"Did I fall?" The real reason I get bruised every time I drink alcohol

After drinking, there are cases where you notice one or two bruises you haven't seen before. If bruises appear without any memory of bumping into something, it could be a sign of health issues. What might it be?

 

 

Vascular weakening

Alcohol itself can be a culprit in causing bruises. According to a study by Duke University in the United States, drinking alcohol makes it easier for bruises to form on the skin. This is because alcohol causes blood vessels to expand and increases blood flow within the body, raising the risk of bruising. Participants drank one or two glasses of alcohol every night for a week, totaling 14 drinks. This means that even small amounts of alcohol can lead to bruising on the skin. Dr. Swartzerder, who led the study, said, "The tendency to bruise due to alcohol consumption is not a permanent change in physiology, but the effects can last for 3 to 4 days after drinking."

Bruising after drinking alcohol may be a sign of liver dysfunction. Excessive alcohol consumption damages liver cells and impairs blood clotting function. A damaged liver produces less of the proteins necessary for blood clotting, which can lead to easy bruising. In addition to frequent bruising, symptoms such as persistent abdominal pain, nausea, loss of appetite, abdominal swelling, easy fatigue, and skin jaundice should raise suspicion of liver dysfunction.

Meanwhile, there is a possibility that one has a tendency to bruise easily. This means that even a minor impact can cause bruising, and the bruise may only be noticed later. This is common when the skin is thin, or due to aging which weakens the dermis layer beneath the skin, or after long-term use of high-dose steroids. Additionally, it could be a sign of platelet dysfunction. Platelets are responsible for preventing blood from leaking out of the vessels, and if their function is impaired, blood can leak out even with slight bumps, causing bruises. If a bruise persists for less than two weeks after it appears, or if there are frequent nosebleeds, or if women experience menstrual periods lasting more than ten days, or if bleeding does not stop easily, it is advisable to visit a hospital for an accurate diagnosis.