{"id":9974,"date":"2019-08-13T06:36:03","date_gmt":"2019-08-13T06:36:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=9974"},"modified":"2021-04-25T19:17:39","modified_gmt":"2021-04-25T19:17:39","slug":"16-known-signs-of-low-platelets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/16-known-signs-of-low-platelets\/","title":{"rendered":"16 Known Signs of Low Platelets"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Low platelets are also known by the proper scientific term thrombocytopenia, and it means that the person affected by the condition either isn\u2019t producing enough platelets in their blood, or something is affecting their overall platelet count. This is usually associated with other health conditions such as leukemia, but it can also happen because of several other reasons \u2013 including immunity disorders, or due to taking some types of medication which drop your platelet count. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A reduction in platelets is a symptom that can be treated, but usually only once the underlying condition causing it has been adequately diagnosed by a medical professional. This is normally done with a simple blood test that can confirm the current platelet count. Where it\u2019s low, a doctor might recommend medication, health changes and combining natural methods with conventional treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are 8 known physical signs of low platelets that you should be looking out for. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. An Increased Frequency to Bruise<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Any signs of an increased frequency to bruise <\/a>should be taken as a serious medical symptom, and warrant an immediate appointment with your doctor in order to have the proper tests done; if you don\u2019t, then the condition causing the increased bruising (or bleeding) frequency \u2013 and it could turn out to be much more dangerous or fatal if it isn\u2019t treated within a proper time-frame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This happens because of the fact that the platelets are one of the components in the blood which aids clotting \u2013 and where there aren\u2019t enough platelets present, the blood will likely lose the ability to clot. This leads to the patient bruising a lot easier than they normally would, and it can lead to further bleeding under the skin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes this is a condition that people would associate with the elderly, but it can happen at any time, and should always be a serious cause for concern no matter the person\u2019s age. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. Bleeding Under the Skin<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An increased likelihood to bruise \u2013 and bruises that spread much further than the area that was actually injured \u2013 can be some of the first signs that there\u2019s an issue with platelets and clotting or an underlying bleeding <\/a>disorder that needs to be addressed as soon as possible.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This doesn\u2019t always stay with bruising alone, but can easily turn into a case of bleeding under the skin. Where it\u2019s caused by low platelets, it extends far beyond normal bruising, and will likely resemble \u201cred spots\u201d or a blood-like rash over the skin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This symptom is common on the extremities, especially on the legs, arms and surrounding body parts, although it can generally be found throughout the body in some cases. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In cases of low platelet count, bleeding under the skin becomes dangerous due to the fact that excessive bleeding (and a lack of clotting) is likely to happen and requires immediate treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. Fatigue and General Tiredness<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Bleeding-related symptoms and signs are usually the first ones that can help to point towards a low platelet count as the possible cause, but they aren\u2019t the only symptoms that you should look for when it comes to your health. Fatigue <\/a>is a symptom or sign that a lot of people will very often miss: When you\u2019re feeling more tired than usual, even when you might be getting more than enough sleep, it could mean that it\u2019s a symptom of something else.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Excessive fatigue that can\u2019t be tracked down to how much sleep someone is getting should always be considered a serious medical symptom, and can sometimes be considered a potential sign of low platelets if it happens together with some of the other symptoms mentioned on this list. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Getting enough rest becomes vital for fatigue, but isn\u2019t enough to treat it where the underlying cause might be a larger medical symptom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Appetite Loss<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Loss of appetite <\/a>is a very common general symptom that can be pinned down to hundreds of different medical conditions out there. What can be said about it as a symptom is that it\u2019s very easily missed (both by regular people and medical professionals) and that it should warrant an appointment with your doctor sooner rather than later in order to find the potential condition causing it?\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you notice that you haven\u2019t been feeling the urge to eat \u2013 or you\u2019ve been eating a lot less than you normally do \u2013 consider it a reason to see your doctor. It might be an early warning sign of many of the conditions that cause low platelet count, especially where it can be combined with any of the other symptoms that are mentioned on this list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Appetite loss can usually be treated as a separate symptom from the main condition with medications that help to stimulate the appetite and relax the stomach where it might be needed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. Changes in Menstrual Flow<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Changes in menstrual flow can signify a lot of things when a woman experiences it, and sometimes it\u2019s literally only a temporary hiccup in your system caused by excess stress<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other times it can signify a few more serious conditions and causes, including the fact that you need serious changes to your diet in order to be healthier, that you have pushed your body too far and need to up your immune system \u2013 or that there\u2019s an underlying medical condition causing it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The low platelet count will affect your body\u2019s ability to clot: You might notice excessive bleeding or bleeding that doesn\u2019t stop, and it\u2019s not only restricted to cuts but can extend to the possibility of affecting your menstrual flow. If you notice a heavier menstrual flow together with any of the other symptoms that have been mentioned in this article, a low platelet count is likely and means you should see your doctor.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

