alcoholism and bruising

Alcoholism is one of the organs most affected by alcoholism. It can lead to liver problems including fatty liver, hepatitis and cirrhosis. This can develop into alcohol hepatitis, which is the inflammation of the liver. In the beginning stages of alcoholism, drinking escalates and the individual develops an increased tolerance for alcohol.

When to Seek Professional Help for Alcohol-induced Bruising?

  • Continued liver damage due to alcohol consumption can lead to the formation of scar tissue, which begins to replace healthy liver tissue.
  • Erin is a Nurse Practitioner with 8 years of experience in midwifery and women’s health.
  • It increases the risk of various types of cancer, as well as high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.
  • Furthermore, in extreme cases, bruises from drinking can be a sign of liver damage, which can be dangerous.
  • Having hepatitis C or other liver diseases with heavy alcohol use can rapidly increase the development of cirrhosis.

Most medically managed or monitored rehabilitation programs last less than two weeks. Many alcoholic individuals benefit from longer-term rehabilitation programs, day treatment programs, or outpatient programs. These programs involve education, therapy, addressing problems contributing to or resulting from the alcoholism, and learning skills to manage the alcoholism over time. Although stopping drinking alcohol is the most effective treatment for alcoholic liver disease, it is not a complete cure. People who have progressed to alcoholic hepatitis or cirrhosis most likely will not be able to reverse the disease. Continuing to drink, even when it causes health problems, is a sign of an alcohol use disorder.

  • While many things could lead to you developing jaundice, a common cause is high levels of alcohol consumption.
  • Plus, you’re more susceptible to an accidental fall or bump after you’ve been drinking, anyway.
  • Some may experience mild pain in the upper right side of the abdomen.
  • The inability to stop drinking while being aware of the consequences indicates that you may be developing alcohol dependence.

Signs and symptoms of easy bruising

alcoholism and bruising

In general, it takes years for alcoholic neuropathy to develop, so a long-standing history of heavy alcohol use is typical. Some people experience a faster alcoholism and bruising onset and progression of alcoholic neuropathy than others. It’s not completely clear why some people are more prone to this complication than others.

Withdrawal symptoms

alcoholism and bruising

There are three stages—alcoholic fatty liver disease, alcoholic hepatitis, and alcoholic cirrhosis. Although 90% of people who drink heavily develop fatty liver disease, only 20% to 40% will go on to develop alcoholic hepatitis. Fatty liver disease can also develop after binge drinking, which is defined as drinking four to five drinks in two hours or less.

alcoholism and bruising

Support for Me and My Family

It affects more men than women and is fatal 10 to 20 percent of the time. Between 90 and 100 percent of alcoholics develop a fatty liver, which can progress to cirrhosis. However, if the disease progresses, it is often not reversible. Medications and lifestyle modifications may also be prescribed depending on the stage. First, alcoholics are more likely to fall and injure themselves, which can cause bruising.

When to call the doctor

There is growing evidence for genetic and biologic predispositions for this disease. First-degree relatives of individuals with alcohol use disorder are four to seven times more likely to develop alcoholism than the general population. Research has implicated a gene (D2 dopamine receptor gene) that, when inherited in a specific form, might increase a person’s chance of developing alcoholism. Von Willebrand disease (VWD) is the most common inherited bleeding disorder, affecting up to 1% of the population.

alcoholism and bruising

Withdrawal Symptoms

Alcoholic Hepatitis vs. Viral Hepatitis