Platelets or platelets are cells that cause blood to clot so they are needed to protect the body from dangerous bleeding. Low platelet levels (or thrombocytopenia) can be caused by various factors such as chemotherapy, pregnancy, food allergies, and dengue fever. This condition can also be caused by causes that are not fully understood, but may be associated with autoimmune disorders, such as idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura. To treat low platelet levels, you must work with a doctor. Under the supervision of a doctor, you can also try some natural ways that might increase platelet levels.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Improving Overall Body Health
Step 1. Eat a variety of fresh and healthy foods
Diets that are thought to increase platelets can vary widely between sources. However, one thing they have in common is that eating a healthier diet in general is key.
- You've probably heard it before: increase your intake of fruits and vegetables, low-fat protein and whole grains, and reduce your intake of refined carbohydrates and sugars, saturated and trans fats, and processed foods.
- Choose high-nutrition foods that provide benefits worth the money you spend, such as fresh vegetables, instead of low-nutrient foods such as packaged cookies, for example. Provide support for the body to get as much nutrition as possible from the food you consume.
- Eat kiwi fruit. This fruit can increase platelets faster.
Step 2. Increase intake of certain nutrients in particular
Again, the key nutrients thought to increase platelets vary between sources. Work with a team of doctors to determine the best option. Some nutrients that will benefit everyone in general, regardless of blood platelet levels, include:
- Vitamin K, which can help the blood clotting process and has anti-inflammatory properties (inflammation can cause damaged platelets). This vitamin is contained in green leafy vegetables such as kale, mustard greens, spinach, broccoli, and seaweed. Cook these vegetables for a while to retain their nutrients. Eggs and liver are also good sources of vitamin K.
- Folate (Vitamin B9), which is important in the process of cell division (remember that platelets are also cells). In addition, low folate levels can also reduce platelet levels. Some folate-rich foods such as asparagus, oranges, spinach, and fortified breakfast cereals (whole grains, low sugar) should also be consumed daily. Vitamin supplements may also be considered. However, consult your doctor first.
- Watch your intake of omega 3 fatty acids. Nutrients that can strengthen the immune system and have anti-inflammatory properties are contained in fish, seaweed, walnuts, flaxseed oil, and fortified eggs. However, omega-3 fatty acids can inhibit platelet activation factors, thereby reducing their levels. So, in case of thrombocytopenia, omega 3 fatty acids are best avoided.
Step 3. Cut down on trouble-causing foods
Nutritious, high-calorie foods such as processed cereals (white bread, for example) and sugar (cakes, pastries, etc.), are of little benefit to the body and, according to some, can increase inflammation.
- High alcohol consumption can also damage bone marrow and decrease platelet production. So, it's a good idea to limit or even stop alcohol consumption altogether while trying to increase platelet levels.
- Gluten sensitivity and celiac disease (essentially an allergy to gluten) are autoimmune disorders that negatively affect platelet levels. Consider having a medical check-up to confirm this disorder. If you do suffer from it, avoid gluten intake altogether.
Step 4. Try to exercise regularly and carefully
Cardiovascular exercises such as walking or swimming as well as strength training can improve blood flow in the body and boost the immune system. Both will be useful for you to overcome low platelet levels.
- However, you have to exercise smart and careful. If you have thrombocytopenia, you will tire more easily, although fatigue can make you more prone to injury.
- Try to avoid activities that risk causing bleeding, not only external bleeding, but also internal bleeding (bruising). Remember, with low platelet levels, the blood clotting process will take place more slowly.
- Group sports or activities that are prone to impact, such as basketball or soccer, should be done with extreme caution or avoided altogether. Protect yourself from cuts and bruises by wearing well-fitting shoes, using protective layers under clothing, and observing the situation closely in general.
- In addition, consult with your doctor to find out what medicines can increase the risk of bleeding, such as aspirin or other pain relievers.
Step 5. Get enough rest
Sleep for 7-9 hours is recommended for adults regardless of blood platelet levels. Even so, resting and recovering energy will be very beneficial for those who want to increase platelet levels.
You will tire more easily with low platelet levels. So, you have to rest and move (with care) in a balanced way. Consult this with your doctor
Step 6. Meet the body's fluid needs
Everyone needs water, but only a few of us drink enough water. A well-hydrated body will be able to function better, and one of them is to produce platelets.
- The average adult should consume 2-3 liters of fluid every day. So, the long recommendation to drink 8 glasses of water every day is actually quite accurate.
- Some opinions support the intake of warm or even hot water to increase platelet levels because colder water temperatures will slow down the digestive system and inhibit nutrient absorption. At the very least, try to drink water at a temperature that is comfortable for you, or try drinking warm water if you prefer.
Step 7. Stay positive
This step is always useful, especially when dealing with medical problems such as thrombocytopenia.
Calculating the exact benefits of positive behavior can be difficult. However, this step definitely doesn't reduce your chances of recovery
Part 2 of 2: Expanding Knowledge
Step 1. Understand platelets
When you cut your hand with a razor or you have a nosebleed, that's when the platelets will work. Platelets are cells in the bloodstream that tend to clump together and can patch the flow of blood that comes out.
- Individually, platelet cells can only survive for about 10 days in the bloodstream. So, these cells must be continuously produced. The average healthy person has 150,000-450,000 platelets per microliter of blood.
- If your doctor tells you your platelet level is 150, that means there are 150,000 platelets per microliter of your blood.
Step 2. Understand your condition
Various factors can cause low platelet levels. This condition is known as thrombocytopenia if the platelet count is less than 150.
- Causes include immune system disorders (which cause platelets to be attacked), leukemia (because platelets are produced in the bone marrow), chemotherapy (because platelets are destroyed as a side effect), pregnancy (an increase in body weight can negatively affect platelet levels), and several other factors.
- Symptoms of thrombocytopenia include fatigue, easy bruising, prolonged bleeding, bleeding from the gums or nose, bloody urine or stools, and a needle-sized purple-red rash on the lower legs and soles of the feet.
- If you experience these symptoms, consult a doctor and have a blood test done.
Step 3. Work with a team of doctors
If you have thrombocytopenia and the cause is not clear, you may need further tests. For example, impaired function of the spleen which filters platelets out of the bloodstream.
- Usually the cause of thrombocytopenia can be identified and sometimes the best treatment is to wait (as in the case of pregnancy). However, always consult the best treatment for you with your doctor.
- Talk about natural ways to increase or at least stabilize blood platelet levels with the team of doctors who treat you. Your particular condition can be very influential in making the right choice.
- Again, do not try to increase platelet levels without a doctor's supervision.
Step 4. Get medical treatment as needed
While it's a good thing to be able to increase platelet levels naturally, and there's usually no harm in trying, the condition and severity of your condition may require medical attention. These treatments include:
- Treatment for the underlying condition. For example, replacing heparin with another blood-thinning medication if this is the cause of your thrombocytopenia. You should not immediately stop taking the blood-thinning medication your doctor has prescribed, especially if you have cardiovascular disease.
- Transfusion of red blood cells or platelets to directly increase your blood platelet levels.
- Use of drugs such as corticosteroids or other immune-suppressing drugs if the cause is an immune system disorder. The doctor will tell you what to avoid because you will be more susceptible to infection.
- Surgical removal of the spleen (splenectomy) if the function of this organ is impaired and filters healthy platelets from the body.
- Plasmapheresis is usually only used in severe cases causing an emergency situation.
Step 5. Try to distinguish scientific evidence from speculation
There are so many sites that contain various opinions on how to increase platelet levels naturally. Understanding this often contradictory information can be difficult. This is why doctors should be involved.
- Examples of diets from leading organizations that focus on platelet disorders also differ regarding the benefits of consuming milk, for example. This further shows how difficult it is to determine the right steps.
- In fact, there is little scientific evidence to support that certain diets can increase platelet levels. Meanwhile, what is closer to scientific fact is that changing diet can help prevent a decrease in platelet levels.
- Does this mean you have no choice? Not really. This means that you must seek in-depth information, set expectations, and rely on the advice and assistance of a team of doctors.
Tips
- Before trying the methods in this article, be sure to consult with your doctor first. Doctors need to keep an eye on your health, especially if you also suffer from other illnesses that may be affected by overall diet or lifestyle changes. If your health is deteriorating, you may need immediate medical attention.
- Before starting to use certain medications, seek independent medical information to determine their efficacy. Medical evidence includes the results of blind test experiments. In this experiment, half of the subjects tested were given only a placebo pill. Make sure the results have been published in a scientific medical journal.