6. Bleeding from the gums<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you start to bleed from the gums, the first thing that it can indicate is one of a variety of different gum conditions \u2013 including receding guns, or recent trauma to the gums which caused the bleeding <\/a>to start. Sometimes when this happens it isn\u2019t a very serious condition, and it might only happen once \u2013 or might be such a simple condition that it\u2019s easy to treat with just a course of antibiotics and better, more careful dental care.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But if bleeding from the gums becomes a regular occurrence, or changes into bleeding that won\u2019t stop, then you have a serious cause for concern \u2013 and you should make an appointment with your doctor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When changes with bleeding happen together with any of the other symptoms that have been mentioned on this list, it can be a likely indicator pointing towards low platelet count. Mention your symptoms to your doctor during your next appointment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. Nosebleeds<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Nosebleeds <\/a>are far more common than most people would think, and they usually happen when there are small veins or blood vessels that burst in the nose \u2013 sometimes due to excess heat or a bout of high blood pressure; they can also happen due to actual trauma to the nose, whether or not one notices it happens. Sometimes even blowing the nose too hard can result in a sudden nosebleed.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have a nosebleed that won\u2019t stop, or you have nosebleeds on a regular basis, see your doctor immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bleeding from the nose can signify a few things, including serious brain injury or cancer. It can also be a symptom that goes together with low platelets and should be considered a possibility if any other symptoms on this list are experienced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nosebleeds are a serious enough symptom to warrant an immediate appointment with your doctor to find out the cause. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. Organ Enlargement<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you are experiencing any symptoms on this list together with one another, or if you are experiencing one of the more serious on this list, see your doctor immediately: There can be a few different conditions which cause these symptoms, and of all of them, low platelets are just one. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The more symptoms on this list you can combine with one another, the more likely low platelet count is as a potential cause: If this describes you, make an appointment with your doctor before the condition has a chance to progress. It can take just a simple test to save your life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the more serious symptoms of low platelet <\/a>count is an enlargement of the organs, specifically of the spleen. Most people won\u2019t notice this as organ pain, but will instead feel it as back pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Any recurring pain or new swelling should be reported to your doctor as soon as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. Autoimmune Disorders<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Autoimmune disorders<\/a> describe a group of conditions that occur due to inefficient immune response. When a pathogen enters the body, the brain sends a signal to the immune system to produce antibodies and white blood cells to combat the invading viral or bacterial infection.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, with an autoimmune disorder, the immune system recognizes healthy cells as pathogens and starts to cause issues associated with autoimmune diseases. There are dozens of autoimmune diseases, from eczema and psoriasis that affect the skin to rheumatoid arthritis, which affects the muscular and skeletal system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the immune system goes into overdrive to defend the body, it may destroy red blood cells and platelets. As a result, the patient may develop a low platelet count. Every platelet has a life span of around 10-days. When the autoimmune disorder starts destroying platelets, it takes longer for the body to replenish the supply, resulting in the effects of anemia in the patient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. Anemia<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Patients with low platelet counts notice that they also have low levels of red blood cells as well. As a result, they have less hemoglobin available in the blood. Hemoglobin is a protein that\u2019s responsible for allowing RBCs to carry oxygen throughout the body. Without enough hemoglobin available, the patient starts to develop a condition known as anemia<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People who are dealing with the effects of anemia find that they start to experience low levels of energy throughout the day. These symptoms of low energy may occur even if the patient has a good night\u2019s sleep and eats a healthy breakfast. When the body does not receive enough oxygenated blood to the muscular system, the patient starts to develop feelings of fatigue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the condition progresses, the patient may also notice the signs of cognitive dysfunction as well. As a result, they may develop slow thinking and brain fog, along with impairment in decision-making abilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

