Why Drinking Alcohol Can Cause Bruising
Recognizing the signs of alcoholism is the first step toward recovery. If you’re struggling to control your drinking or are worried about the health effects, reach out for professional help. Bruising now and then is more of an aesthetic problem, but bruising very frequently and spontaneously during and after drinking may indicate some other risk factor. So you can reduce the risk and secure your well-being too, by taking the preventive measure. Alcohol would help one fall asleep sooner, but it does interrupt deeper stages of restorative sleep, especially REM. Poor sleep increases inflammation and diminishes immune function while impeding healing.
When Should I See a Doctor About Bruising After Drinking?
Alcoholic hepatitis occurs when the liver becomes damaged and inflamed. Symptoms include fever, jaundice (yellowing of the skin), malnourishment, swelling, and accumulation of fluid around the liver. Alcohol Use Disorder Purpura might look like bruises, but they aren’t caused by an injury as most regular bruises are.
Why do I bruise so easily?
- The reduced platelet count and stickiness of already circulating platelets prolong bleeding time from injuries, leading to visible bruises.
- They may wish to discuss the risks and benefits of continuing treatment.
- As a result, you may find yourself having frequent sore throat pains, catching colds and infections more often.
This can lead to bruising even when there is no trauma to the skin. Alcoholics may also have darker bruises due to the increased amount of blood in their body. If you notice that you or someone you know is bruise easily, it may be a sign of alcoholism. These could be signs of an underlying medical condition impairing clotting and platelet function.
When is bruising a concern?
If a medication is the likely cause of easy bruising, your healthcare provider can reevaluate the benefits versus the https://www.reddog-studio.com/2021/03/alcohol-and-life-expectancy-what-studies-say-boca/ risks of continuing to take it. Do not stop a medication or change a dosage unless under the advice of a healthcare provider. Von Willebrand disease (VWD) is a bleeding disorder that occurs when a protein called von Willebrand factor in the blood is lacking or not working properly. Even though most people with VWD are born with the condition, it often remains undiagnosed until adulthood, as symptoms tend to be mild. Your body’s ability to form a proper clot can be affected if you don’t have enough platelets (low platelet count) or they aren’t functioning properly. This anemia can result from a variety of circumstances, including inadequate iron in your diet or chronic bleeding.
- Easy bruising affects millions of people, particularly women and older adults.
- Alcohol is the most commonly used drug whose consequences include the suppression of blood cell production, or hematopoiesis.
- In other words, bruising alone isn’t enough to diagnose alcoholism, but it can be a sign.
- Heavy drinking for men involves more than four drinks in one day or more than 14 drinks per week.
To maintain a balanced lifestyle, it is advised to have a nutritious meal or snack before drinking alcohol to avoid any negative consequences. Consuming food while drinking alcohol may reduce the pace at which alcohol is absorbed into your circulation. Furthermore, providing your body with essential nutrients can help to support optimal health.
Dangers Of Alcohol-Related Bruises
To determine the cause of easy bruising, your healthcare provider will conduct a physical examination and review your symptoms, medical history, and any medications you are taking. The symptoms of hemophilia can be mild or severe, depending on how much clotting factor is present in the affected person’s blood. Depending on the severity and type of hemophilia, bleeding may occur spontaneously (without injury) or after trauma or surgery. Even if you aren’t experiencing severe health problems like cirrhosis from alcohol, seeking early treatment can prevent an alcohol use disorder from progressing and causing severe complications.
Synthetic versions of these clotting factors can help treat hemophilia and reduce the risk of serious bleeding and bruising. They may also develop large bruises after minor injuries or have bruises that take many weeks to heal. However, easy bruising can sometimes be a sign of a more serious health condition. When a blood vessel injury occurs uncontrolled bleeding and bruising results. Sep 29, 2020Indeed, there is documented evidence that extensive bruising can arise among alcoholics as a result of scurvy, caused by a severe deficiency of vitamin C (9). Bruising arises because without enough vitamin C to support collagen production your blood vessels become fragile and damage easily, allowing blood to collect beneath your skin.
Drinking can hinder the body’s capacity to clot blood, making bruising more likely. Second, alcohol dehydrates the body, making skin more delicate and prone to bruising. Finally, excessive alcohol consumption can result in falls or other accidents that result in bruises. “Weak collagen causes the blood vessel walls to break more easily, causing easy bruising,” Kouri says. Vitamin K plays an important role in blood clotting, so a vitamin K deficiency can also contribute to bruising.
Understanding Causes and Treatments for Non-Epileptic Seizures
Too much alcohol affects your speech, muscle coordination and vital centers of your brain. A heavy drinking binge may even cause a life-threatening coma or death. This is of particular concern when you’re taking certain medications that also depress the brain’s function. Frequent unexplained bruises usually come from fragile blood vessels, platelet or clotting protein problems, medications, or nutritional gaps. A basic blood count, coagulation panel, and medication review identify most causes, and simple lifestyle changes often reduce new bruises. The mental and physical health of alcoholics are rapidly deteriorating at this stage, and unless they seek alcohol rehab, they may drink themselves to death.
What Most People Get Wrong About ‘Normal’ vs. Binge Drinking
The bruises may also appear in unusual patterns or locations, such as on the trunk or back, where major impacts are less likely. According to a 2021 study, the cerebellum is one of the most vulnerable areas that alcohol can do you bruise easier when drunk directly affect, leading to difficulty in maintaining balance. This increased blood flow means more blood might escape the vessel if it ruptures. A graduate of Texas Tech University and the University of Cincinnati, Trent is fervently dedicated to providing evidence-based, compassionate care to those battling addiction. He emphasizes a holistic, patient-centered approach and stays updated on the latest in addiction research.