Plus, you’re more susceptible to an accidental fall or bump after you’ve been drinking, anyway. I consider myself to be an advocate for the addicted population. My compassion, resilience, empathy, wisdom, knowledge, experience and love I have for this forgotten population goes beyond words. I consider what I do for the addicted population as a calling versus a “career,” because I too was once an “addict and alcoholic.” Today I am 45.5 years alcohol and substance free. Most health insurance plans cover at least part of addiction treatment costs. We can help you check your insurance coverage and work out costs you might need to pay out of pocket.
This Is Why You Tend To Wake Up With Bruises After A Night Of Drinking
People with warning signs should see a doctor right away, as should those who are still bleeding and those who have lost more than a small amount of blood. People without warning signs who notice that they bleed or bruise easily should call their doctor. The doctor determines how quickly to evaluate people based on their symptoms and other factors.
Progressive Symptoms
And that’s especially true when it comes to heavy drinking. This means it’s a substance that actually relaxes the muscular walls of the blood vessels and allows more blood to flow to the skin and tissues — aka a blood thinner. They may recommend some at home solutions to help prevent easy bruising as well. This could include things like improving the lighting in your home, avoiding clutter, and making sure there is nothing in the way when you walk. Your primary care provider will refer you to a hematologist if you have continued significant bruising larger than one centimeter with no known trauma.
Bruises
Rarely, if your bone bruise is very large, you may not recover blood flow in that area. Call your doctor if your symptoms don’t start to get better in a few days or if you have any symptoms of an infection, such as a high fever. It’s also very rare, but sometimes, a bruise on your breast may be a sign of a breast infection (mastitis) or inflammatory breast cancer.
More on Skin Problems and Treatments
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. Alcoholics tend to bruise easily because of the blood vessels in their body breaking down. This can lead to bruising even when there is no trauma to the skin. Alcoholics may also have darker bruises due to the increased amount of blood in their body.
- Liver damage from cirrhosis is not reversible, and it is linked to high mortality rates.
- People with medium skin tones may see more red and yellow color in their bruises than people with lighter or darker skin tones.
- If you notice that you or someone you know is bruise easily, it may be a sign of alcoholism.
Some people with severe alcoholic hepatitis may need a liver transplant. Alcoholic fatty liver disease is also called hepatic steatosis. Consuming too much alcohol can inhibit the breakdown of fats in the liver, causing fat accumulation. People are asked about use of alcohol or intravenous (IV) drugs.
- Your doctor will likely suggest you use a brace or crutches for bone bruises in your legs and feet.
- However, even minor bleeding is dangerous if it occurs in the brain.
- When blood leaks out of surrounding vessels, it leaves that purple-ish spot.
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- This could indicate a serious condition that needs immediate attention.
- The following information can help people know when to see a doctor and help them know what to expect during the evaluation.
Sometimes, bruising after drinking occurs because of the fact that alcohol dilates the blood vessels. When blood vessels are dilated, you’re more likely to experience a bruise after bumping into something. This effect may explain why you’re waking up with bruises after drinking.
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- If you notice early signs of alcohol-related liver disease, be sure to follow up with your doctor.
- Skin in older adults is generally thinner, which can increase your risk of bruising.
- Growing up in Louisiana with addiction running rampant on both sides of my family.
- Medications commonly prescribed to older adults, such as blood thinners, also contribute to easy bruising.
- 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.
Bleeding from superficial sites, including skin and mucous membranes, suggests a problem with platelets or blood vessels. On the other hand, bleeding into deep tissues suggests a problem with clotting. People with a family history of excessive bleeding are likely to have an inherited bleeding disorder such as hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, hemophilia, or von Willebrand disease. However, not all people with these disorders know about a family history of the disorder. Hemophilia is a hereditary disorder in which the body does not make enough of one of the clotting factors.
While bumping into something while drinking may seem relatively harmless, the truth is that excessive drinking can set you up for serious injuries from falling or other accidents. Furthermore, in alcohol and bruising extreme cases, bruises from drinking can be a sign of liver damage, which can be dangerous. 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. Even though most people with VWD are born with the condition, it often remains undiagnosed until adulthood, as symptoms tend to be mild. Your body’s ability to form a proper clot can be affected if you don’t have enough platelets (low platelet count) or they aren’t functioning properly.
- Treatment also consists of evaluation for other risk factors that can damage the liver or put the liver at higher risk, such as infection with hepatitis C and metabolic syndrome.
- I consider myself to be an advocate for the addicted population.
- Because of this fact, a person with an alcohol use disorder may have several failed attempts to stop drinking.
- This could include things like improving the lighting in your home, avoiding clutter, and making sure there is nothing in the way when you walk.
It’s important to see a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis and treatment, even if the bruises typically go away in a week or two. Reducing weight if you’re overweight, eating a healthy diet, and regular exercise can help someone with early ALD who has stopped drinking decrease their risk of advanced liver disease. The liver is responsible for metabolizing or processing ethanol, the main component of alcohol. Over time, the liver of a person who drinks heavily can become damaged and cause alcoholic liver disease.