Uncovering the Relationship Between Alcohol and Bruising

In other words, bruising alone isn’t enough to diagnose alcoholism, but it can be a sign. When that happens, the person is seemingly functional and appears normal to other people. A part of your brain called the cerebellum is responsible for maintaining your body’s balance. Vasodilation is the widening of the blood vessels caused by the relaxation of the muscles in https://ecosoberhouse.com/ these blood vessels. 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.

Why is easy bruising so common in older adults?

• This stage of alcoholism is often defined by the goal of “drinking to get drunk.” People who use alcohol often use it to self-medicate and escape negative thoughts and feelings.
• You may get a bruise from a bump or injury to the skin or the tissues beneath the skin.
• Adults with low vitamin K levels may also notice a sudden increase in bruising.
• More seriously, this reduced clotting leads to an increased risk of stroke.
• In other words, weight gain isn’t inevitable, but you could still tip the scale up from drinking too much alcohol.

People diagnosed with a mast cell disorder also may bruise easily. These immune system disorders, with subtypes that range from the comparatively mild to life-threatening, are genetic and rare. 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 do alcoholics bruise easily severity and type of hemophilia, bleeding may occur spontaneously (without injury) or after trauma or surgery.

What are the most common causes of Antiphospholipid Syndrome?

A bruise is a discolored mark on your skin that forms when blood vessels under your skin break and leak. They can be caused by several things, such as an injury, certain disorders, or certain medicines. Most bruises don’t need treatment because they heal on their own, usually within about 2 weeks. Not all alcoholics will experience “alcoholic face” symptoms such as flushing, discoloration, and facial swelling. Alcoholism can affect each of us differently; however, facial signs of alcohol abuse are common.

• You may get bone bruises from sports injuries, car crashes, falls from a height, joint sprains, or medical conditions like arthritis.
• If your bruise doesn’t improve within two weeks, or if you start to notice frequent, unexplained bruises—whether you’re drunk or sober—call your doctor.
• People diagnosed with a mast cell disorder also may bruise easily.
• Internally, though, significant biological changes are occurring.

Certain Medications and Supplements

• Some people just have more fragile blood vessels, and that makes them more likely to bruise, especially on their upper arms, thighs, or butt.
• The inflammatory disease process (rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and the like) can lead to a low platelet count and affect how well your blood clots following an injury.
• Because of this, many people deny having a problem or believe they can stop drinking at any time.
• Liver disease can affect blood clotting, increasing the risk of bleeding and easy bruising.

We’ve also partnered with Moderation Management, a non-profit dedicated to reducing the harm caused by the misuse of alcohol. Hence, drinking alcohol makes it harder for your immune system to gear up and mount a defense response against invading pathogens and viruses. As a result, you may find yourself having frequent sore throat pains, catching colds and infections more often. Hence, drinking before bed can cause sleep disruptions later in your sleep cycle and lead to insomnia symptoms over time.

• American Addiction Centers (AAC) is committed to delivering original, truthful, accurate, unbiased, and medically current information.
• Either way, fluctuations in a person’s appetite, as a result of alcohol consumption, can lead to changes in their weight.
• Learn the answer, as well as how to get help with medication assisted treatment for alcohol use, below.
• Blood-thinning medications may cause a person to bleed and bruise more.
• If the alcoholic liver disease is not treated, it can progress to later stages which include alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis, a scarring of the liver.

While this may be true for some, stopping cold turkey can not only be difficult but also ill-advised, as the acute alcohol withdrawal syndrome may be life-threatening if not managed properly. Alcohol abuse is one of the world’s most abused substances, and similar to other addictive substances, it can be difficult to stop drinking completely without professional help. Alcohol addiction recovery takes time and effort, but is absolutely possible. Knowing more about the features of an alcohol use disorder as well as the available rehabilitation options can help you find the best alcohol treatment for yourself or someone close to you.

Age and genetic factors

If you also feel tired, achy, and weak all the time, or lose weight without trying to, give your doctor a call. Alcohol affects brain chemistry by altering neurotransmitters, which manage our mood and impulses. It decreases inhibition and can increase stress hormones like cortisol, making some individuals more prone to anger and aggression when drinking. We’ve heard of the “raging alcoholic” or “angry drunk” stereotype, but is there any truth to the idea?

People with alcoholism can develop erosive gastritis, where the stomach lining wears away. More seriously, this reduced clotting leads to an increased risk of stroke. 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. But when you bruise, your vessels are literally injured or broken in a sense, and blood pools around those vessels and rises to the skin. American Addiction Centers (AAC) is committed to delivering original, truthful, accurate, unbiased, and medically current information. We strive to create content that is clear, concise, and easy to understand.