A bruise is a discolored area of skin that usually results from small blood vessels breaking. Once ruptured, the blood vessels can leak blood into the microscopic tissues under the skin, causing a bruise or bruise. The causes of bruising can vary. Hard falls and various types of physical trauma are the most prominent causes of bruises. Bruising can also be caused by bleeding disorders, medications, vitamin deficiencies, and aging.
Hard falls and various types of physical trauma are the main causes of bruises. Falls can happen randomly during everyday life or when participating in activities such as recreational or contact sports. Other types of physical trauma can also cause bruising. For example, the skin may be traumatized enough to bruise from hitting an object or being involved in a car accident. Also, a bruise can be caused by physical injury or assault by another person.
Bleeding disorders are also causes of bruising. Sometimes people who bruise very easily go for long periods of time without knowing the cause. Often, after medical tests, the hematoma is sometimes related to a type of bleeding disorder. The disorders usually involve a problem with proper blood clotting. Examples of some common blood clotting disorders that cause bruising include Von Willebrand disease and hemophilia.
Certain medications can also cause bruising. For example, people who take different types of blood thinners are generally very susceptible to bruising. Blood thinners commonly include a medication such as Coumadin. Additionally, over-the-counter medications like aspirin can also thin the blood and make a person prone to bruising. Although not a blood thinner, corticosteroids can also cause bruising as they can thin the skin over time.
Causes of bruising can also include vitamin deficiencies. When a person's body lacks essential vitamins, he or she can develop a vitamin deficiency. Some of the more common deficiencies include vitamin C and B12 deficiencies. Deficiencies can result from malnutrition, stress, and destructive behaviors such as smoking and drug use. Many may not be aware that bruising is listed as one of the many health-related side effects of a vitamin deficiency.
Also, aging can be one of the most natural causes of bruising. In general, as people get older, they bruise more easily. For this reason, older people generally bruise more easily than younger people. This can be attributed to the appearance of thinning skin as people age. In addition, capillary walls can also weaken over time, which can also make it easier to bruise.