Blood thinners such as warfarin, heparin, and aspirin can cause you to bleed and get bruises more often. Steroids and some cancer drugs (chemotherapy and targeted therapy) may also lower your platelet levels, which can cause you to bleed and get bruises more than you usually do. A hematoma is a large pool of blood that may come from a serious injury, such as a major fall or a car accident.
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As you age, your skin gets thinner and you lose some of the layer of fat that cushions your blood vessels and protects you from injury. Both of these things mean you may get more bruises, even from a minor bump. Some herbs and supplements can cause you to bleed more easily, either when used alone or in combination with other medications. It’s possible that this can cause you to bruise more easily as a result of platelet function and other changes.
- Mast cell activation syndrome also can occur, with related symptoms and conditions that include irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, allergic responses, and other variants.
- This means that the toxins in alcohol, including acetaldehyde, can build up in your body.
- In general, people with darker skin and hair will have darker-colored bruises.
- Easy bruising can indicate low iron levels but there are a number of other potential causes.
Healthy aging
- Ditto if they start to appear after you’ve started a new medication.
- We provide online medication assisted treatment for alcohol use, so you can begin your recovery from home.
- Some people may also experience night sweats due to alcohol withdrawal syndrome or alcohol intolerance.
- Either the abuser or the person being abused may say that visible injuries are simply due to easy bruising.
- Petechiae may not be visible on dark skin, but a person may see them on areas with lower levels of melanin, such as the forearms.
Alcohol hepatitis can lead to liver failure and can also gradually damage the liver and lead to cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is when normal liver tissue is replaced by scar tissue, which causes the liver to lose its ability to function well. Alcohol can also lead to excessive sweating – known as alcohol sweats or night sweats.
This Is Why Some People Bruise So Easily
Bruises that take a long time to heal or getting bruised for no apparent cause could be signs of a bleeding disorder. When someone develops an alcohol use disorder, they will show signs or symptoms that are characteristic of this condition. Sunnyside is the leading alcohol health platform focused on moderation and mindfulness, not sobriety.
Why is easy bruising so common in older adults?
There are a number of medications and supplements that can increase your risk of bruising. Find support for yourself and other family members in a rehab family program. Go to an Al-Anon or Alateen meeting or set up an appointment with a mental health professional. At the end of the day, the person with addiction has to be willing to accept help. The most severe form of alcohol withdrawal is delirium tremens (DTs), characterized by altered mental status and severe autonomic hyperactivity that may lead to cardiovascular collapse. Only about 5 percent of patients with alcohol withdrawal progress to DTs, but about 5 percent of Sober living home these patients die.
These signs can give an early indication of serious disorders, especially low blood volume or an infection. A high heart rate together with low blood pressure suggests low blood volume due to bleeding. People with a family history of excessive bleeding are why do alcoholics bruise easily likely to have an inherited bleeding disorder such as hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, hemophilia, or von Willebrand disease. However, not all people with these disorders know about a family history of the disorder. Bone bruises usually last longer (1-2 months) than soft tissue bruises, and they’re more painful, but most will heal with rest and the same home care as for other types of bruises. Your doctor will likely suggest you use a brace or crutches for bone bruises in your legs and feet.
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Finally, excessive alcohol consumption can result in falls or other accidents that result in bruises. Genetic conditions that cause you to bruise easily are often diagnosed with blood tests. In addition to easy bruising, bleeding disorders can cause frequent nosebleeds, heavy periods, and bleeding that does not stop after 10 minutes. The most destructive form of alcoholism is chronic alcoholism, an emotionally, socially and physically devastating disease.