ITP Full Form

What is the full form of ITP?

The full form of ITP is Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura. It is also referred to as immune thrombocytopenic purpura. It is a bleeding condition in which the amount of platelets becomes very low. It usually happens when an individual’s immune system begins to function against its own body and kills platelets necessary for the natural clotting of blood. Thus, because of the lack of platelets in the blood, an individual experiencing from ITP can quickly bruise or bleed. It may affect all age groups and more frequently impacts females than males.

Types of ITP

There are two types of ITP,

• Chronic ITP

It is long-lasting and can persist for six months or more. It primarily occurs in adults, mainly in females than males.

• Acute ITP

It is a temporary or short-term ITP that persists for less than six months and affects children in particular. Sometimes, it happens because of a viral infection.

Symptoms of ITP

Few symptoms of ITP are listed below.

• Facilitated or severe bleeding than normal
• Bruising places on the skin because of under-skin bleeding
• Blood in stool or urine
• Gums start bleeding
• Excessive menstrual bleeding

Diagnosis and treatment for ITP

Different health conditions cause low counts of platelets. The medical specialist can review the signs and medical records and conduct a physical test, such as the following actions, to determine whether the lower platelet count is related to ITP.

• CBC (Complete blood count)

It is a blood test that is used to evaluate platelets and blood cells. The count of RBCs and WBCs is generally common in an individual’s blood sample with ITP; however, the platelet count is poor.

• Bone marrow examination

It is carried out to verify whether the bone marrow contains enough platelets. Thus, the test has been used for the lower platelet count to eliminate the other possible reasons.

Treatment for the ITP

• Depending on how often a person bleeds and how small the number of platelets, the treatments are provided.
• The drug focuses on increasing the number of platelets or on slowing the loss of platelets.
• Acute ITP often disappears within a few weeks or even months.
• Drugs are sometimes used as the first course in treatment.
• Apart from regular monitoring of platelet levels along with medication, no treatment is normally needed for mild symptoms of ITP.
• The number of medications can be decreased as the platelet count increases.
• In extreme cases of ITP, the spleen may be extracted to slow or stop the loss of the platelets when medications are unable to control the platelet rate.