TTP is a serious blood disorder. Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a blood disorder that can be fatal if not treated early. How TTP can affect our health and what are their symptoms and effects. Let’s know. Blood disorder TTP. Blood platelets count.
TTP or Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura) is a blood disorder in which platelets cells or Thrombocytes (Thrombocytes) in our blood are affected and the process of clotting in the blood becomes irregular. Due to which the flow of blood in the whole body gets obstructed and not only related to the heart, but also increases the possibility of serious problems or damage to the brain and many other parts of the body. Even if there is no proper treatment at the right time, this blood disorder can prove to be fatal. To know more about what is Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura and what kind of problems TTP can cause, ETV India spoke to Hematologist Dr RS Patil, Bengaluru.
Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura or TTP: Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura Or TTP
Hematologist Dr RS Patil (Hematologist Dr RS Patil) explains that TTP is such a blood disorder in which red blood cells in our blood suffer from damage as well as our platelet count. starts decreasing. Hematologist Dr RS Patil explains that TTP is mainly a problem related to thrombocytes. In which the blood clotting process is affected by them when needed and also becomes irregular. That is, in this blood disorder, excessive amount of blood clots or clotting starts happening unnecessarily, but where and in the circumstances where blood clotting is necessary, it does not happen at that time.
For example, whenever a person gets hurt, the platelets cells present in his blood together form a sticky clot at the place of bleeding, which stops the blood from flowing, but when TTP occurs This does not happen. Due to which bleeding does not stop easily when it starts due to any reason in the body. On the other hand, clots keep on forming in the blood in other organs unnecessarily. In this blood disorder, the quality of blood is affected because the amount of clots in the blood increases due to which the blood flow in the whole body starts getting obstructed. When this happens, the possibility of many serious problems including brain damage and brain stroke, heart attack, digestive system problems and kidney problems increases.
Reasons responsible for TTP: Causes responsible for TTP
A special gene ADAMTS13 (enzyme) is considered responsible for this blood disorder. The ADAMTS13 gene is mainly produced in the liver and its job is to guide platelets cells to form clots and operate that process when there is bleeding from any cause in the body. Due to deficiency or problem in this gene, the process of clotting in the blood at the right time, in the right amount starts getting affected.
Significantly, ADAMTS13 deficiency is considered a risk factor for myocardial infarction, cerebral malaria and preeclampsia. Dr RS Patil Hematologist explains that TTP is mainly of two types, Genetic and Acquired (which is assumed due to some external reason), in most cases Genetic (genetic) reasons are responsible for this. That is, if one of the parents also has TTP, then it is quite possible that this blood disorder may be in their children.
Acquired is a condition caused by certain types of cancer, blood or bone marrow stem cell transplant, any type of surgery, certain types of therapy such as chemotherapy, hormone therapy or estrogen therapy, side effects of certain types of drugs, and sometimes some serious infection or The problem of TTP develops due to other reasons. In some special cases, sometimes this problem can also develop in pregnancy. Risks Caused by TTP – Dr RS Patil Hematologist explains that due to TTP, the risk of certain types of problems increases, some of which are as follows.
- Decreased effect of blood in the heart, due to which heart attack can increase the risk of heart attack.
- Anemia especially hemolytic anemia can increase.
- Having a brain stroke or damage to the brain in some other way.
- Fainting or coma-like condition. Seizures
- Due to less blood flow in the digestive system, other digestive problems including diarrhea and abdominal pain, etc.
Symptoms of TTP: Symptoms of TTP
Dr RS Patil explains that in people who have TTP blood disorder due to genetic reasons, its symptoms start appearing from birth itself. But in people in whom other reasons are responsible for this, symptoms can be seen anytime after the problem is triggered. Talking about the symptoms of TTP or Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura, its main symptoms are known from its name itself, such as thrombotic i.e. formation of clots in the blood, thrombocytopenic i.e. less than normal platelets count in the blood and purpura i.e. bleeding under the skin. Red or purple marks. Apart from this, there are some other symptoms of TTP as well, which are common. Some of these are as follows…
- Appearance of petechiae (small purple or dot-like red spots visible due to bleeding) on the skin in case of bleeding inside the skin.
- Heart palpitations or increased heart rate.
- Whitening of the eyes, yellowing of the skin, jaundice.
- Feeling confused or confused.
- Problems with speech or throat.
- Fever, fatigue and headache.
- Dull skin
- Feeling very weak
- Difficulty in breathing.
TTP Test and Treatment: TTP Test and Treatment
Hematologist Dr RS Patil explains that blood smear test, blood culture, CBC blood test, bone marrow test, kidney function test, enzyme test are usually used to test for TTP. , Protein test and urine test etc. are done. Dr RS Patil explains that immediate examination and treatment of TTP is very important as soon as the symptoms appear. Otherwise, it can also cause a fatal situation. After investigation and confirmation of the cause of TTP, this disorder is treated by medicines, plasma infusion, plasma exchange or plasmapheresis techniques and if needed, spleen surgery.
Dr RS Patil explains that once cured, this disorder can also relapse again. Especially if this problem occurs due to genetic reasons, then even after getting cured once in the victim, there is a possibility of getting this problem again. That’s why it is very important for them to always monitor their health and immediately consult a doctor as soon as a slight problem is noticed. Apart from this, it is very important to follow the dietary precautions given by the doctor and consult the doctor even before taking medicines (anti-inflammatory, pain reliever and supplements etc.) under normal circumstances.
