With platelet disorders, such as thrombocytopenia, there may be an underproduction or overproduction of platelets in the body, or platelets that don’t work normally. “In the case of too few platelets, the body won’t be able to control bleeding after experiencing physical trauma,” Dr. Johnston says. “Without these proteins, excessive bleeding and bruising can occur,” Dr. Johnston says.
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- Someone who lives with an alcohol use disorder may experience lasting brain changes that make it difficult to stop drinking.
- Some chronic alcoholics develop a condition called Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, which results from a thiamine (vitamin B-1) deficiency.
- Alternatively, they may crave high-fat foods as alcohol produces the hunger-increasing hormone, ghrelin.
They may also drink in secret and lie about their drinking. Most people will not experience symptoms in the early stages of ALD. Some may experience mild pain in the upper right side of the abdomen. Someone with decompensated cirrhosis may develop ascites (or fluid in the abdomen), gastrointestinal bleeding, and hepatic encephalopathy, in which the brain is affected. However, if the person drinks alcohol again heavily, the fatty deposits will reappear.
Early-Stage Alcoholism
Very forceful blows can damage bones, causing deep bleeding and bruises that take several weeks to heal. Jaundice can be a physical sign of liver problems, where the skin takes on a yellowish-brown tone due to high levels of bilirubin. While many things could lead to you developing jaundice, a common cause is high levels of alcohol consumption.
The Severity of Hemophilia Symptoms
Eventually the body reabsorbs the blood, and the mark disappears. By this stage, their drinking is taking an obvious physical toll as well. They may appear red in the face or look bloated and generally unwell. The alcoholic probably isn’t sleeping or eating well at this point and may not be keeping up with personal hygiene.
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As a result, you may find yourself having frequent sore throat pains, catching colds and infections more often. Additionally, heavy drinkers usually get most of their calories from alcohol. The problem is do alcoholics bruise easily that alcohol is a wellspring of empty calories—which are calories with minimal nutritional value. Hence, consuming alcohol as your primary source of fuel will lead to poor nutrition and weight loss.
As people get older, the skin becomes thinner and loses some of the protective fatty layer that helps cushion blood vessels from injury. Because of the severity of the disease, medically monitored alcohol detox is a necessity. Between 3 and 5 percent of people withdrawing from alcohol develop grand mal seizures and severe confusion, known as delirium tremens. Delirium tremens symptoms typically begins about three days after other withdrawal symptoms start. It usually lasts for between two and three days, and it can be fatal. Cirrhosis can cause a host of other health problems, including high blood pressure, which can lead to the development of enlarged veins in the esophagus called esophageal varices.
- Your body quickly tries to repair the damage, and if it’s not fast enough, you’ll get a bruise.
- Alcoholism is a colloquial term, and it really isn’t a politically correct way to refer to an alcohol addiction.
- However, in advanced alcoholic liver disease, liver regeneration is impaired, resulting in permanent damage to the liver.
- One common sign of alcoholic hepatitis is jaundice, where the skin and whites of your eyes look yellowish.
- Bruises commonly develop on the arms and legs, as these sites are susceptible to injury (such as bumping into furniture).
Liver Health During Treatment
You don’t need to wait until the brink of disaster to seek help. No matter the stage of the disease, if you or someone you love is struggling with alcohol addiction, seek professional help to achieve the benefits of quitting alcohol and learn how to live a healthier life. Even though alcohol has become a significant part of everyday life, early-stage alcoholics often deny that they have a problem and may be defensive about their drinking.
Medications That Can Cause Easy Bruising
That vasodilation also happens to be responsible for the flushed sensation of heat you sometimes get in your face when you drink. However, giving up alcohol right away isn’t sustainable or desirable for most people. After all, studies have shown that almost 50% of adults wish to reduce their intake without giving up alcohol altogether.
Does low iron make you bruise easily?
If your kidney issues are a result of a medical condition, managing the condition properly can slow further kidney damage. Treatment for kidney problems specifically include going on a special diet, dialysis and a kidney transplant. Following many years of sun exposure, sun-damaged skin can become thinner and blood vessel walls weaker, leading to more frequent and darker bruising, Dr. Johnston says. You’re probably no stranger to bruises — just ask the corner of your coffee table.