How to Increase Platelets in Blood

Dangerous bleeding can occur both internally and externally if there are not enough platelets to do their function. A low platelet count is referred to as thrombocytopenia. Occasionally a person is diagnosed with a low platelet count and needs to learn how to increase platelets in the body. Remedies for a low platelet count may include dietary changes, medications, surgery, or transfusions. However, before you begin any of these treatments, you should contact your doctor to determine if you have a low platelet count.

 Visit a doctor, and get blood tests and a physical exam to determine your platelet level.

• A normal platelet range is 150,000 to 450,000 platelets per micro-litre of blood.
• During a physical exam, a doctor may looks for signs of bleeding such as bruises or small, red spots on the skin called petechiae.

 Know the causes of a low platelet count.

These causes may include pregnancy and childbirth, hemorrhages, reduced production and increased breakdown of platelets, autoimmune diseases, and bacteria in the blood. Other instances such as cancers, chicken pox, and radiation may reduce the productions of platelets.

• Other instances such as cancers, chicken pox, and radiation may reduce the productions of platelets. Platelets already in the blood can be destroyed by medications, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis.

 Treat the underlying cause of the thrombocytopenia to increase platelet count.

Sometimes this is as simple as discontinuing or changing a medication. If related to pregnancy, the platelet count will usually increase within a few weeks of giving birth. Other occurrences, such as an autoimmune disease, may require you to take other measures to help increase the low platelet count.

 Supplement your diet with vitamin B12 and folate, or eat foods high in these vitamins.

Vitamin B12 and folate are important in the production of blood elements including platelets.

• Foods such a spinach, citrus fruits, and dried beans are high in folate, while eggs, milk, cheese, liver, and mutton are high in vitamin B12.

 Get a platelet transfusion.

If you fall below a certain platelet count on several blood tests, a doctor may recommend a blood transfusion to reduce the chance of complications.

 Remove the spleen.

If plates are trapped in the spleen and this is the cause of the low platelet count, your doctor may recommend a splenectomy (removal of the spleen).

• A splenectomy has a 66 percent success rate for increasing platelets in the blood. However, the surgery may fail over time and thrombocytopenia may return.
• People under the age of 40 who undergo a splenectomy have a better chance of increasing their platelet count.

 Reduce or eliminate alcohol consumption.

Platelets decrease in production when alcohol is present in the blood.

 Reduce activities that might cause bleeding.

This may include contact sports or other hobbies where the chance of injury is relatively high.

 Ask your doctor about over-the-counter pain medications containing aspirin or ibuprofen.

These medications may inhibit platelet production.

Source : http://www.wikihow.com

Useful Information on Dengue Fever pronounced DENG-gay

Dengue fever facts

•     Dengue fever is a disease caused by a family of viruses that are transmitted by mosquitoes.
•     Symptoms such as headache, fever, exhaustion, severe joint and muscle pain, swollen glands (lymphadenopathy), and rash. The presence (the "dengue triad") of fever, rash, and headache (and other pains) is particularly characteristic of dengue fever.
•     Dengue is prevalent throughout the tropics and subtropics. Outbreaks have occurred recently in the Caribbean, including Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Cuba, and in Paraguay in South America, and Costa Rica in Central America.
•     Because dengue fever is caused by a virus, there is no specific medicine or antibiotic to treat it. For typical dengue fever, the treatment is purely concerned with relief of the symptoms (symptomatic).
•     The acute phase of the illness with fever and myalgias lasts about one to two weeks.
•     Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) is a specific syndrome that tends to affect children under 10 years of age. It causes abdominal pain, hemorrhage (bleeding), and circulatory collapse (shock).
•     The prevention of dengue fever requires control or eradication of the mosquitoes carrying the virus that causes dengue.
•     There is currently no vaccine available for dengue fever.

What is dengue fever?

Dengue fever is a disease caused by a family of viruses that are transmitted by mosquitoes. It is an acute illness of sudden onset that usually follows a benign course with symptoms such as headache, fever, exhaustion, severe muscle and joint pain, swollen glands (lymphadenopathy), and rash. The presence (the "dengue triad") of fever, rash, and headache (and other pains) is particularly characteristic of dengue. Other signs of dengue fever include bleeding gums, severe pain behind the eyes, and red palms and soles.

Dengue (pronounced DENG-gay) can affect anyone but tends to be more severe in people with compromised immune systems. Because it is caused by one of four serotypes of virus, it is possible to get dengue fever multiple times. However, an attack of dengue produces immunity for a lifetime to that particular serotype to which the patient was exposed.

Dengue goes by other names, including "breakbone" or "dandy fever." Victims of dengue often have contortions due to the intense joint and muscle pain, hence the name breakbone fever. Slaves in the West Indies who contracted dengue were said to have dandy fever because of their postures and gait.

Dengue hemorrhagic fever is a more severe form of the viral illness. Symptoms include headache, fever, rash, and evidence of hemorrhage in the body. Petechiae (small red or purple splotches or blisters under the skin), bleeding in the nose or gums, black stools, or easy bruising are all possible signs of hemorrhage. This form of dengue fever can be life-threatening and can progress to the most severe form of the illness, dengue shock syndrome.

What is the treatment for dengue fever?

Because dengue fever is caused by a virus, there is no specific medicine or antibiotic to treat it. For typical dengue, the treatment is purely concerned with relief of the symptoms. Rest and fluid intake for adequate hydration is important. Aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs should only be taken under a doctor's supervision because of the possibility of worsening bleeding complications. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and codeine may be given for severe headache and for joint and muscle pain (myalgia).

What is the prognosis for typical dengue fever?

Typical dengue is fatal in less than 1% of cases. The acute phase of the illness with fever and myalgias lasts about one to two weeks. Convalescence is accompanied by a feeling of weakness (asthenia), and full recovery often takes several weeks.

Source : http://www.medicinenet.com/