What are platelets

Blood platelets

Platelets can be defined as small blood cells that are made in the bone marrow along with red blood cells and white blood cells . Once platelets are made, they travel from the bone marrow to the bloodstream, and they range from Its life span is approximately eight to ten days, and then it dies, and new blood platelets are manufactured, and in fact the main function of blood platelets is to stop the bleeding, as platelets collect at the site of the wound in a process known as adhesion, in addition to their ability to recall More platelets to the site of the wound to stop the bleeding. ^[1]

A normal blood platelet count

Platelet count ranges from blood normal between 150,000 and 450,000 plate in each Maikarolter of blood, and it can be said that the case of lack of blood platelet The low platelet count 50,000 plate for each Maikarolter of blood, then a person is exposed to the suffering of bleeding as soon as Exposure to a cut or bruise, but if the platelet count falls below 10,000 to 20,000 platelets per microliter of blood, the possibility of immediate bleeding is high, even without a wound or bruise. On the other hand, some people may suffer from an increased production of platelets, reaching between 500,000 and a million platelets per microliter of blood. ^[1]

Low blood platelet count

Symptoms of low blood platelet count

When suffering from low blood platelet count, it is not required for the symptoms to appear on the injured, some cases may be very simple, as is the case when blood platelet deficiency in pregnant women, and then no symptoms appear, and on the other hand the situation may be very severe and require immediate medical care, and it can be summarized more Symptoms and signs that appear on people who suffer from low platelet count are as follows: ^[2]

• The emergence of a state of purpura, which is the appearance of bruises that are red, brown, or purple.
• Petechia, which is defined as the appearance of a rash with small red or purple spots.
• The wounds will bleed for longer than usual, or if the wounds do not stop bleeding on their own (i.e. on their own).
• Suffering from nosebleeds and gums.
• Heavy menstruation .
• Rectal bleeding.
• The appearance of blood in the urine and faeces, and vomiting of blood, and it is worth noting that these symptoms appear in very severe cases in which the bleeding is internal, and then it is imperative to seek immediate medical care.
• Brain hemorrhage, and this disorder is rare, but in the event that the patient suffers from headaches or any neurological symptoms in addition to a lack of blood platelets , he should see a doctor immediately.

Causes of low blood platelet count

There are some factors that cause a lack of blood platelets , which can be summarized as follows: ^[2]

• Bone marrow disorders: These are health problems that cause the inability of the bone marrow to produce the body’s need of blood platelets, and the most important of them can be summarized as follows:
  • Aplastic Anemia.
  • Lack of vitamin B12, folate, or iron.
  • Exposure to some types of viral infections such as the human immunodeficiency virus (human immunodeficiency virus), the Epstein-Barr virus, and the chickenpox virus .
  • Exposure to radiation , or chemotherapy, or some types of chemicals.
  • Drinking alcohol.
  • A blood cancer known as leukemia.
  • Myelodysplastic Syndrome.
• Breaking down blood platelets: It is represented by the body breaking down blood platelets prematurely, as a result of one of the following reasons:
  • Taking some types of medication, such as diuretics and antiepileptics.
  • Goiter spleen .
  • Suffering from some autoimmune disorder.
  • The presence of a bacterial infection in the blood.
  • Pregnancy.
  • Disseminated intravascular coagulation.
  • Hemolytic-uremic syndrome.
  • Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

High platelet count

Symptoms of high platelet count

There are some symptoms and signs that appear on people who suffer from a high number of platelets, including the following: ^[3]

• Headache.
• Dizziness .
• pain in chest.
• Feeling weak and tired.
• Fainting.
• Temporary changes in eyesight .
• Feeling of sleepiness or tingling in the hands and feet.

Causes of high platelet count

The most important factors and conditions that cause the patient to suffer from an increase in the number of platelets can be summarized as follows: ^[4]

• Cancer, especially gastrointestinal, ovarian, breast and lymphoma.
• Anemia, especially iron-deficiency anemia, and hemolytic anemia.
• Some diseases caused by infection, such as tuberculosis .
• Undergoing splenectomy.
• Inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritis.
• Take some types of medication, such as Birth Control Pills.
• Recovery from acute blood loss, such as compliance with recovery from major surgery or a stroke, and it should be noted that the high platelet count in such cases is temporary.
• Recover from drinking alcohol , from a lack of vitamin B12 or folate, or from making too much effort, and these are all cases in which high blood platelets are temporary as well.

References

1. ^ ^{A b} "What Are Platelets?" , www.urmc.rochester.edu , Retrieved April 7, 2018. Edited.
2. ^ ^{A b} "Low Platelet the Count (Thrombocytopenia)" , Www.healthline.com , Retrieved April 7, 2018. Edited by .
3. ↑ "Thrombocytosis" , www.mayoclinic.org , Retrieved April 7, 2018. Edited.
4. ↑ "Platelet Count" , www.labtestsonline.org , Retrieved April 7, 2018. Edited.