Health Risks of Alcohol: Problems Caused By Chronic Heavy Drinking

does alcohol cause bruising

Some herbs and supplements can cause you to bleed more easily, either when used alone or in combination with other medications. It’s possible that this can cause you to bruise more easily as a result of platelet function and other changes. Easy bruising can indicate low iron levels but there are a number of other potential causes. Your healthcare provider can discuss the potential benefits of iron supplements with you.

does alcohol cause bruising

How to Prevent Alcoholic Neuropathy

does alcohol cause bruising

Years of moderate to heavy drinking can cause liver scarring (fibrosis), increasing the risk of liver diseases like cirrhosis, alcoholic hepatitis, fatty liver disease, and liver cancer. Alcohol also can interact with anticoagulants, prescription medications that prevent blood clotting and which are used to treat patients who are at increased risk of developing thrombosis or an embolism in the lung. However, warfarin treatment is not indicated for alcoholic patients, because alcohol https://ecosoberhouse.com/ ingestion can significantly interfere with the proper management of warfarin maintenance therapy. The monocyte-macrophage system, like neutrophils, constitutes an important line of defense against infections. Monocytes and macrophages clear invading microorganisms as well as foreign or defective proteins from the blood by engulfing and subsequently destroying them. Alcohol interferes with the function of the monocyte-macrophage system, with clinically significant consequences.

Alcohol-Induced Liver Disease

People with medium skin tones may see more red and yellow color in their bruises than people with lighter or darker skin tones. Some conditions can make it harder for your blood to clot, which may increase your chance of bruising and bleeding. People with von Willebrand disease (about 1%-2% of the population have this) make little or no von Willebrand protein, which is important for blood clotting.

Alcoholic cirrhosis

Without a vitamin K injection at birth, babies may bruise easily or bleed excessively. Adults with low vitamin K levels may also notice a sudden increase in bruising. Hemophilia involves low levels of blood clotting factor VIII (hemophilia A) or factor IX (hemophilia B). Synthetic versions of these clotting factors can help treat hemophilia and reduce the risk of serious bleeding and bruising. However, if the disease progresses, it is often not reversible. Medications and lifestyle modifications may also be prescribed depending on the stage.

does alcohol cause bruising

Vasodilation is the widening of the blood vessels caused by the relaxation of the muscles in these blood vessels. 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. Most bruises don’t need treatment because they heal on their own. This usually takes about 2 weeks, but many will heal sooner than that. Talk to your doctor if you have a bruise that lasts longer than 2 weeks.

Development of Vacuoles in RBC Precursors

1In this article, the terms “chronic alcohol abuse” or “chronic excessive alcohol consumption” refer to the ingestion of 1 pint or more of 80- to 90-proof alcohol (i.e., about 11 drinks) per alcohol and bruising day. However, alcohol-related hematological problems can occur at much lower consumption levels. The drinker’s risk for developing these problems grows with increasing alcohol consumption.

  • But when you ingest too much alcohol for your liver to process in a timely manner, a buildup of toxic substances begins to take a toll on your liver.
  • Check with your doctor before using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like aspirin or ibuprofen, because these can make bleeding and bruising worse.
  • Blood cells called platelets stop your bleeding, but the pool of blood under your skin can change your skin color and cause swelling, pain, and tenderness.

What Is The Most Popular Program For Recovering Alcoholics?

does alcohol cause bruising

Chronic alcohol use and binge drinking damage the heart muscle, making it harder for the heart to pump blood effectively. Alcohol can also contribute to arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats) and hypertension (high blood pressure), increasing the risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart failure. Corticosteroids are used to treat severe alcoholic hepatitis by decreasing inflammation in the liver. Other medications, such as Pentoxil (pentoxifylline), may also be used. It can inflame the stomach lining, causing heartburn and nausea. Over time, this can give you ulcers and chronic inflammation in your stomach, esophagus, and gut.

Reasons for Bruises After Drinking

does alcohol cause bruising