Hemorrhagic diathesis

An extensive group of diseases, which are characterized by frequent hemorrhages, in medicine is commonly called hemorrhagic diathesis. Pathology can be an independent disease or a clinical manifestation of any disorder in the body associated with a change in the elasticity of blood vessels.

Classification of hemorrhagic diathesis

By origin, a congenital (primary) and acquired (secondary) type of disease is distinguished:

1. In the first case, the disease can not be cured, but it is well adjusted by appropriate drug therapy. As a rule, the cause of congenital diathesis lies in heredity.
2. The second type develops against the background of infectious pathologies, sepsis , allergic reactions, as well as diseases that cause deterioration of the state of the vascular walls and the disruption of blood clotting.

During the differentiation of hemorrhagic diathesis, it is worthwhile to pay attention to such a generally accepted classification in medical circles:

1. Diseases associated with changes in the properties, the number of platelets, as well as their physiological functions.
2. Pathologies that appear due to impaired permeability of the walls of blood vessels.
3. Diseases that develop due to changes in the clotting system of a biological fluid.

Symptoms of hemorrhagic diathesis

With all the varieties of the disease in question, the main symptom is bleeding. Its nature depends on the form of diathesis.

In the case of changes in platelet properties, such clinical manifestations are observed:

• subcutaneous hemorrhage on the body and limbs;
• bright color of the emerging spots (from red to dark purple);
• propensity to intestinal, nasal, gastric, uterine bleeding;
• burst blood vessels in the retina of the eye, which often leads to loss of vision;
• hemorrhages in the brain.

If the permeability of the vascular walls worsens, the symptoms are as follows:

• a small rash on the extremities and torso of the hemorrhagic nature;
• stomach ache;
• puffiness and uncomfortable sensations in the joints;
• the appearance of blood impurities in the urine.

If the cause of the disease is a violation of the coagulability of the biological fluid, the following signs are noted:

• prolonged bleeding with minor tissue damage;
• hemarthrosis (hemorrhage into the cavity of large joints).

Differential diagnosis of hemorrhagic diathesis

To establish the cause and type of the disease, the following laboratory tests are carried out:

• general clinical analysis of urine and blood;
• coagulogram;
• setting the clotting time of the biological fluid;
• biochemical expanded blood test;
• identification of antigenic immunological components of coagulation factors;
• counting the number of trace elements contained in the blood serum;
• determination of the concentration and properties of prothrombin;
• establishment of a level of the deficit factor (in hemophilia) in plasma.

A number of tests are also performed:

• thrombin;
• prothrombin;
• generation of thromboplastin;
• autocoagulogram (correction samples).

Treatment of hemorrhagic diathesis

The therapy should correspond to a variety of the disease, as well as its causes. Treatment, as a rule, consists in elimination of symptoms and subsequent correction of the patient's condition.

The following medicines are used:

• rutin;
• vitamin PP, K and C;
• iron-containing preparations;
• corticosteroids (with thrombocytopenic purpura and vasculitis).

An important role is played by adherence to the prescribed diet, exercise therapy, hydrotherapy and physiotherapy.

In severe and frequent bleeding, surgical intervention is sometimes used ( removal of the spleen , cleaning of joint cavities from blood, puncture).