AYURVEDIC TREATMENT OF IDIOPATHIC THROMBOCYTOPENIC PURPURA (ITP)
ABOUT ITP (IDIOPATHIC THROMBOCYTOPENIC PURPURA)
It stands for Idiopathic thrombocytopenic Purpura. It leads to decrease in the platelets level of the diseased person body which causes bleeding as it stops the formation of blood clots.
Normally it’s not a big deal in initial stages but once it comes to critical stage, it leads to excessive bleeding when we have any injury, bleeding in gums as well as bladder.
CAUSES OF IDIOPATHIC THROMBOCYTOPENIC PURPURA
There are many causes of this disease. It is mainly caused due to low level of platelets in the body of the diseased person. It happens when the immune system of a person loses the efficiency of fighting with the diseases. The antibodies whose function is to attack infections, start destroying our own platelets. Medical history can also be a reason for this disease.
SYMPTOMS OF IDIOPATHIC THROMBOCYTOPENIC PURPURA
- Blotches and Bruises:The person suffering from this disease has large areas of bleeding under the skin that will not turn white when it is pressed. Bruises refer to a stage in which when we get hurt, that area changes to blue or purple and then changes into yellow or green after sometime. It is caused by sudden leaking inside our blood vessels.
- Bleeding:Mostly it can be seen in gums or nose. Women can have longer bleeding periods. Diseased can also feel blood in his or her pee or stool.
- Red, flat spots:These are spotted as ate of a pinhead and mostly seen on legs or feet.
DIAGNOSIS OF IDIOPATHIC THROMBOCYTOPENIC PURPURA
- Blood Smear: In this, the platelets of a diseased person are observed under a microscope.
- CBC (Complete Blood Count): It is done to check the number of white and red blood cells of a person and also his platelets are counted.
- Bone marrow test: In this test a very thin needle is used to extract a minute amount of liquid bone marrow and its cells are being checked that is it working normally or not.
TREATMENT OF IDIOPATHIC THROMBOCYTOPENIC PURPURA
1. CORTICOSTEROIDS
It is most commonly used to treat ITP. It is used to raise the platelets count with the help of a pill.
ITS SIDE EFFECTS ARE:
- Weight gain
- Puffy cheeks
- Lower bone density
- Also the platelets count decrease when we stop taking the medicine.
2. SURGERY
If the platelets are not been able to raise by any other methods then only the option of surgery is left. In this the spleen is removed from the body.
ITS SIDE EFFECTS:
Spleen is the organ which is destroying platelets, but it is not always successful. This also leads to decreasing the ability of fighting with infections.
3. ANDROGENS
It can also be used but it is not prescribed to the women as it causes hair growth at different body parts.
4. RITUXIMAB
This treatment is known as biologic therapy. It attacks white blood cells which are responsible for destroying our platelets.
ITS SIDE EFFECTS ARE:
- Weakness
- Headache
- Fever
- Weakened Immune system
So as per our study it can be said that the ITP can be treated with the help of medicines but it has many side effects also.
Now the question arises… What should we do? Should we take these medicines on the risk? Or is there any other method of treating ITP? The all above queries has only one answer that is… Ayurveda.
Next question which comes to our mind is… Why Ayurveda?
Ayurveda is known as “science of life” and the best part of it is that it is totally made from natural herbs and thus there are no side effects as compared to other medicines or surgery.
PRECAUTIONS
The cause of ITP is not known, hence there is no specific way to prevent this. However, bleeding and injury can be serious for the ITP sufferer, to decrease the chances of the bleeding injuries:
- Children should wear helmets while playing.
- Avoid playing contact sports like football.
- Avoid medications like aspirin and ibuprofen as these medications decrease platelet activity.
DIETARY GUIDELINES
FOODS WHICH CAN BE TAKEN ARE:
Leafy Greens:It provides vitamin K, which promotes clotting. It prevents fatigue. I.e. spinach, sea food, collard greens.
Whole Grains: Wheat berries and brown rice can be taken.
Fresh and Natural foods:It contains highest amount of nutrition.
FOODS WHICH SHOULD BE AVOIDED ARE:
Sugary items:Limit your table sugar and honey content.
Dairy Products:It promotes mucus formation which increases the autoimmune diseases. So limit cheese, milk and other dairy products.
Blood Thinning foods:Garlic, ginger, tomatoes leads to thinning of the blood. Therefore it should be avoided.
