Eduardo Behrentz

Bruises: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Remedies, Prevention

alcohol and bruising

The neurologic or nervous system consists of the brain, spinal cord, and the nerve fibers that attach to the brain and spinal cord. The hematological system consists of blood and bone marrow, which produces the cellular elements of blood. The pulmonary or respiratory system includes the lungs, diaphragm, and trachea. The system allows air to reach the lungs, helps oxygen circulate through the blood, and removes waste gases.

  1. The system allows air to reach the lungs, helps oxygen circulate through the blood, and removes waste gases.
  2. If necessary, your doctor can pierce your nail to drain the blood and fluid built up underneath.
  3. Alcohol impairs your cerebellum, the part of your brain that’s responsible for coordinating your movements, Swartzwelder says.
  4. For the average healthy guy (say, drinking one or two drinks per night, or fewer than 14 drinks per week) the alcohol-related effects on bruising are temporary, and no real cause for concern.
  5. According to the National Library of Medicine, a bruise is a mark under the skin, usually painful and swollen, that occurs because of blood trapped beneath the skin’s surface.

It can be caused by wearing old or worn-out shoes while you train, running or walking on hard surfaces like concrete, or training for too long. As you age, your skin gets thinner and you lose some of the layer of fat that cushions your blood vessels and protects you from injury. Both of these things mean you may get more bruises, even from a minor bump.

Alcoholic Hepatitis vs. Viral Hepatitis

alcohol and bruising

There are three stages—alcoholic fatty liver disease, alcoholic hepatitis, and alcoholic cirrhosis. Liver cirrhosis is linked to bleeding complications and can even lead to the formation of a large type of bruise called a hematoma. If you experience easy bruising with alcohol consumption and there is no apparent cause of the bruising, it’s important to seek medical attention, because you may be experiencing liver disease.

Get Help for Alcoholism Today

In cirrhosis, at right, scar tissue replaces healthy liver tissue. It’s tough to judge the seriousness of a bruise using the color. How a bruise looks depends on a lot of things, including your natural skin tone, how bad the injury that caused it was, and how long you’ve had it. You will likely see some discolored skin until the bruise completely heals.

Autonomic Neuropathy

If you notice that you or someone you know is bruise easily, it may be a sign of alcoholism. In addition, a support group can help you cope with the life changes you’re experiencing as a result of your condition. You might look for a support group specifically for alcoholic neuropathy or for people coping with chronic pain. You may also benefit from a support group to help you reduce your drinking or completely quit drinking alcohol. Although 90% of people who drink heavily develop fatty liver disease, only 20% to 40% will go on to develop alcoholic hepatitis.

Does alcoholic neuropathy go away?

You can help speed your recovery if you use a cushion or gel doughnut when you sit down because this takes the pressure off your tailbone. Going to the bathroom can be painful, so make sure you eat plenty of fiber and drink plenty of fluids to avoid a bout of constipation. Ecchymosis (pronounced eh-kuh-mow-sis) is the medical term for a bruise. An ecchymosis is bigger around than 1 centimeter, which is about as big around as a triple-A battery.

When that happens, the person convulses uncontrollably and may harm themselves or others in the process, potentially leading to bruises. After your injury, put an ice pack on it every once in a while for the first hours. Wrap the ice pack before you put it on so you don’t freeze your skin, and don’t leave it on for more than 15 minutes at a time. But if the cells that regrow your nail (called How does alcohol affect blood pressure the nail matrix) are damaged, it may grow in incorrectly or you may not regrow your nail at all. If necessary, your doctor can pierce your nail to drain the blood and fluid built up underneath.