What Is Behind Low Platelet Count and Can Anything Be Done?

Feb. 11, 2010 - PRLog -- In short, low platelet count means the number of platelets in your blood are below average healthy levels. Blood's four main components are white cells, red cells, plasma and platelets. Each has a specific duty and works in harmony with the other three.

Platelets are responsible for giving your blood its clotting ability. This allows cuts scrapes and other injury to stop bleeding, scab over and heal. Low platelet count can be dangerous because simple injury could cause excessive bleeding or your blood could actually leak through the walls of your veins and arteries without you even knowing it.

Depending on each persons circumstances this situation could range from unnoticeable to the other extreme of uncontrollable amounts of blood leaking into your stomach, intestines, bladder or even lungs resulting in to little blood in your body.

Doctors recognize these symptoms quickly with a few basic test, so if you are seeing a doctor and he or she hasn't brought these up and you are not bleeding uncontrollably you most likely have noting to worry about. If you suspect low platelet count because of bruising or bleeding and don't have a doctor than you need to get one as soon as possible.

In the worst cases scenario low platelet count could indicate bone cancer, leukemia or brain cancer but this is not usually the case. More often than not less risky conditions are the cause. Things like an autoimmune disease, a slight genetic defect or a dietary problem could be the culprit. All the above can be dealt with by a good doctor, the important thing being the need to get professional help as soon as possible.

A family member had one of the problems mention above. Out of fear of getting bad news he refused to see a doctor until conditions got so bad he had no choice. By the time professional help was accepted much irreversible damage had occurred. If he would have sought medical attention at the first sign of a problem his chances for successful treatment would have been much higher and he might still be with us today. This personal experience emphasizes them important of getting a doctor.

Most the time small things that can be successfully dealt with are the cause of low platelet count. Maybe your life style, a hidden dietary problem, or an allergy or sensitivity. I myself have an autoimmune disease and have had to change the way I take care of myself to avoid the things that aggravate my condition. I have discovered that many simple and natural methods are effective. Many ITP sufferers have also used natural remedies to reverse low platelet count and even increased platelets to healthy levels.

Natural remedies should be taken more seriously because if used properly they can address the root causes of platelet dysfunction. They also have little or no unwanted side effects. Many doctors are willing to cooperate with natural methods so I suggest getting a nutritionally orientated or naturopathic doctor in your court.

Educating yourself and taking responsibility for your health is the most important gift you can give yourself when it comes to improving and maintaining your health. Research everything there is about your low platelet count, its causes, what are the current standard treatments and natural methods that may assist you. Good health to you.

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