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Lifestyle and home remedies
By Mayo Clinic staffIf you have idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, the following steps may help control your risk of bleeding and other complications:
- Avoid platelet-impairing medications. Over-the-counter drugs, such as aspirin and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), can impair platelet function.
- Limit alcohol. Excessive alcohol intake can adversely affect blood clotting.
- Choose low-impact physical activities. Your doctor may recommend avoiding competitive sports or other activities that might increase the risk of injury and bleeding.
- Watch for signs of infection. If you've had your spleen removed, be alert for any signs of infection, including fever, and seek prompt treatment. Infection in someone who's had a splenectomy may be more severe, last longer and have more serious implications than in someone who still has an intact spleen.
References
- Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec11/ch133/ch133d.html. Accessed Aug. 28, 2010.
- Diz-Kucukkaya R, et al. Thrombocytopenia. In: Lichtman MA, et al. Williams Hematology. 8th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.; 2010. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=6238643. Accessed Aug. 28, 2010.
- What is idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Itp/ITP_All.html. Accessed Aug. 27, 2010.
- George JN. Treatment and prognosis of immune (idiopathic) thrombocytopenic purpura in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 27, 2010.
- Blanchette V, et al. Childhood immune thrombocytopenic purpura: Diagnosis and management. Hematology/Oncology Clinics of North America. 2010;24:249.
- Bussel JB. Traditional and new approaches to the management of immune thrombocytopenia: Issues of when and who to treat. Hematology/Oncology Clinics of North America. 2009;23:1329.
- Anderson CF (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Aug. 29, 2010.
- Nplate (prescribing information). Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Amgen; 2008. http://www.nplate.com/patient/pdf/nplate_pi.pdf. Accessed Sept. 7, 2010.
- Promacta (prescribing information). Research Triangle Park, N.C.: Glaxo SmithKline; 2010. http://us.gsk.com/products/assets/us_promacta.pdf. Accessed Sept. 7, 2010.
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