERTAIN LIFESTYLE CHANGES?
Yes! You would need to make some lifestyle changes, such as:
- Avoid activities that could cause injury
- Drink alcohol in moderation, better if you avoid it. Alcohol slows the production of platelets in the body – consult your doctor if it’s OK for you to drink.
- Watch for signs of infections and seek immediate treatment
- Be cautious with certain OTC medications – nonprescription drugs, such as aspirin and ibuprofen.