ITP (immune thrombocytopenia purpura)

As the name suggests ITP is immune thrombocytopenic purpura in which body’s immune system is not able to recognize the platelet cell surface. ITP is made of three words I stands for immune in which immune system of our body remove the platelets, T stands for thrombocytopenia means (thrombocyte is platelet & penia is low count), & P stands for purpura (bleeding of the skin or a characteristic type of bruising. It is a blood disorder that causes decrease in the number of platelets that are the essential cells present in the body to form a blood clot during excessive bleeding.

The disease is becoming common in children but can affect people at any age.

What are the Signs & Symptoms of ITP (Immune thrombocytopenia purpura)?

The signs & symptoms may vary from patient to patient discussed below in detail:

Bleeding from nose
The skin appear purple in color after leakage of the blood
Bleeding in the head
Bruises are seen in the joints of knees and elbows
Bleeding around the gums
Prolonged bleeding from injuries & cuts
Bleeding in the mouth
Sometimes blood is seen in urine, stool, or during vomiting
Bleeding in the head
Excessive Vaginal bleeding during menstruation
Yellow discoloration of the skin
During surgeries excessive bleeding

What are the Causes for ITP (Immune thrombocytopenia purpura)?

Immune thrombocytopenia purpura attacks the body’s immune system mistakenly & destroys the platelets that help for blood clot. In children this disorder is due to viral illness including flu or mumps. In adults, it may be due to infections like H.pylori, hepatitis, & HIV, systemic lupus erythematosus, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, etc.

What are the types of ITP (Immune thrombocytopenia purpura)?

There are basically two forms of ITP (Immune thrombocytopenia purpura) mentioned below:

Acute thrombocytopenic purpura: Acute ITP is more common is children between the ages of 2 to 6 years. In this type the symptoms may be due to viral infections that disappear in within in a few weeks or less than six month. It is the common form of disorder.
Chronic thrombocytopenia purpura: This type of ITP can occur at any age & last from six months to several years. In adults this type is more common. Mostly females are affected with this as compare to males.

What is the Ayurvedic view of ITP (Immune thrombocytopenia purpura)?

According to Ayurveda ITP is correlated with “Tiryaga Raktapitta” in which all three doshas (Vata, Pitta, & Kapha) are vitiated. In this disorder the vitiated doshas are circulating in the blood stream that destroys the platelet cells in the body.

What is the Ayurvedic Treatment for ITP (Immune thrombocytopenia purpura)?

Ayurveda is the best way to treat ITP as in allopathic only steroids are given to the patients. In Ayurveda there are numerous herbs present in nature that works on the root cause of disease. These herbs deal with all signs & symptoms related to ITP patients. Chandigarh Ayurved Centre provides a complete kit for ITP patients known as “ITP Care Kit”. This kit comprises of six products that are mentioned below in detail:

1. Noni Capsule

These capsules are prepared from standardized extract of herb Noni (Morinda citrifolia). This is a very good herb as it reduces bleeding problem related to ITP patients. The herb used for capsules preparation show antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, immuno-modulator, etc properties.

Recommended Dosage: Take 2 capsules twice daily with normal water.

2. Curcumin Capsule

The curcumin capsule is prepared from herb Turmeric (Curcuma longa). Curcumin is an active compound present in herb Turmeric. As in ITP rakta is basically impure so these capsules help in removing toxins from the body. The herb used in the capsules show antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, immuno-modulator, & blood purifying properties.

Recommended Dosage: Take 2 capsules twice daily with normal water.

3. Detox Premium Powder

As the name suggests it help in detoxification of the body. This herbal powder is prepared from herbo-mineral ingredients such as parwal pishti, shankh bhasma, giloy satav, sudhyog tablet, sutshekhar ras, akik pishti, jahar mohra, & moti pishti, etc. These all ingredients in combination deal with all signs & symptoms related to ITP patients.

Recommended Dosage: Take 1 sachet twice daily with normal water.

4. Panchsakar Churna

This herbal churna is prepared from ingredients such as Shunthi (Zingiber officinale), Shatapushpa (Anethum sowa), Swarnapatri (Cassia angustifolia), Balaharitaki (Terminalia chebula), & Saindhava lavana (Rock salt) that helps in overall body detoxification. Panchsakar churna helps in balancing rakta dhatu as in ITP patients it is in most imbalanced state.

Recommended Dosage: Take 1 teaspoonful with hot water at bed time.

5. Vaat Nashik Vati

These herbal tablets balance the vata dosha in the body. The tablets relieve all signs & symptoms related to ITP patients. General weakness, fatigue, skin discoloration, etc are treated with the use of these tablets.

Recommended Dosage: Take 1 tablet twice daily with normal water.

6. Plajest Tablet

These are herbal tablets prepared from herbs like Papaya (Carica papaya) & Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia) that in combination increases the platelet counts naturally. It provides good & effective results to ITP patients.