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Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura – Symptoms, diagnosis, and management
Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura, or TTP, is a rare but life-threatening blood disorder. In this condition, blood clots form in the small blood vessels throughout the body, which can limit the flow of blood and potentially block it from reaching the organs, such as the heart, kidney, and even the lungs. This means it can create serious complications and needs immediate treatment. Here are key things to know about the disease, its diagnosis, and the treatment options. Symptoms and causes TTP occurs when there is insufficient ADAMTS13 available in the blood. This protein is crucial in regulating how the blood clots. With the lack of this enzyme, excessive blood clotting can occur, leading to complications. This condition can be inherited from a parent’s gene or, in some cases, acquired by the person. Some of the symptoms of TTP include petechiae, which are small, flat red spots on the skin caused by the leaking of blood in the blood vessels. Purpura is another symptom in which the bleeding causes red, purple, or brownish-yellow spots. Other signs include fast heart rate or shortness of breath, headache, confusion, coma, stroke, seizure, nausea, fatigue, fever, and diarrhea. Diagnosis The healthcare provider may ask for the patient’s health history and family history to check for any inherited diseases.