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

Important Information on Dengue Fever

Overview

Dengue fever is a disease spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito and caused by one of four dengue viruses that are closely related. The viruses that cause dengue fever are related to those that cause yellow fever and West Nile virus infection.Dengue fever is transmitted via the bite of a mosquito harboring the dengue virus. Person-to-person transmission does not occur.

Symptoms

you contract dengue fever, symptoms usually begin about four to seven days after the initial infection. In many cases, symptoms will be mild. They may be mistaken for symptoms of the flu or another infection. Young children and people who have never experienced infection may have a milder illness than older children and adults. Symptoms generally last for about 10 days and can include:




sudden, high fever
severe headache
swollen lymph glands
severe joint pain and muscle pain
skin rash (appearing between two and five days after the initial fever)
mild to severe nausea
mild to severe vomiting
mild bleeding from the nose or gums
mild bruising on the skin



Diagnosing

Doctors use blood tests to check for viral antibodies or the presence of infection. If you experience dengue symptoms after traveling outside the country, you should see a healthcare provider to check if you are infected.

Treatment

There is no medication or treatment specifically for dengue infection. If you believe you may be infected with dengue, you should use over-the-counter pain relievers to reduce your fever, headache, and joint pain. However, aspirin and ibuprofen can cause more bleeding and should be avoided.
Your doctor should perform a medical exam, and you should rest and drink plenty of fluids. If you feel worse after the first 24 hours of illness — once your fever has gone down — you should be taken to the hospital as soon as possible to check for complications.

How to Prevent Dengue Fever

There is no vaccine to prevent dengue fever. The best method of protection is to avoid mosquito bites and to reduce the mosquito population. When in a high-risk area, you should:
avoid heavily populated residential areas.
use mosquito repellent indoors and outdoors.
wear long-sleeved shirts and pants tucked into socks.
use air conditioning instead of opening windows.
ensure that window and door screens are secure, and any holes repaired.
use mosquito nets if sleeping areas are not screened.
Reducing the mosquito population involves getting rid of mosquito breeding areas. These areas include any place that still water can collect, such as birdbaths, pet dishes, empty planters/flower pots/cans or any empty vessel. These areas should be checked, emptied, or changed regularly.
If a family member is already ill, it is important to protect yourself and other family members from mosquito bites. To help prevent the disease from spreading, consult a physician anytime you experience symptoms of dengue fever



Source :  http://health.yahoo.net