Bruising is a normal part of the injury-recovery process. We’re all used to seeing those ugly little blue and black paintings on our extremities after banging our legs or feet, after shutting the door on our fingers, or taking a tumble. But what about those of us who merely tap the counter and develop a bruise? And what of us who simply can’t recall why our calf is sore and bruised at all? We didn’t do anything…we didn’t hit it anywhere or fall. This is called easily bruising and it tends to happen naturally as we age. However, this condition can and does also manifest itself in people of all ages, especially women. And while bruising is generally simply a sign of injury of the body, it can signal some serious conditions such as Hemophila, Low platelet count, Von Willebrand disease (a hereditary bleeding disorder occurring in 1% of the population), and Leukemia, among others. (Saheilan, n.d).
Bruising happens when small blood vessels, called capillaries, under the skin tear or break due to impact. Blood then leaks out of the capillaries and forms a bluish-black mark just under the skin’s surface. Eventually, this blood will be reabsorbed by your body and the bruise disappears. (Mayo Clinic, 2005). As we age, the walls of our capillaries become weaker and as such, we’re more prone to bruising. A light bump can cause the capillary wall to tear and thus release blood. In this way, easy bruising is a common part of aging. Another common reason for bruising due to age is the thickness of our skin or lack of thickness, I should say. As we age we tend to lose some of the fatty layers of skin that help protect the capillaries against injury. (Mayo Clinic, 2005). Since there is less protection, the result is easier damage to those already fragile capillaries. Bruising under these conditions is really nothing big to worry about. It is a normal part of aging and can really only be prevented by being extra careful. Some doctors will recommend supplements or dietary suggestions that can help with bruising such as eating more leafy greens and taking vitamin K, zinc, or vitamin C. (Paradox, 2002).
Some other causes of easy bruising can be chalked up to medications or supplements. Typical blood-thinning medications like aspirin, warfarin, and plavix reduce the ability for blood to clot and can thus cause bruising. (Mayo Clinic, 2005). Furthermore, supplements such as garlic, fish oil, ginger, and ginkgo can also have a blood thinning effect. If you’re experiencing easy bruising and are taking one of these supplements alone or especially in conjunction with a blood thinning medication, you’ll want to talk to your doctor about other supplement options. Doctors will generally be able to recommend another supplement that will offer similar benefits, but without the thinning effect. For those without bruising problems, these supplements need not be worried about. It is only if you experience easy bruising that you might want to look into them as being a possible source or secondary source.
One reason you might want to look into your easy bruising condition, especially if you aren’t in the elderly bracket or are experiencing bruises that are absolutely unexplainable, is due to the risk of this sort of bruising occurring due to serious health conditions that may include a blood clotting problem or abnormality of the blood. The Mayo Clinic recommends that people experiencing these symptoms seek the medical advice of a physician:
1. Unusually large or painful bruises, or bruises that develop for no conceivable reason.
2. Bruising easily and abnormal bleeding elsewhere including, but not limited to the nose, gums, and intestinal tract.
3. No history of bruising and suddenly experiencing bruising, especially if you have recently started taking a particular medication.
(2005). Additionally, seek medical attention if a bruise becomes solid and grows instead of decreases in size. Such conditions are usually indicative of blood being trapped and this will generally need to be drained. (Paradox, 2002).
While bruising often seems normal and is normal, it can be a sign of something more serious. Keep the warning signs in mind and seek help for easy bruising and unexplained bruising if it is a constantly occurring condition. While blood abnormality may not be the cause, it is important to find out exactly what is.
References:
Mayo Clinic. (2005). Easy Bruising: Age-Related Causes. Retrieved April 5, 2007, from CNN Website: http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/HQ/00355.html
Saheilan, R. M.D. (n.d). Bruising. Retrieved April 5, 2007, from Medical Disease Topics Website:http://www.raysahelian.com/bruising.html
Paradox, P. (2002). Bruises. Retrieved April 5, 2007, from Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine. Health A to Z Website: https://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/common/standard/transform.jsp?requestURI=/healthatoz/Atoz/ency/bruises.jsp
