Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura
Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a bleeding disorder
in which the blood does not clot as it should. The
bleeding is due to a low number of platelets, blood cells that help
the blood clot and stop bleeding. People with ITP often have purple
bruises that appear on the skin. The bruises mean that bleeding has occurred in small blood vessels under the skin.
Signs and Symptoms:
The
main symptom is bleeding, which can include bruising ("ecchymosis") and tiny red dots on the skin or mucous
membranes ("petechiae"). In some instances bleeding from the nose,
gums, digestive or urinary tracts may also occur. Rarely, bleeding
within the brain occurs.
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