What is the full form of ITP?

The full form of ITP is Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura. It is also known as immune thrombocytopenic purpura. It is a bleeding condition in which the platelet count drops dramatically. It usually occurs when an individual’s immune system begins to work against itself and kills platelets that are required for natural blood coagulation. As a result of the shortage of platelets in the blood, an individual suffering from ITP can easily bruise or bleed. It can affect people of all ages, but females are more likely to be affected than males.

Types of ITP

ITP is classified into two categories.

• Chronic ITP

It is long-lasting, lasting six months or more. It primarily affects adults, with females being more affected than males.

• Acute ITP

It is a transitory or short-term ITP that lasts less than six months and primarily affects children. It can happen as a result of a viral infection.

Symptoms of ITP

A few symptoms of ITP are listed below.

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

Diagnosis and treatment for ITP

Low platelet counts are caused by a variety of medical problems. To evaluate whether the reduced platelet count is connected to ITP, the medical specialist can review the indicators and medical records and do physical tests such as the ones listed below.

• CBC (Complete blood count)

It is a blood test used to assess platelets and blood cells. The count of RBCs and WBCs in an individual’s blood sample with ITP is normally normal; however, the platelet count is low.

• Bone marrow examination

It is done to see if the bone marrow contains adequate platelets. As a result, the test was used for the reduced platelet count to rule out other probable causes.

Treatment for the ITP

• Treatments are given according to how frequently a person bleeds and how few platelets are present.
• The medication works by either raising platelet count or reducing platelet loss.
• Acute ITP usually goes away within a few weeks or months.
• Sometimes drugs are utilised as the initial line of treatment.
• For mild ITP symptoms, no therapy is usually required other than regular monitoring of platelet counts and medicines.
• As the platelet count rises, the number of drugs can be reduced.
• When drugs fail to regulate the platelet rate in severe cases of ITP, the spleen may be excised to delay or stop the loss of platelets.