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Platelets prevent excessive bleeding by adhering to exposed endothelial cells and creating a barrier against blood loss. Abnormal platelet function can lead to thrombosis or hemorrhage, and conditions such as thrombocytosis or thrombocytopenia can be treated with medication.
Platelets are specialized cells that are important components of blood. The primary function of platelets is to prevent excessive internal or external bleeding after an injury. Platelets help temporarily seal a wound site by breaking away from other platelets and attaching themselves to the exposed, damaged edges of blood vessels. The process by which platelets stop adhering to vessel walls to stop bleeding is known as hemostasis. When an individual has an abnormally high or low platelet count due to one of several blood disorders, emergency conditions such as bleeding or excessive clotting can occur.
Compared to red and white blood cells, platelets are very small and light. When blood flows through a vessel, the light platelets are forced to the perimeter of the blood stream, where they surround other blood cells and make contact with the vessel walls. Normally, platelets glide easily along these walls, known as the endothelium. When a cut, puncture, scrape, or internal injury causes the endothelium to rupture, however, platelets work to clot the blood and keep it from continually flowing out of the wound.
The primary function of platelets is to adhere to exposed endothelial cells, providing a barrier against excessive blood loss. Platelets first separate from each other and adhere to exposed areas, where they bind with a chemical called fibrinogen. This synthesis creates the protein fibrin, which forms a tiny, almost thread-like border that prevents blood from flowing through the wound. The seal created by the fibrin eventually dries and hardens, leaving a scab or bruise. Many different vitamins and minerals are important for ensuring effective platelet function and fibrin synthesis, including calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin K.
Blood clotting is an absolutely essential process to prevent potentially serious or even life-threatening conditions. Abnormal platelet function can contribute to thrombosis, which is excessive clotting, or hemorrhage, a drastic loss of blood through an open wound. Hemostasis can be disrupted when certain congenital or acquired conditions affect platelet function or production.
An individual with an unusually high platelet count, a condition known as thrombocytosis, is at risk of excessive blood clotting in the extremities or brain. The clots block blood flow and prevent oxygen from entering the brain, which can lead to strokes or permanent brain damage. A low platelet count, called thrombocytopenia, can cause bleeding and spontaneous bleeding from the skin or nose. When thrombocytosis or thrombocytopenia is detected early, doctors can prescribe medications and treat the underlying causes to restore normal platelet function.
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