Why You Bruise More Easily When You Drink Alcohol

One common sign of alcoholic hepatitis is jaundice, where the skin and whites of your eyes look yellowish. If you’ve noticed consistent weight gain, it may be time to reflect on your drinking habits. Chilled to within an inch of sanity, by way of pre-chilling the gin (only necessary in hotter climes), pre-icing the class AND garnish, and of course stirring with ice. Egg whites can also be added to give the beverage a nice textural foam, so don’t be surprised if a bartender asks you if you’d like your sour with or without the frothy addition.

When to See a Doctor About Your Bruises

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. do alcoholics bruise easily These signs can give an early indication of serious disorders, especially low blood volume or an infection. A high heart rate together with low blood pressure suggests low blood volume due to bleeding.

  • Yes, alcohol-induced bruising can be a sign of an underlying medical condition, such as liver disease, vitamin deficiencies, or blood clotting disorders.
  • Plus, you’re more susceptible to an accidental fall or bump after you’ve been drinking, anyway.
  • Jaundice can be a physical sign of liver problems, where the skin takes on a yellowish-brown tone due to high levels of bilirubin in the body.
  • Do not binge drink as this can hurt the liver and vessels in the blood and increase all the other risks of bruising.

When to see your doctor

In other words, bruising alone isn’t enough to diagnose alcoholism, but it can be a sign. When that happens, the person convulses uncontrollably and may harm themselves or others in the process, potentially leading to bruises. When that happens, the person is seemingly functional and appears normal to other people. Vasodilation is the widening of the blood vessels caused by the relaxation of the muscles in these blood vessels.

do alcoholics bruise easily

Drink Responsibly

But long-term and excessive alcohol consumption can lead to liver inflammation (liver hepatitis). Older adults may be more prone to alcohol-related bruising due to age-related changes in skin elasticity, blood vessel fragility, and blood clotting mechanisms. Additionally, older adults may have underlying health conditions that make them more susceptible to bruising.

do alcoholics bruise easily

How Can I Reduce Bruising After Drinking?

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. Bruises that take a long time to heal or getting bruised for no apparent cause could be signs of a bleeding disorder. Consuming alcohol on an empty stomach is said to have negative consequences such as increased bruise risk and other side effects.

  • Your liver helps your blood to clot, and the liver helps blood to move evenly throughout the body.
  • When alcohol is not present, individuals may experience uncomfortable symptoms such as restlessness, tremors, headache, nausea, vomiting and insomnia.

Private outpatient treatment

If it’s repeatedly bruising after drinking, then maybe that’s one symptom with Oxford House several others that alcohol might be harming your health in general. It can be confusing and worrisome to find unexplained bruises after drinking alcohol. This article will help you understand why bruises occur after drinking, what are bruises after drinking, give tips on how to prevent them, and let you know when to visit a doctor.