Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count)

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Lifestyle and home remedies

By Mayo Clinic staff

If you have thrombocytopenia, try to:

  • Avoid activities that could cause injury. Ask your doctor which activities are safe for you. Contact sports, such as boxing and football, carry a high risk of injury. Other sports that your doctor may ask you to refrain from include horseback riding and downhill skiing.
  • Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all. Alcohol slows the production of platelets in your body. Ask your doctor whether it's OK for you to drink alcohol.
  • Use caution with over-the-counter medications. Over-the-counter pain medications that can affect your platelet function include aspirin and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others).
Treatments and drugs
References
  1. Landaw SA, et al. Approach to the adult patient with thrombocytopenia. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Jan. 18, 2012.
  2. George JN. Evaluation and management of thrombocytopenia by primary care physicians. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Jan. 18, 2012.
  3. Thrombocytopenia. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/thcp/thcp_all.html. Accessed Jan. 18, 2012.
DS00691 April 6, 2012

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