Causes

• Example of thrombocytopenia
  
  According to the Mayo Clinic, there can be up to 450,000 platelets per microliter of circulating blood. Every single platelet has a life span of ten days. Therefore, platelets are constantly being renewed within your bone marrow. Medical conditions such as leukemia, certain types of anemia, cancer, or HIV can cause the inhibited production of new platelets. Certain conditions can also cause your platelets to be destroyed at a faster rate than reproduction. This can include pregnancy, an enlarged spleen, blood poisoning and other medical conditions.
  
  

Symptoms

• An example of bruising
  
  Initial symptoms of thrombocytopenia can appear as anemia-type symptoms. This can include easy or overly excessive bruising. You can barely bump into an object and develop a bruise. As symptoms advance, you will develop a condition known as petechiae. According to the Mayo Clinic, petechiae is a type of bleeding that occurs into the skin. The bleeding appears as a pinpoint sized rash that looks purple reddish. If you receive a cut, you may experience prolonged bleeding. Other symptoms include bleeding of your gums or nose, blood within your urine or stools, abnormal and heavier than normal menstrual periods, and profuse bleeding during a surgery.
  
  

Complications

• If you begin to develop abnormal bleeding or bruising, it is important to seek medical attention. If signs of petechiae also develop, seek help. Though it is a rare occurrence, blood platelet counts can fall below 10,000 platelets per microliter. As a result, internal bleeding can occur, even if you haven't sustained an injury. According to the Mayo Clinic, a big concern with thrombocytopenia, is the chance of developing bleeding of the brain or digestive track. However, you are more likely to have complications result from the conditions that started thrombocytopenia.
  
  

Treatments

• Location of the spleen
  
  If thrombocytopenia isn't serious, your bone marrow will eventually replenish the loss of platelets. If this isn't the case, then other options may be necessary. Medications that suppress your immune system may be prescribed. The spleen may be removed to help relieve symptoms of thrombocytopenia. If however, you suffer from severe bouts of prolonged bleeding, a blood transfusion or plasma exchange is necessary. According to the Mayo Clinic, your blood can be exchanged with blood that is full of red blood cells, and if you've had cancer therapy, you may have a platelet exchange to treat severe cases of thrombocytopenia.
  
  

Precautions

• If you've been diagnosed with thrombocytopenia, there are certain precautions necessary to take to not complicate your condition. Avoid taking aspirin, as this can increase your chances of developing internal bleeding, as well as impairing the production of your platelets. Alcohol should be avoided as well. Contact sports, such as football or rugby, should also be avoided. If you're hit hard in a contact sport, you risk suffering internal bleeding.