Thrombocythemia: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

1
Thrombocythemia
2
Thrombocythemia

• Thrombocythemia is an unusual blood clotting
  disorder that causes bone marrow to produce too
  many platelets. Thrombocythemia disorder is also
  known as essential thrombocythemia. Bone marrow
  present inside your bone is responsible for the
  production of red blood cells, white blood cells,
  and platelets. White blood cells fights
  infection, red blood cells carry oxygen and
  nutrients, and platelets ensure blood clotting.
  Blood clots are formed to prevent the excessive
  flow of blood after an injury. The patients with
  thrombocythemia experience blood clot for no
  particular reason. Unusual blood clotting, blocks
  the normal flow of blood to the brain, kidneys,
  liver, heart and other key organs.
  Thrombocythemia is most common among women and
  people over the age of 50. There are two types of
  thrombocythemia primary thrombocythemia and
  secondary thrombocythemia.

3
Causes of Thrombocythemia

• The exact cause of thrombocythemia is still
  unknown. However, the most common cause of
  thrombocythemia may be genetic. The alteration in
  the gene 2 (JAK2) may result in the abnormal
  growth of platelets in the bone marrow. A normal
  platelet count in the body is 150,000 to 450,000
  platelets per micro filter of blood. Iron
  or vitamin deficiency, trauma, infection
  or kidney failure can also cause thrombocythemia.

4
Symptoms

• Thrombocythemia usually does not cause any
  symptoms. The most common symptom of
  thrombocythemia is formation of blood clot, which
  mostly appear in the hands, feet, and brain. The
  symptoms of this bone marrow disorderdepend upon
  the location of the blood clot. Common symptoms
  may include 
• Extreme weakness
• Chest pain
• Burning sensation in hands or feet
• Numbness in feet or hands
• Eye problems
• Enlarged spleen
• Dizziness
• Bloody urine

5
Symptoms
Continue

• Bloody stool
• Gum bleeding
• Nose bleeding
• Shortness of breath

6
Diagnosis of Thrombocythemia

• A doctor will start a diagnosis by asking a
  patient about their symptoms, medical history and
  may perform a physical exam. After that, a doctor
  will order a diagnostic test to know the exact
  cause and the severity of the problem.
  The diagnostic tests will include Complete
  Blood Count (CBC)- To measure the number of
  platelets in your blood. Genetic test- To
  detect if thrombocythemia is inherited or
  not. Blood smear test- To determine the
  condition of your platelets. Bone marrow
  aspiration- This test involves taking a sample of
  bone marrow tissue in the liquid form. This is
  later examined under the microscope.

7
Treatments

• There is no permanent cure for the
  thrombocythemia. There are treatments, which can
  provide relief from the symptoms. The treatment
  of thrombocythemia varies from a person to
  person. The doctor will decide the treatment
  based on the patients current condition.
  Patients who are over the age of 60 are smokers,
  have diabetes or heart disease are highly
  recommended to consider immediate treatment.
  Treatment may involve 
• Antibiotics and aspirin to prevent blood from
  clotting.
• Medications to slow down the excessive production
  of platelets in the bone marrow.
• Plateletpheresis- It is a procedure to remove
  platelets directly from the blood.

8
CONNECT WITH US

• Logon to
• www.lazoi.com
• Like us on Facebook
• https//www.facebook.com/LazoiTheLife
• Follow us on Twitter
• https//www.twitter.com/lazoithelife
• Follow us on Pinterest
• https//www.in.pinterest.com/lazoithelife