Immune Thrombocytopenia

Articles

Sep 1

Global Immune Thrombocytopenia Awareness week falls on September 20-24th each year. Organizations and supporters around the world aim to raise awareness of this disorder. On the last Friday of September, join in and “Sport Purple for Platelets Day.” ITP is one of the most common bleeding disorders but many people know nothing about it. Learn more about ITP and how you can increase understanding and awareness about this autoimmune disorder.

What is ITP?

When blood contains a low number of platelets or thrombocytes it can affect the clotting factor. It is important that blood properly clots to stop bleeding where the injury occurs. Platelets are made in the bone marrow. These small fragments within the blood form together in a clot which usually closes off a cut. Whether inside the body or outside, blood needs adequate platelets to clot and prevent further damage. With immune thrombocytopenia, individuals bruise easily, get nosebleeds, and generally have more difficulty stopping bleeding. When a large amount of blood accumulates under the skin it is called a hematoma. The blood may clot partially, but it forms a lump beneath the skin. In addition to a hematoma, ITP presents a risk of bleeding on the brain, although it only rarely occurs.

ITP is considered to be an autoimmune disorder. The immune system will typically spring into action to fight off bacteria or infection. With ITP, the immune system instead begins to destroy the platelets in the blood. There are two types of ITP that occur in individuals of all ages. Acute ITP is short-term, lasting somewhere around six months. Acute ITP generally occurs in children and is the most common type, often seen after a viral infection. Chronic, or long-term ITP lasts longer than six months and usually occurs in adults. Women are also more likely to have ITP than men.

Symptoms of ITP

For many individuals, there are no symptoms or obvious signs of immune thrombocytopenia. There may be no indication that ITP is present until bleeding occurs. Some warning signs which are common characteristics of this disorder are bluish or purplish bruised areas of the skin (a sign of bleeding under the skin), lumps (or hematoma) of clotted blood beneath the skin, frequent and excessive nosebleeds, bleeding gums, heavy menstrual bleeding, or any other kind of bleeding which is difficult to stop. Aside from signs associated with bleeding, a low platelet count may also cause individuals to feel fatigued.

Causes of ITP

As with many other autoimmune disorders, the cause is unknown or not understood. The reason for the immune system attacking platelets in the blood is not known. Some cases of ITP are related to bacterial infection like HIV or hepatitis C. Illness related to a viral infection in children can create an immune response that can lead to acute ITP.

Managing ITP

For some children, ITP will not require any treatment other than monitoring any symptoms and platelet count. Acute ITP will often go away after a few months or sometimes weeks. When treatment is necessary, medications such as corticosteroids or intravenous medication to increase platelet count. Although steroid therapy can be used to help manage symptoms, sometimes individuals experience worsening symptoms once they stop using medication.

The spleen is an organ that is associated with producing antibodies to fight bacteria and infection. These antibodies can be responsible for attacking and destroying platelets. In some cases, doctors might recommend removing the spleen to stop the antibodies from attacking platelets. When cases of ITP are severe, platelet transfusions may be appropriate. Individuals with ITP who plan on undergoing surgery also may require a platelet transfusion before surgery.

One of the most effective ways of managing ITP is through changes to an individual’s lifestyle. For children with ITP, parents often must alter and restrict certain activities. For example, avoiding head injuries is paramount due to the potential risk of bleeding in the brain. High-impact sports such as football, boxing, karate, or wrestling present a higher risk of head injury. There are many activities that are much safer for those at risk, such as swimming. It is best to consult your child’s healthcare provider to discuss the best and safest options for activities. Other lifestyle changes might include simply being more conscious of injury by taking precautions such as wearing a helmet, addressing bruises and scrapes immediately, or avoiding sharp objects.

Occupational and Physical Therapy

Lifestyle adjustments and implementing precautionary tools can be difficult to engage. The role of an occupational therapist is to help individuals with activities of daily living (ADLs) in the ways that best suit their abilities. They are able to address specific situations to help individuals achieve the best quality of life and the highest level of independence possible. Physical therapists can help children get active in the ways that are safest for them. Working with both physical therapists and occupational therapists can help children learn how to create a new routine and be mindful of their limitations related to ITP to stay healthy.

If you, your child, or someone you love is living with or has recently been diagnosed with immune thrombocytopenia, contact the team at Tilton’s Therapy to learn about how our occupational, physical, or speech therapists can help. Register a new patient and receive treatment in the natural environment. Our teams service the areas of Southern Nevada, Northern Nevada, Oregon, and Hawaii.

Learn more about other awareness causes and find new developmental activities you can do at home in our resources section.