The problem with the early warning signs of immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is that you might be unable to give much thought to the symptoms. Some people experience no symptoms, which makes it difficult to diagnose. The symptoms exhibited depend on the platelet count. The lower the platelet the higher the chance of bleeding, either internally and externally. Ignoring the early warning signs of immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) could lead to various complications.
These complications can include the following:
1. Fatigue
You might experience tiredness that is causing distress in your normal day-to-day life. You might feel tired even if you don’t do something that is physically demanding. If this is the case then it can be a complication of ITP. Tiredness can be due to anemia caused by ITP or due to platelet count that is too low.
2. Infections
You can have infections if you have untreated ITP. People who had their spleen removed are at a higher risk of different types of infections. You should be aware of infection symptoms. These are headaches, stiff neck, sudden tiredness, breathing difficulty, chills, high fever, body aches, and symptoms that resemble the flu.
3. Internal bleeding
You might experience internal bleeding which is one of the complications of untreated ITP. If the bleeding is uncontrolled then it can lead to brain hemorrhage. However, the chances of brain hemorrhage are much lower. It can only occur if the platelet count is less than 20,000. Another form of internal bleeding is gastrointestinal bleeding.
4. Wounds that don’t heal
You might notice that you have wounds and cuts that won’t heal properly. You might notice excessive bleeding. The reason is that there aren’t sufficient numbers of platelets to stop your body from losing blood. This is why you might continue to bleed for a longer time than usual. Even when you apply bandages, the bleeding might continue.
5. Anemia
Anemia is a complication that can occur if you ignore the early warning signs of immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). If a woman has untreated ITP then she might experience heavier menstruation than usual which can lead to blood loss. This can cause anemia. When you experience blood loss due to injury then it can increase the risk of anemia.
6. Lower life expectancy
You might have a lower life expectancy if your platelet count is below 20,000. Only one in 10 people have this condition. The reason they have a lower life expectancy is because they are at a higher risk of having serious infections and excessive bleeding. Other life expectancy factors include medical history, age, and health.
7. Bruising easily
You might experience bruising more easily than usual. Sometimes even if you don’t do anything you might notice bruising after you wake up in the morning. Bruising is the result of bleeding that doesn’t stop. If you ensure that you don’t get hurt but you still notice that you are bruising more than normal then you should contact a doctor.
If you ignore the early warning signs of immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and don’t get treatment on time then you might develop complications. If you ever have symptoms that might indicate ITP then it is best if you get yourself checked and treated before things get worse for you. You can ask your doctor about ways to reduce the chances of you having complications from ITP that is untreated.