11. Jaundice<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Patients who develop the onset of low platelet count may start to experience disruption of the normal function of the liver. The liver is one of the body\u2019s primary filters. It requires a steady flow of fresh blood to help the organ remove toxins from the body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a compromised position, the liver may start to produce more bilirubin. This compound aids digestion, and when it starts to produce too much bilirubin, the patient may begin to show the signs of jaundice<\/a>. When jaundice starts to occur in the affected individual, they begin to show signs of yellowing in the whites of the eyes. The disease may also affect the skin as well, causing it to develop a yellowish tone.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jaundice is a sign of severe liver distress and requires immediate medical intervention to ensure that the patient does not experience cirrhosis, or scarring, of the liver. If left undiagnosed and untreated, jaundice could progress to liver failure in the affected individual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

12. Internal Bleeding<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Patients who are dealing with the effects of low platelet counts may start to experience internal bleeding<\/a>. When platelet counts fall below the level of 10,000-platelets per microliter, the patient faces a life-threatening situation. Severe thrombocytopenia may cause the development of bleeding on the brain, which can cause death in the patient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is rare for thrombocytopenia to progress this far without the patient seeking treatment for their condition. Only a very few of the people affected will ever reach this stage. Most patients will seek out medical advice as the anemia symptoms start to emerge, and the patient begins to feel tired all of the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doctors use medications to restore platelet and RBC levels before the patient reaches a life-threatening stage of the condition. However, some people in disadvantaged communities may not have access to medical care. As a result, the symptoms of the disease may continue, with the patient not realizing what is wrong with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

13. Petechiae<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As platelet counts drop in the affected individual, they may start to notice the signs of blood vessels losing integrity. As a result of counts under the 20,000-mark, the patient may begin to experience the onset of what looks like internal bleeding under the skin. The blood vessels in the skin may start to burst and causes what looks like a bruise<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the skin recovers, it leaves behind tiny, flat spots at the surface of the skin. These spots are known as petechiae and are a type of rash. When petechiae occur, doctors take it as a sign of a severe underlying health disorder in the patient. The doctor will notice the signs of the rash in the patient during diagnosis, and it’s most common for petechiae to appear on top of the eyelids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Petechiae do not present itching symptoms like other rashes. They typically stick around until the underlying condition receives treatment. After the patient recovers, the petechiae disappear without the need for any medical treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

14. Blood in the Stool<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Low platelet counts start to deteriorate the strength of the walls of blood vessels<\/a>. If platelet levels fall too low in the patient, they may begin to experience the onset of internal bleeding as blood vessels rupture. We\u2019ve already discussed how internal bleeding under the skin and in the brain are related to a low platelet count.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, low platelets can also cause symptoms of internal bleeding in the GI tract as well. Blood vessels in the digestive system may burst, causing symptoms of blood in the patient\u2019s stool. The patient may notice dark red stripes in their stool after a bowel movement. This symptom is a sign of severe gastrointestinal stress, and the patient should seek treatment immediately. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Increasing platelet count and restoring red blood cell levels will help to return the digestive tract to normal levels of health. In most cases, the patient will not receive any permanent damage to the gastrointestinal tract.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

15. Viral Infection<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Patients who are dealing with low platelet counts and low levels of red blood cells may also experience a drop in their immune system function. A weakening of the immune system results in the patient being more predisposed to catching other viral and bacterial diseases. Patients that do experience an infection with a pathogen notice that the symptoms of the condition set on much faster, with a higher intensity in its effects on the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some viral infections may also reduce platelet count as well. If you come down with human-parvovirus, mumps, rubella<\/a>, chickenpox, hepatitis, or Epstein-Barr virus, you may also start to feel the effects of low platelet counts as well. Patients who are dealing with the progression of HIV\/AIDS also experience drops in platelet, white blood cell, and red blood cell counts.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Any patient experiencing a viral infection should seek treatment from a medical professional. Most viruses resolve without the need for treatment. However, patients with low platelet counts may require medical assistance to stop the progression of the disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

16. Prevention and Outlook<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Thrombocytopenia has multiple causes. Therefore, medical professionals must find the underlying cause of the condition. Patients that require lifestyle changes, such as stopping drinking or smoking, may need assistance to abstain from their habit. Speak to your doctor about cessation programs near you to help you quit. Doctors can also provide medications to help you deal with the withdrawal effects associated with alcoholism <\/a>and smoking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patients who are dealing with the condition due to the presence of an autoimmune disorder may struggle with recovery from the condition. As the autoimmune disorder attacks the red blood cells and destroys platelets, the patient may suddenly develop signs of anemia. These patients require treatment with drugs to improve the levels of RBCs and platelets in the bloodstream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The outlook for patients affected by thrombocytopenia depends on the severity of the disorder and its cause. In most cases, it’s possible to reverse the effects of the condition using medication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

<\/div>