Low Platelet Count- Symptoms, Causes & Natural Home Remedies
Platelets are nothing but small cells that circulate in the blood having a lifespan of about 7 to 9 days. It helps in the process of blood clotting by forming plugs in the blood vessel. In a healthy person, a normal platelet count ranges from 150, 000 to 450,000 per microliter of blood. The condition is referred to as “low platelet count” when the platelets drop below 150, 000 per microliter.
Causes of Low Platelet Count
There are several possible causes of low platelet count. Some of them are
1} Liver diseases: One of the most common causes of low platelet count is due to severe liver diseases. Liver diseases increase the platelet count in the spleen which reduces its circulation in the blood.
2} Auto-immune diseases: Autoimmune diseases like idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura cause breakdown of platelets and reduces its number in the blood.
3} Medical conditions: Medical conditions like anemia, leukemia, viral infections, nutritional deficiencies and exposure to toxic chemicals can reduce the production of platelets in the blood.
Natural Remedies for Low Platelet Count
Low platelet count can be detrimental to health and cause loss of life. Hence, it is very important to treat it immediately.
Listed below are some home remedies to treat low platelet count
1} Wheatgrass
Wheatgrass is a plant that is rich in chlorophyll that is identical to the hemoglobin molecule in the blood. Hence, its consumption can increase the production of total blood cell count. All you need to do is simply drink 1 cup of wheatgrass juice mixed with lemon juice daily to increase platelet count gradually.
2} Spinach
One of the best remedies to treat low platelet count is spinach. Spinach is rich in Vitamin K which is required for blood clotting and is used to treat platelet disorders. You can eat cooked spinach, add them in salads, soups, and side dishes. You can also drink its juice by boiling spinach leaves in water and mixing it with tomato juice. This concoction must be drunk twice a day for best benefits.
3} Papaya
Both the leaves and fruit of papaya are known to increase platelet count in blood. People suffering from dengue fever is often recommended this remedy for quick recovery. Grind a few papaya leaves and extract its juice. Drink 2 to 3 tablespoons of this bitter juice every day. Otherwise, you can drink the papaya fruit juice twice daily for effective results.
4} Beetroot
Beetroot contains hemostatic and anti-oxidant properties that can help increase platelet count quickly. It is one of the best dietary methods to treat low platelet count disorders. Drink 2 to 3 tablespoons of beetroot juice 3 times daily. Alternatively, you can also mix beetroot juice along with carrot juice and this concoction can be drunk once daily.
5} Water
The most underestimated element is water. Blood cells are made up of both protein and water. Hence, it is advised to drink plenty of water the whole day to naturally increase platelet count. Drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water daily.
Apart from over the counter medications prescribed by your physician, these above-mentioned home remedies help treat platelet count to a great extent.