Understanding the concept of Raktapitta as Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) and vice versa

Abstract

Bleeding disorders can occur due to one of these factors, either due to decrease in coagulation factor in blood or due to increase in bleeding factor. When patient complaining of bleeding disorder from anus (Guda), vagina (Yoni), is encountered in OPD’S, then it is difficult to differentiate whether the disease is Adhoga Raktapitta, Raktarsha, Raktatisara or Pradara. Acute Upper Gastro-intestinal bleeding or Haemorrhage is a common medical emergency and carries a significant mortality. Peptic ulcer disease remains the most common aetiology, but esophageal varices is also a important cause. Haematemesis refers to vomiting of fresh red blood where as Melena refers to the dark black tarry feces both are included in Upper gastro intestinal bleeding. In lower gastro intestinal bleeding we can include ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, internal hemorrhoids, colonic diverticulitis and irritable bowel syndrome etc. but raktapitta is a very broad term if we consider its third type i.e. Teeryakgata Raktapitta. Teeryakgata Raktapitta can almost be correlated to Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP).