Blood disorders related to platelets

Did you know that there are various blood disorders that have been identified? Blood disorders can be caused by problems with one or more blood components. One of them is a disease that affects the platelets or platelets. When platelets are damaged, what health problems can they cause? An explanation of the types of diseases due to abnormalities in platelets will be discussed in full in this article.

What is platelet disorder?

Platelets (platelets) or platelets are one of the cells that make up blood, along with red blood cells and white blood cells. Cells in the blood, including platelets, are produced by stem cells (stem cells) that come from the bone marrow. The main job of platelets is to create clots or blood clots when there is a wound so that you don't bleed excessively.

When blood vessels are injured, platelet cells will work together with a protein called blood clotting factor (coagulation factor) to cover the injured area by clotting blood. Thus, blood clots can stop excess bleeding.

A normal platelet count in the blood is 150,000 - 450,000 platelets per microliter (mcL) of blood. In certain situations and conditions, platelets may experience interference. This can affect the platelet count or their performance in clotting blood.

These platelet disorders can include:

• the platelet count is too high
• the number of platelets in the blood is too low or too little
• the platelet count is normal, but cannot function properly

If one or more of the conditions above occurs, a person will suffer from a platelet disorder.

Disorders that occur in platelets are generally caused by genetic damage or mutations that are hereditary. This defective gene can be inherited from one or both parents.

However, platelet disorders are not always triggered by genetic factors. In certain cases, platelet disorders can occur due to:

• cancer, such as leukemia
• certain types of anemia
• viral infections, such as hepatitis or HIV
• chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment
• pregnancy
• autoimmune diseases, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis
• consumption of certain drugs

What are the diseases that include platelet disorders?

Disturbances in the number or function of platelets can adversely affect health conditions. This can lead to various diseases.

The following are some of the most common diseases associated with abnormalities in the platelets in the blood:

1. Thrombocytosis

Thrombocytosis is a disease caused by the excessive production of platelets in the blood. This condition can be divided into 2 types, namely primary (essential) thrombocytosis and secondary thrombocytosis.

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website, what distinguishes the two terms is the cause. Primary thrombocythemia is a problem with an excess of platelets where it is not known exactly what causes it. In some cases, this disease occurs because of a genetic mutation that is hereditary.

Meanwhile, excess platelets in cases of secondary thrombocytosis usually occur due to disease or other health problems. Some diseases and health problems that affect the production of excess platelets are:

• iron deficiency anemia
• hemolytic anemia
• surgical removal of the spleen
• inflammatory or infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis (TB) and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS)
• reactions from certain drugs

Most cases of thrombocytosis will not cause signs and symptoms. However, in more severe cases, sufferers may experience symptoms such as dizziness, weakness, and chest pain.

In addition, people with thrombocytosis are more at risk of complications due to hypercoagulation or blood that thickens more easily, such as thrombosis formation, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), stroke, and heart attack.

2. Thrombocytopenia

This condition is inversely related to thrombocytosis. Thrombocytopenia is a platelet disorder in which the number of platelets is too low, which is below 150,000 platelets per microliter of blood. In fact, platelet levels can drop far below 10,000.

Thrombocytopenia can occur due to disorders of the bone marrow associated with certain conditions, such as leukemia or viral infectious diseases.

A decrease in the platelet count can also occur due to the rapidly increasing platelet destruction process (it can be caused by swelling of the spleen, pregnancy, or dengue hemorrhagic fever). Very few cases of thrombocytopenia are hereditary or genetic.

A very low platelet count can cause internal bleeding which can be fatal, especially if it occurs in the brain or digestive tract.

3. Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)

Disease immune thrombocytopenic purpura or ITP is a condition when the body is prone to bruising (hematoma) and excessive bleeding. This disease is caused by a low number of platelets in the blood.

Common signs and symptoms can include:

• frequent bruising
• bleeding in the gums or nose (nosebleeds)
• blood appears in the urine or feces
• menstruation with excessive bleeding

ITP usually occurs when the immune system turns to attack the platelets in the blood. Generally, this phenomenon is triggered by the presence of other infectious diseases, such as HIV, hepatitis, or bacterial infection H. pylori . In children, mumps and flu are also at risk of causing ITP.

If not treated properly, ITP can lead to other complications, namely bleeding in the brain. Pregnant women who suffer from this condition are also at risk of experiencing heavy bleeding during childbirth.

4. Bernard Soulier Syndrome

Bernard Soulier syndrome is a very rare platelet disorder in which there are small amounts of blood platelets and are much larger than normal. Platelets with these abnormal sizes cannot work properly in the blood clotting process.

As a result, sufferers experience symptoms similar to those with blood clotting disorders in general, such as bruising and bleeding that lasts longer.

It is estimated that this platelet disorder occurs in 1 in 1 million people. Most cases of Bernard Soulier Syndrome are caused by a genetic mutation that is inherited from both parents.

What is the difference between platelet disorders and blood clotting disorders?

You may conclude that platelet disorders are disorders of the blood clotting process. This statement is not completely wrong. However, it should be noted that platelet disorders and blood clotting disorders are two different conditions. What is the difference between blood clotting disorders and platelet disorders?

Indeed, both platelet disorders and blood clotting disorders both cause you to easily experience bleeding or bleeding wounds that are difficult to heal. However, the difference between the two is what causes and symptoms that appear.

As previously mentioned, platelet abnormalities are caused by the production of too many, too few, or an inability to function normally. This is different from blood clotting disorders that occur because of problems with blood clotting factors, aka coagulation factors.

In the human body, there are 13 blood clotting factors. Lack or absence of one of them can disrupt the blood clotting process.

Some examples of coagulation factors are fibrin-producing fibrinogen (factor I) and the enzyme prothrombin (factor II). As another example, people with problems with blood clotting disorders, such as hemophilia, usually don't have blood clotting factor VIII or IX.

How is platelet disorder treated?

The treatment of platelet disorders will usually be handled by a specialist in hematology (blood science). Most cases of platelet disorders are rare. The treatment given will usually depend on the type of disease being experienced.

If you have platelets that are too low, desmopressin, or DDAVP may be a treatment option. This medicine can help increase the level of platelets in the blood. In some cases, people who have thrombocytopenia may also need a platelet transfusion or even a bone marrow transplant if needed.

Meanwhile, patients with platelet levels that are too high may need to undergo a platelet removal procedure, which is known as thromboferesis. The doctor will also prescribe hydroxyurea and aspirin drugs to prevent minor strokes.