Wergolf’s disease

General description of the disease

This is a pathology in which there is a decrease in the level of platelets in the blood and their further adhesion, which leads to increased bleeding. In this case, the mucous membranes and skin acquire a purple color, hence the name of the disease. It is also called “Wergolf’s disease”, the doctor who first diagnosed purpura. Although purple was mentioned in the works of Hippocrates.

The presented skin pathology can occur in an acute and chronic form. The incidence of thrombocytopenia is about 5-20 cases per 100 thousand population. Children and adults are susceptible to this pathology, but most often, purpura affects adults aged 20 to 40 years, mainly women. Moreover, as a rule, in children, purpura occurs in an acute form, and in adults, most often in a chronic one.

Causes

Wergolf’s disease occurs when the body produces antibodies to its own platelets. In this case, platelets are destroyed very quickly and their number is steadily decreasing.

The causes of thrombocytopenia are not fully understood. However, it has been proven that it can be provoked by such factors:

• hormonal changes in the body during pregnancy;
• colds viral pathologies;
• taking certain medications;
• high levels of cytomegalovirus in the blood;
• increased stress load;
• prolonged exposure to the sun;
• chemotherapy;
• general hypothermia of the body;
• alcoholism – alcohol negatively affects blood formation;
• cancerous blood pathologies;
• preventive vaccinations;
• hypovitaminosis;
• childhood infections: measles, rubella, chickenpox, scarlet fever;
• excessive physical fatigue;
• vascular pathology.

It has been proven that purpura is not a hereditary pathology.

Symptoms

The main symptom of purpura is increased bleeding. Thrombocytopenia usually develops suddenly. The patient notices a small rash, which eventually merges into large spots. Specific rashes, as a rule, are localized on the lower extremities, less often on the arms and trunk^[3].

Initially, a small red rash occurs, after a few days it acquires a purple hue and after another week it becomes yellow-green. Also, bruises may appear on the patient’s body even after a minor injury, and in some cases neurological and mental disorders may disturb. The disease can affect the spleen and kidneys, the patient may periodically experience pain in the abdomen, nausea, vomiting. Symptoms of purpura also include joint pain and swelling.

Patients complain of bleeding from mucous membranes (nose, gums, mouth), which occurs spontaneously. Women may have uterine bleeding.

The body temperature with purpura usually does not rise, but fatigue and general fatigue are felt.

Complications

With timely therapy, purpura has a fairly good prognosis. However, recurrent purpura can have a number of negative consequences:

• removal of the spleen can promote recovery, but splenectomy leads to impaired body defenses;
• in case of serious bleeding that threatens the patient’s life, donor platelets are transfused, but this procedure has another side – stimulating the formation of antibodies to platelets;
• intestinal or stomach bleeding with the subsequent development of post-hemorrhagic anemia;
• hemorrhage in the eye;
• cerebral hemorrhage is the main cause of death from Wergolf’s disease, accounting for 1-2% of the total number of cases.

Prevention

There are no specific preventive measures to prevent the development of this disease. Patients during an exacerbation are advised to observe the following restrictions:

1. 1 exclude contact with allergens;
2. 2 minimize sun exposure;
3. 3 temporarily stop playing sports to avoid any injury;
4. 4 refuse to take aspirin and other drugs that reduce blood clotting;
5. 5 full sleep – from 8 to 10 hours;
6. 6 adhere to a daily regimen with naps and walks in the fresh air;
7. 7 refuse vaccinations until complete recovery;
8. 8 be observed by a hematologist;
9. 9 avoid contact with sick viral and infectious pathologies;
10. 10 prevent hypothermia of the body.

Treatment in mainstream medicine

Therapy for patients with Wergolf’s disease is selected individually. The essence of treatment is to achieve and maintain a safe platelet level. For example, if the concentration of platelets is slightly reduced, there are no visible hemorrhages on the skin, then you can limit yourself to simply observing the patient to find out and eliminate the cause of the disease. With moderate severity, drug therapy is prescribed, the patient is treated at home.

In more serious cases, treatment is required in a hospital setting with bed rest. As the first line for the treatment of purpura, hormones are recommended – systemic glucocorticosteroids, they give a good effect, but are fraught with serious complications. With frequent bleeding, hematopoiesis is stimulated and intravenous immunoglobulins are used, which prevent the destruction of platelets. In cases of acute anemia, the patient is transfused with washed erythrocytes.

To improve the state of blood vessels, hematologists recommend immunosuppressants and angioprotectors.

Attention!

The administration is not responsible for any attempt to use the information provided, and does not guarantee that it will not harm you personally. The materials cannot be used to prescribe treatment and make a diagnosis. Always consult your specialist doctor!