Where people with ITP, healthcare professionals, and caregivers get and give advice.
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carry a lot of tissues.
Sue
Living with ITP Age: 33 Female
0
Open up about about ITP. Many people don't know what ITP can do to a body so it's good to speak about it. Also helps you in the future.
Sue
Living with ITP Age: 32 Female
1
QUESTION OF THE DAY:
Do you try to cover up bruises and petechiae from ITP? Help others do the same by sharing your go-to tips.
Eat a Mediterranean diet, meaning mostly fruits and vegetables and lean protein like chicken and fish. Limit the amount of pork, red meat, and processed foods you ea ... read more
Wendy Ellis, ND
Seattle-based practitioner Healthcare provider for ITP Female
2
Check blood counts often.
Living with ITP Age: 39 Male More than 5 years
4
Try to plan the day in advance and have moments for rest scheduled
Sue
Care Partner for ITP Age: 32 Female
0
With any autoimmune disorder, including ITP, it's really important that we know all the medications and supplements you are taking. There is a hesitancy to share thi ... read more
Jenny Bennett, ND
Aria Integrative in Seattle; www.ariaintegrative.com Healthcare provider for ITP Female
3
If you have a low platelet count, I don’t think it’s the best thing to go out and play tackle football. At the same time, even if your platelet count is very low, th ... read more
Terry B. Gernsheimer, MD
Hematologist and professor of medicine and hematology at UW Medicine in Seattle Healthcare provider for ITP
4
Fast Fact
ITP is relatively rare, affecting an estimated 9.5 out of every 100,000 adults in the U.S.
National Organization for Rare Disorders
<p>ITP is relatively rare, affecting an estimated 9.5 out of every 100,000 adults in the U.S. </p>Having a good foundation of wellness and nutrition and managing stress is essential for anyone who has an autoimmune disease like ITP because all lifestyle issues im ... read more
Wendy Ellis, ND
Seattle-based practitioner Healthcare provider for ITP Female
3
If you have ITP, carry a medical alert card in your wallet that says what you have and whom to contact in case of emergency. If you're not someone who has a wallet w ... read more
Terry B. Gernsheimer, MD
Hematologist and professor of medicine and hematology at UW Medicine in Seattle Healthcare provider for ITP
3
If you have a bleeding disorder, don’t take over-the-counter medication like aspirin or NSAIDs (like Motrin) because they can inhibit platelet function and make blee ... read more
Samuel M. Silver, MD, PhD
Castle Connolly Top Doctor; Assistant Dean for Research, Professor of Internal Medicine/Hematology-Oncology, University of Michigan Medical School Healthcare provider for ITP Male
3
If you suffer from frequent nosebleeds, running a humidifier and using saline (salt) nasal sprays to moisten the nasal lining can help reduce the frequency.
Samuel M. Silver, MD, PhD
Castle Connolly Top Doctor; Assistant Dean for Research, Professor of Internal Medicine/Hematology-Oncology, University of Michigan Medical School Healthcare provider for ITP Male
4
If you’re constantly anxious, your immune system is not going to be working at its best. And we want the immune system to be as calm and regulated as it can be, beca ... read more
Claudia Tellez, MD
Hematologist and oncologist at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago Healthcare provider for ITP
3
ITP knocks down platelets … people who have been diagnosed with ITP always want to know how to make more platelets….but you can’t really eat more papaya (or any othe ... read more
Ginger Hultin, RD
ChampagneNutrition, Seattle; Spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Healthcare provider for ITP Female
5
Enjoy life and think less of your illness.
Rosel
Living with ITP Age: 18 Female More than 5 years
3
Be careful not to bump into doorways, sharp corners, etc. Having ITP means it's easy to bruise. I have found that "rubbing" the spot if you bump it does help. The ol ... read more
Care Partner for ITP Age: 90 Female
4
If you have ITP, the most important thing you can do is tell your healthcare provider about every medication you take -- including supplements and over-the-counter m ... read more
Gwen Nichols, MD
Chief Medical Officer of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Healthcare provider for ITP Female
4
Fast Fact
ITP can be chronic or acute, but adults are more likely to develop the chronic type.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
<p>ITP can be chronic or acute, but adults are more likely to develop the chronic type.</p>It has been two years since my son's diagnosis and he is now considered a "chronic ITP patient." This has been a life-changing event for my son as well as for my hus ... read more
EvanJace
Care Partner for ITP Age: 30 Female
3
Use a platelet tracker to keep track of your platelet counts.
Living with ITP Age: 45
5
Poll
Does food help you manage ITP?
Common signs of low platelet counts (ITP) are frequent nosebleeds, blood blisters in the mouth, easy “bruise-ability” (black and blue marks), and a petechial rash (t ... read more
Samuel M. Silver, MD, PhD
Castle Connolly Top Doctor; Assistant Dean for Research, Professor of Internal Medicine/Hematology-Oncology, University of Michigan Medical School Healthcare provider for ITP Male
4