Have you ever noticed a bruise on your body that you couldn’t recall the cause of? While it is normal to develop a bruise after hitting a part of your body against something, a forceful blow is not the only cause of bruises. Everyone does not respond the same to bruising either, with some people bruising easily and taking longer to heal. In the article below, we will look at several reasons why you are bruising easily.
How Bruises Are Caused
According to Dr Claire Merrifield, when capillaries break under the skin and release blood, this results in a bruise. This typically occurs when something knocks against your body with enough force to break the capillaries. After the impact occurs, your body rapidly works to plug these broken capillaries and prevent any blood from leaking out. [1] There are also certain factors that increase your risk of being easily bruised, such as being older, using medications, and having various conditions that affect the blood clotting process.
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1: Medication
Certain medications, such as aspirin, blood thinners, some antibiotics, and even antidepressants, can make you more prone to bruising easily. Additionally, various medications that cause drowsiness may actually increase your chances of bumping into things, thus resulting in bruises. Furthermore, certain supplements, such as fish oil and vitamin E, can have a similar effect. If you suspect your medication is contributing to your bruising, it’s important to consult your doctor before making any adjustments. [2]
2: Alcohol
Drinking too much alcohol causes you to lose balance and good judgment. Therefore, it’s not surprising that many unexplained bruises are the result of a night out drinking. However, this is not the only way in which alcohol causes bruises. Drinking alcohol excessively affects your liver function quite dramatically. Since the liver plays a significant role in preventing and healing bruises, you are more likely to experience regular bruising when its functioning has been compromised. [3]
3: Nutrition
Nutritional deficiencies, like a lack of vitamin K or vitamin C, can also result in bruising easily. Vitamin C plays a vital role in keeping your skin and blood vessels strong. Vitamin K is crucial for producing clotting factors, which help stop bleeding after an injury. Since reliable tests for these vitamins are limited, it’s important to strive to maintain a diet rich in fruits and vegetables to meet your nutritional needs. If you feel that your intake is insufficient, you might want to consider adding supplements to support your health.
4: Menstruation
Women who experience heavy periods may be more susceptible to bruising easily from even minor injuries. This is usually due to lower iron levels caused by significant loss of blood. This can affect the body’s ability to repair tissues and form blood clots properly. In some cases, hormonal imbalances or underlying conditions, such as anemia, may also contribute to this increased bruising. It’s important to reach out to your doctor for further evaluation if frequent bruising accompanies your heavy periods.
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5: Age
This factor is something that will eventually apply to all of us. As we age, our skin becomes thinner and loses the protective fatty layer that helps cushion blood vessels from injury. This makes older adults more susceptible to bruising, as even minor bumps can cause blood vessels to break more easily. Additionally, the body’s ability to produce collagen, which supports skin strength and elasticity, decreases with age. Medications commonly taken by older individuals, such as blood thinners, can also further exacerbate bruising easily.
6: Liver Disease
Earlier, we discussed how alcohol impairs liver function, which can result in bruising easily. However, there are several other factors that can cause liver disease, such as cancer and cirrhosis. Liver disease affects the blood clotting process, increasing your risk of bleeding and bruising easily. Liver disease is typically accompanied by symptoms such as fatigue, itching, leg swelling, dark urine, and yellow eyes.
7: Bleeding Disorders
There are many genetic conditions that can affect blood clotting. Von Willebrand disease affects around 1% of the population and results from a deficiency in von Willebrand protein, which is essential for clotting. Fortunately, treating those with the condition with synthetic hormones can improve clotting. Hemophilia involves reduced levels of hemophilia A or hemophilia B, which are both critical for blood clotting. Synthetic clotting factors are available to help manage hemophilia, reducing the risk of serious bleeding and bruising in those individuals affected. [4]
8: Senile Purpura
Senile purpura is a common condition in older adults. It affects approximately 12% of individuals over 50 and up to 30% of those 75 and older. It causes dark purple lesions, usually on the arms and hands, which may appear after minor injuries but last longer than typical bruises. These lesions are more common in individuals with light skin, although they can affect anyone. There are certain preventative measures that can be taken, including using sun protection and avoiding injury. While not linked to serious health issues, it may increase the risk of skin tears and bruising easily.
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