Coordination problems from alcohol consumption make injuries more likely, and since alcohol dilates the blood vessels, you’re more likely to bruise if you do fall or bump into something. After all, heavy alcohol consumption increases the risk of serious injuries from falls, burns, and motor vehicle crashes. An alcohol use disorder is a legitimate medical condition that causes lasting changes in the brain.
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Continuing to drink, even when it causes health problems, is a sign of an alcohol use disorder. Someone who lives with an alcohol use disorder may experience lasting brain changes that make it difficult to stop drinking. If you’re aware that drinking is causing health problems, such as liver issues and bruising from alcohol, but you’re unable to stop drinking on your own, it’s time to seek treatment. Liver cirrhosis is linked to bleeding complications and can even lead to the formation of a large type of bruise called a hematoma.
Prozac Withdrawal: Managing Symptoms and Finding Balance
A person may also develop a tolerance for alcohol, meaning that they need larger and larger amounts to obtain the desired effects. Most people who drink heavily will progress through the stages of liver damage described above over time. One of the most apparent causes of a bruise the morning after a night of drinking is that you physically bumped into something the night before.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If a medication is the likely cause of easy bruising, your healthcare provider can reevaluate the benefits versus the risks of continuing to take it. Do not stop a medication or change a dosage unless under the advice of a healthcare provider. Medications commonly prescribed to older adults, such as blood thinners, alcoholism also contribute to easy bruising. These conditions combined can lead to coagulopathy (bruising and bleeding even with the slightest trauma). Alcohol has blood thinning properties, which can increase the risk of bruising. Alcohol addiction can cause various health issues, some of which include bruising and subcutaneous bleeding.
Is Bruising a Sign of Alcohol Dependence?
In the short term, it can lead to injuries, violence, and alcohol poisoning. It also increases the risk of suicide, sexual assault, and homicide. Heavy drinking can cause risky sexual behavior and unintended pregnancy. Finally, a person with an alcohol use disorder will likely give up other activities, because their focus is on drinking. AlcoholAwareness.org is dedicated to providing support and resources for individuals struggling with alcohol addiction. We aim to raise awareness, offer guidance, and connect people with recovery programs to help them regain control and improve their lives.
Why Do I Get Random Bruises After A Night Of Drinking?
When a blood vessel injury occurs uncontrolled bleeding and bruising results. 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. Let’s break down the mystery of these bruises and learn to take better care of your body. Furthermore, alcohol affects the brain, impacting judgment and decision-making skills, as well as motor control and coordination.
Consider talking with someone who has had a problem with drinking but has stopped. Alcohol use disorder can include periods of being drunk (alcohol intoxication) and symptoms of withdrawal. For resources related to AUD, including how to get support, please visit the NIH website.
The reduced platelet count and stickiness of already circulating platelets prolong bleeding time from injuries, leading to visible bruises. 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. When a person gets https://tritonia.se/sober-living/alcohol-withdrawal-symptoms-treatment-timeline-7 a bruise, some sort of injury crushes blood vessels, but the skin does not break and cause external bleeding.
You may get a bruise from a bump or injury to the skin or the tissues beneath the skin. Since the skin isn’t cut or broken, you won’t see external bleeding. But damage to blood vessels below the skin causes them to rupture and leak blood. Von Willebrand disease (VWD) is a bleeding disorder that occurs when a protein called von Willebrand factor in the blood is lacking or not working properly.
- If you drink heavily, regularly, or both, your alcohol use could be the cause of your bruise.
- Alcohol and unexplained bruising could point to liver damage from drinking.
- Alcohol is a vasodilator, it does bring out this feeling of dilatation in any single body organ throughout the body’s vessels.
- If you’re worried about your drinking habits or bruising, talk to a doctor.
Alcohol-Induced Liver Disease
Alcohol can deprive you of the energy and mental focus you need to go through the following day. You may also feel sluggish, groggy, and easily irritable, mainly due to disrupted sleep or low blood sugar levels. Additionally, heavy drinkers usually get most of their calories from alcohol.
Large Quantities Of Alcohol Consumption
- Vasodilation is the widening of the blood vessels caused by the relaxation of the muscles in these blood vessels.
- Von Willebrand disease (VWD) is a bleeding disorder that occurs when a protein called von Willebrand factor in the blood is lacking or not working properly.
- According to Scott Swartzwelder, Ph.D. (coauthor of Buzzed), consistent vasodilation caused by drinking alcohol leads to more blood flowing through your blood vessels.
- After all, studies have shown that almost 50% of adults wish to reduce their intake without giving up alcohol altogether.
Alcohol is a blood thinner, which means it affects the platelet count and quality in people who drink too much. Bill Zimmerman is do you bruise easier when drunk a Greater Cincinnati Area native who has worked in substance use disorder/co-occurring mental health disorder treatment since 2018. Bill received his (Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistant) license from the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board in 2020. Patrick McCamley (Clinical Therapist) is a Cincinnati native who has worked in substance use disorder/co-occurring mental health disorder treatment since 2019. Patrick has worked in Clinical Operations, Clinical Case Management, and Clinical Therapy throughout his career. Taking these steps can help you reduce bruising and stay healthier.