Most alcohol and bruising often, these bruises will be on the hands, legs, forearms, and feet. A person may start to bruise more easily than before for a number of different reasons, though bruising doesn’t necessarily indicate a serious health issue. Bruises typically form when a localized injury, such a blow or impact, causes capillaries to break open and leak red blood cells under the skin. Nutritional deficiencies, like a lack of vitamin K or vitamin C, can also result in bruising easily.
Does alcohol cause bruises? Uncovering the Truth
One way to reduce alcohol intake is to plan so alcohol isn’t consumed on an empty stomach. Men are 3 times as likely as women to die as a consequence of alcohol abuse. The World Health Organization (WHO) has determined excessive alcohol use is responsible for 7.1% of disease among males and 2.2% among females.
What is easy bruising?
- It also increases the risk of suicide, sexual assault, and homicide.
- Alcohol reduces the ability that certain bodily cells have to destroy free radicals.
- However, this inflammation may be reduced by drinking certain alcoholic beverages such as red wine.
- This is where alcohol can prevent neurons from communicating with each other properly.
This is especially true when you consider the increased likelihood of them falling. Alcoholism can lead to bruising due to liver damage and nutritional deficiencies affecting blood clotting. Alcohol consumption can lead to bruising due to its effects on blood clotting and liver function. Chronic alcohol use can lead to malnutrition and deficiencies in essential vitamins like Vitamin K, which is vital for proper blood clotting.
The Role of Diet in Bruising Prevention
This way of responding is meant to protect the area of the body affected and remove any harmful stimuli (such as alcohol) from the area. Chronic inflammation can cause damage to the tissues and organs of our body. If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol-related inflammation, swelling, or other health concerns tied to substance use, Harmony Place can provide the support you need. Our dedicated team offers evidence-based treatment approaches and compassionate care to help individuals overcome alcohol misuse and regain their health and well-being.
Alcohol & Heart Rate: Does Drinking Increase Cardiovascular Risk?
On dark skin, petechiae may not always show up, which means a doctor could miss them. They may be visible in areas with less melanin, such as the forearms. They can change into various colors, including yellow, orange and green, as they evolve over a week or so. All factor levels were low, except for factor VIII, which is produced outside the liver, hence suggesting a primary pathology of the liver. A lack of these nutrients can make individuals more vulnerable to bruising, especially when combined with alcohol use. What you’re technically experiencing there is a drop in your blood pressure, which causes the heart to work a little harder than usual to pump blood to the rest of your organs.
Since alcohol slows down central nervous system activity and communication, you take longer to register stimuli and decide what to marijuana addiction do. It increases your chances of being hit in the forehead with an incoming football, but it may also cause you to bump into people or objects. One of the most apparent causes of a bruise the morning after a night of drinking is that you physically bumped into something the night before. While that’s not necessarily a direct cause of drinking, heavy alcohol use can contribute to more accidents. Alcohol affects your brain in multiple ways that make you more accident-prone.
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- In summary, yes—alcoholism can cause bruising due primarily to its damaging effects on liver function and nutritional deficiencies that impair normal blood clotting processes.
- However, there are several other factors that can cause liver disease, such as cancer and cirrhosis.
- Limiting your intake can significantly reduce your chances of experiencing excessive bruising while still allowing you to enjoy social occasions involving drinks.
- While not linked to serious health issues, it may increase the risk of skin tears and bruising easily.
- It’s important to talk to your doctor about any symptoms you might be experiencing.
According to the National Blood Clot Alliance (NBCA), in the U.S., more than 8 million people currently take them. Making conscious lifestyle choices contributes positively towards reducing bruise frequency while enhancing overall well-being. Your doctor may also consider ordering additional tests to determine https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/survive-boozy-bbq/ the underlying cause of your bruising. Patrick has tremendous empathy and compassion for the recovery community, being in recovery himself since 2018. Patrick is uniquely qualified to be helpful because of the specific combination of his academic background and his own experience in recovery. I recently joined Ohio Community Health Recovery Centers as a Clinical Case Manager.
In addition, alcohol should be consumed with food rather than on an empty stomach. This is because alcohol taken on an empty stomach increases alcohol’s effects on the lining of the stomach and intestines. This then causes an increase in dehydration, which may then also increase alcohol-related inflammation. All this goes to say that alcohol and inflammation and alcohol and swelling are things that you don’t want to appear together.
- Of course, if you drink alcohol, drinking in moderation is always recommended.
- A deficiency can further exacerbate issues related to clotting and increase susceptibility to bruising.
- While many factors can lead to bruising, alcohol consumption is often overlooked as a potential contributor.
- Alcohol can change circuitry in the brain, and those changes can make it difficult for you to curb an alcohol habit.
- Seeking medical help early on is vital for those experiencing excessive or unexplained bruising as part of their journey toward better health outcomes.
- Bill Zimmerman is a Greater Cincinnati Area native who has worked in substance use disorder/co-occurring mental health disorder treatment since 2018.
When You Should See a Doctor About Bruising Easily
They protect you from bleeding too much if you’re injured or have surgery. Pregnancy, cancer and estrogen therapy can also put you at a greater risk of forming a clot. Additionally, chronic alcohol use can impair liver function, further affecting clotting factors necessary for healing. Yes, alcohol can lead to bruising by affecting blood clotting and weakening blood vessels. Unexplained bruises and scrapes may be observed more frequently, and alcoholics can have reduced platelet counts and other clotting factors, making them more likely to bruise.
