7 Health Reasons You Might Be Noticing Inexplicable Bruises On Your Body

Nov 08, 2018

We've all discovered a bruise on our body at some point and wondered how it got there.

If you're prone to finding marks on your skin with no explanation as to where they came from, it may be a sign of a health problem.

Sometimes, bruises can signify a medical condition or change to our bodies. Here are seven possible explanations for those mysterious bruises you've noticed.

A lot of people lift too much weight in an effort to develop muscles faster. When your blood vessels are weak and unable to support the weight, these blood vessels can get damaged or break, resulting in bruising. Follow a proper weight training regime to develop strength over time. Incremental lifting is the safest and most effective way to tone up your physique and build muscle mass.

While these bruises typically don't indicate a health problem, they are a sign you're carrying or lifting too much and should lighten the load.

Some medications thin blood and lead to bruises. Antidepressants, anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics, for example, can make you more susceptible to developing bruises.

One medical people take routinely that can cause bruising is aspirin. Aspirin is antiplatelet, which means it stops blood cells from coming together and clotting.

Bruises are a warning sign for medical conditions like thrombocytopenia and leukemia. If you have pain, sore or tender muscles, bleeding gums or nosebleeds, seek a doctor immediately.

There are other symptoms to these and other diseases that you won't be able to miss, but if you're unsure whether your bruises are related to any other physical effects you may be experiencing, it's best to get a medical professional's opinion and rule out any potentially life-threatening causes.

Most of us understand the importance of eating a balanced diet, but most of us also fall short on that mission. When you work full-time, it can be difficult getting enough vitamins and minerals throughout the day.

Lack of vitamins like B12, K and C play crucial roles in blood circulation and clotting. Without adequate nutrition, blood vessels become frail and fragile. A lack of iron in your diet will only make blood vessels weaker.

Before you rush out to the store and buy some over-the-counter vitamin supplements, get a blood panel run by your doctor to see if you have a deficiency. You can also naturally boot your daily vitamin uptake by eating more fruits, vegetables and healthy sources of protein.

Some good sources of Vitamin B12 are:

• Fish.
• Meat and poultry.
• Eggs.
• Milk.

If your body's chemistry is out of whack, bruises may occur. A lack of estrogen is a common cause of bruising in women. If you're currently transitioning through menopause, pregnant or taking a hormonal medication, you may find that you're more prone to bruising than you used to be.

Changes in estrogen levels cause the walls of capillaries to weaken, resulting in frailer blood vessels and more frequently bruising.

Blood vessels break down over time, and the most common age-related bruises appear on the legs. Minor bumps that your younger skin wouldn't have noticed leave marks behind as you age.

You can counteract the effects of bruising due to aging by eating well and exercising regularly to build muscle mass.

If you notice your bruising is severe or is accompanied by other physical symptoms, schedule an appointment with your primary care physician.

Diabetes is a common but serious medical condition that impacts blood circulation. Bruises are often an early indicator of diabetes. Some other warning signs include blurred vision, white spots on the skin, sudden fatigue and excessive thirst.

Most bruises caused by an injury are red because of the blood under the skin. As the body breaks down the blood, the bruise will turn darker to blue, purple or even black. Between five to 10 days after an injury, the bruise should fade to yellow or green. Over the next several days, the bruise should lighten and fade completely within two weeks.

If your bruise does not match this description, changes shape, spreads or does not fade with time, seek medical attention ASAP.

Have you ever found a source for your mysterious bruises? Tell us in the comments below! Don't forget to share this article on your social media to make sure they are aware of the potential reasons they might be noticing unexplainable bruises. 

Our content is created to the best of our knowledge, yet it is of general nature and cannot in any way substitute an individual consultation by your doctor. Your health is important to us!