A bruise is a discolored area of skin that generally results from the breakage of tiny blood vessels. Once broken, the blood vessels can leak blood into microscopic tissues lying underneath the skin, resulting in a bruise or contusion. The causes of bruising can vary. Hard falls and miscellaneous types of physical trauma are the most prominent bruise causes. Bruising may also be caused by bleeding disorders, medications, vitamin deficiencies and aging.
Hard falls and various types of physical traumas are the foremost causes of bruising. Falls may occur randomly during everyday life or while participating in activities such as recreational or contact sports. Other types of physical trauma can cause bruising as well. For example, the skin may be traumatized enough to bruise by bumping into an object or by being involved in an automobile accident. In addition, a bruise may be caused by being physically injured or assaulted by another person.
Bleeding disorders can also cause bruising. Sometimes, individuals who bruise very easily go for long periods of time without knowing the cause. Often, after medical tests, the bruising is sometimes linked to a type of bleeding disorder. Most typically, the disorders involve a problem with the blood clotting properly. Examples of some common blood clotting disorders that cause bruising include Von Willebrand's disease and hemophilia.
Certain medications can also cause bruising. For instance, individuals 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 medicines such as aspirin may also thin the blood and make a person prone to bruising. Although it is not a blood thinner, corticosteroids may also cause bruising, as they may thin the skin over time.
The causes of bruising may include vitamin deficiencies as well. When a person's body lacks essential vitamins, he or she may develop a vitamin deficiency. Some of the most common deficiencies include vitamin C and B12 deficiencies. The deficiencies may result from malnutrition, stress and destructive behaviors such as smoking and drug usage. Many may not know that bruising is listed as one of the many health-related side effects of a vitamin deficiency.
Furthermore, aging can be one of the most natural causes of bruising. Generally, as people age, they bruise more easily. For this reason, older individuals generally bruise more easily than younger people. This may be attributed to the occurrence of thinning skin as people age. In addition, the capillary walls may also weaken over time, which can also make bruising easier.