Platelets
Platelets are one of the blood cell types. They are the smallest of the three main types of blood cells: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Platelets are manufactured in the bone marrow and then transferred to the blood. The role of blood platelets in maintaining the degree of blood thinness within the natural limits, and thus protects the body from the bleeding that may be exposed in the event of lack of platelets, or coagulation and clots that may occur in the event of high, and when the human body is exposed to any wound, The assembly in the place of bleeding and the formation of blood clot, to form a barrier to stop bleeding.
Natural Census of Platelets
The normal range of blood platelet counts ranges from 150 000 to 450 thousand per μl, while over 450,000 per μl is a rise in thrombocytosis, and if less than 150,000 per microliter, Platelet count (Thrombocytopenia).
Lower blood platelets in the body
If blood platelet counts decrease, the risk of hemorrhage increases. This probability varies from one person to another in proportion to the degree of decline in plate counts. The condition may range from simple to no severe to severe and may lead to death if not. Treat them.
Causes of platelet insufficiency
As mentioned previously, platelets are manufactured in the bone marrow. Since the platelet life span is only 10 days, the bone marrow provides the blood with platelets continuously to keep its rate within the normal limit. The decrease in the number of platelets occurs for several reasons, Or as a result of taking medication, or the presence of a particular disease, and regardless of the problem that led to the decrease of platelets, it will fall within one of the following three causes:
- The platelet is confined to the spleen, where the spleen contributes to blood filtration and purification of microbes and bacteria. In some cases, the spleen may be confined to the blood platelets, thus reducing its blood count, hence the lack of platelets.
- This is due to a problem that affects the work of the bone marrow, the main product of platelets, such as leukemia, some types of anemia, or the infection of some viruses such as hepatitis virus or HIV, as well as chronic drinking For alcohol, take some chemical drugs, or radiation therapy.
- The increase in breaking down blood platelets rate, in some cases, the body destroying platelets at a rate higher than their rate of production, leading to shortages in the blood, and these cases: pregnancy, or incidence of bacterial infection in blood, or infection with few purpura platelet thrombotic, or disorder Self-immunity, or uremic hemolytic syndrome, as well as some medications.
Platelet deficiency symptoms
There are many symptoms of lack of platelets, which are simple, including life-threatening, and either symptoms are indicative of apparent bleeding, or the presence of internal bleeding, including:
- Frequent bruising on the skin.
- Surface bleeding in the skin appears in the form of patches of red-purple dot matrix.
- Prolonged bleeding from wounds, do not heal quickly.
- Bleeding gums or nose.
- Blood in urine or feces.
- Unusual abundance of menstruation.
Treatment of platelet insufficiency
In fact, treatment is not necessary in cases where the lack of platelets is simple and has no symptoms, while treatment becomes binding in cases where platelet insufficiency is severe or if the patient experiences bleeding. In general, treatment of plaque deficiency depends, inter alia, on:
- Identify the main disease or problem that caused platelet insufficiency. The cause may be the presence of a particular disease, or the treatment of drugs that affect the work of platelets and their production.
- The use of drugs to raise the rate of platelets in the blood, such as corticosteroids, in special cases given immunosuppressants, such as immunoglobulins, or rituximab, which reduces the immune attacks on platelets.
- Blood transfusion or platelets, this method is used to treat patients with persistent bleeding, or those who have a massive lack of platelet count.
- The spleen is removed, and the doctor resorts to this step when other methods fail to treat acute platelet insufficiency.
Foods that help relieve plaque deficiency
Some foods help relieve and treat minor cases of platelet insufficiency.
- pomegranate : It contains a large amount of iron, in addition to many vitamins important to the body, and thus helps to fight the lack of platelets when taken regularly, either in its usual form or in the form of juice.
- Milk and milk products : It is a rich source of calcium, and helps the body to produce platelets, where calcium enters with vitamin K in the process of platelet production, and maintain the rate within the normal level.
- Foods rich in folic acid : Folic acid is a very important component of normal cell division in the body and is therefore an important factor for treating platelet insufficiency. Folic acid deficiency can lead to inhibition of platelet production in the body, so adults should get 400 milligrams of folic acid Daily by eating different foods. Foods rich in folic acid include: orange juice, spinach, chickpeas, beans, and fortified grains.
- Protein foods : They are rich sources of zinc and vitamin B12, and protein-rich foods are important to reduce the effect of lack of platelets on the body, and chicken, fish and beef are among the most important foods.
- Foods rich in vitamin K. : Vitamin K is an important element in the process of stopping bleeding, and lack or availability of a few makes the process of stopping bleeding is difficult, and the food rich in it: liver, eggs, turnip, and green leaves in various forms.
- Whale liver oil, flaxseed oil, and vitamin A-rich foods Like the islands. Is an important food for the body, which helps to fight the shortage of platelets.
Preventive tips for people with platelet insufficiency
A person with a lack of platelets is advised to follow some preventive measures, including:
- Use a soft toothbrush to avoid bleeding gums, how much to avoid using dental floss, and toothpicks to clean the teeth.
- Avoid violent exercise and activities that may expose a person to bleeding, such as boxing, football and others.
- Stay away from drinking alcohol.
- Be careful when using sharp tools, such as knives, scissors, etc.
- Avoid taking any medicines without consulting your doctor, especially blood-soluble drugs such as aspirin, painkillers such as ibuprofen and others.
- As mentioned earlier, some bacterial and viral infections may lead to platelet insufficiency, so it is important to avoid any source of microbes and infections, and a healthy diet; to maintain immunity to the body, and help fight disease.