Arthur Billings ITP blood disorder health recommendations today? What is ITP? Immune thrombocytopenia (formerly known as idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura) is a medical term for an autoimmune disorder (immune) causing a shortage of platelets (thrombocytopenia) and bruising (purpura). What is the cause of ITP? ITP is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakes the platelets as being foreign and destroys them. It can follow a virus, vaccination or certain medications, but for most people the cause is unknown.
Arthur Nathaniel Billings on ITP 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.
What are platelets? Platelets are one of the three types of blood cell, along with red and white blood cells. Platelets are small and sticky and their job is to prevent bruising and stop bleeding after an injury. Platelets, like red and white blood cells, are formed in the bone marrow. A rough idea of how many platelets are circulating in the bloodstream (platelet count) can be made from a sample of blood. The normal platelet count is between 150 and 400 x 109/L. In many cases of ITP, the platelet count is less than 30 x 109/l at presentation. A low platelet count is called “thrombocytopenia”.
How is idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura treated? Specific treatment for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura will be determined by your health care provider based on: Your age, overall health, and medical history; Extent of the disease; Your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies; Expectations for the course of the disease; Your opinion or preference. When treatment is necessary, the two most common forms of immediate treatment are steroids and intravenous gamma globulin. See even more details at https://www.instagram.com/arthur.billings.351/.
Chronic thrombocytopenic purpura. The onset of the disorder can happen at any age, and the symptoms can last a minimum of 6 months, several years, or a lifetime. Adults have this form more often than children do, but it does affect adolescents. Females have it more often than males. Chronic ITP can recur often and requires continual follow-up care with a blood specialist (hematologist). What causes idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura? In ITP, the immune system is stimulated to attack your body’s own platelets. Most often this is a result of antibody production against platelets. In a small number of cases, a type of white blood cell called T-cells will directly attack platelets. This immune system error may be a result of any of the following.