Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura, or ITP, is an autoimmune disease in which the blood platelets, which help stop bleeding in the body, are attacked by the body’s immune system. A healthy, functioning adult will have between 150,000 and 450,000 blood platelets but those with Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura have as few as between 20,000 and 50,000. The cause of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura is unknown at this time. This disease affects both men and women with women having a slightly higher tendency for it. It can occur in children as well as adults but the typical on-set age is between 56 and 60. The destruction of blood platelets can lead to the destruction of the spleen.

Symptoms of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

The symptoms of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura tend to not show themselves until the blood platelet count is very low. At that point, bleeding may begin spontaneously; this can occur anywhere on the body but common sights for bleeding are the nostrils and the gums. If the condition progresses to a severe case, one may see bleeding in internal organs and brain, or even a stroke—although this is rare.

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