Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Bruising Easily

I don't know if I bruised easily as a kid or not, but I do know that I have noticed more and more bruises as an adult. I get bruises all over my body what seems like all of the time. Most of the time they are about the size of a penny, a dime, or perhaps even a quarter. Other times they are like this:


Since I am already mortified that I just showed you some of my very own cellulite... I will not tell you exactly where the bruise was. Suffice it to say that I had 2 bruises like this last week. It made it hard to sleep. But it got me thinking... Why do I bruise easily? Perhaps I lack a certain type of vitamin or protien?

I did what I always do when I have a burning question... I googled it. Here is what I found...

wisegeek had the following to say on the matter: The amount of fat covering your body may be a contributing factor if you tend to bruise easily. If you do not have an adequate layer of body fat, then bruises will sometimes appear with the slightest knock.

Yeah - I don't think not having enough body fat is my problem.

webmd reported this: As a person ages, the skin becomes less flexible and thinner because there is less fat under the skin. The cushioning effect of the skin decreases as the fat under the skin decreases. These changes, along with skin damage from exposure to the sun, cause blood vessels to break easily. When blood vessels break, bruising occurs. Women bruise more easily than men, especially from minor injuries on the thighs, buttocks, and upper arms.

A little more probable... I mean I am getting older, and I am a woman.

the Mayo Clinic had the most complete information. They said the same as the other two, but added this: Medications and Supplements can also cause easy bruising. Blood-thinning drugs such as aspirin and warfarin (Coumadin) or medications such as clopidogrel (Plavix) reduce your blood's ability to clot. Because of this, bleeding from capillary damage that would normally stop quickly may take longer to stop, allowing enough blood to leak out to cause a bruise.

This makes the most sense as over the past 14 years I have had several pain meds, plus anti-inflammatories, which have also been known to thin blood.

All three sites did indicate that abnormal bruising, especially accompanied by painful swelling or bleeding elsewhere may indicate more serious problems and to seek medical attention.

However, I found the Mayo Clinic also added this as their final note on the topic...

If the sight of your bruises bothers you, try covering them with makeup until they've healed.

Helpful, aren't they?

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hmmm...I bruise very easily too and I don't have THAT much fat on me. Maybe it's my meds?

Denise @ Sunflowers, Chocolate and Little Boys said...

That looks painful....how on earth did you do THAT?!?

Susie said...

Ouch!! You should tell those kids to stop beating up their mom!! Hee, hee, hee.

I bruise easily too but I know body fat is not my problem. I have plenty to go around.

I always thought my family history of diabetes was my bruising factor but now I see, it's probably just the meds.

Debbi said...

woooooooo hooooooo, nice bum! ;P

deb@virginia blue said...

Yikes, Emma! That looks like it HURTS

TheHurt said...

Most of the time it's the drugs that you're taking.. I bruise like a peach, and didn't really think anything of it until I went to see the doctor about another issue. Some sort of autoimmune disease but they don't know what. Fun and games, eh? :D

That looks sore though, how on earth did you manage that?!

Luv Luv

xx

B said...

I get bruises like that so much I tease my husband about beating me in my sleep! The worst is when you just can't remember where they came from. Left you a little something at my blog. Come check it out.

Paige said...

I had a roommate that bruised like that---but she was bulimic and so malnourished that it was no wonder. She never knew where they came from

The Willeyes said...

That's a beaut! Be MORE careful:)

purplehaze said...

That really looks painful!

Rhonda said...

Good Heavens Emma! That looks awful. I'm worried about you. I think you oughta go get a battery of bloodwork done to make sure it's nothin' else. But I'm sorta paranoid like that.

You don't know how that happened? That's about the worst bruise I've ever seen. Oh and you should totally send a thank you note to mayo clinic, they're so helpful with the make up tip. ;)

andrew's mom said...

I am worried about you-I have NEVER in my life had a bruise that looks like that! Of course I have a plethora of fat covering so that is helpful...but, are you sure you shouldn't see a doctor? I know, you don't even know me and I am all up in your business, but after reading your blog I feel like I know you and I do care!

Dianne said...

I would have stopped with the first google answer. I would say they knew better than me and who was I to argue with ANYONE who says I do not have enough fat. Oh yeah, I could hang on to that for a long time, like until I try on a swimsuit...

Steph Glazier-Collao said...

Ah, the Mayo Clinic thinks like woman. Nice bruise, girl :)

Puphigirl said...

Did that come from your cage fighting? Jeez! Also, protein was a little misspelled.

Laura said...

oh my goodness1!! That bruise is AWFUL! wow. A LOVELY shade of purple I must say. haha.