Do you wake up with a new bruise frequently? Bruising can occur naturally, but if you find yourself with no explanation for bruises, it may be more than just forgetting you bumped into something. In Functional Medicine, we look at the underlying causes for health concerns. Keep reading for why you have have mystery bruises explained by our Functional Medicine Team.
What is a bruise?
A bruise occurs when small blood vessels or capillaries near the skin are broken due to impact or injury. The blood from the blood vessels or capillary spill into the tissue, creating the discoloration that we know as a bruise. Your body will eventually reabsorb the blood causing the bruise to go away.
What Causes Bruising?
Medications like aspirin or supplement like gingko are both considered anti-coagulants or blood thinners. Blood thinners slow down your body’s process of clot formation. A blood clot is formed when platelets come together to stop bleeding or to repair damaged vessels like veins and arteries.
Topical corticosteroids which are used to reduce inflammation. Bruising can occur due to skin atrophy or thinning of the skin with long term use. This condition can be reversable with discontinued use.
Deficiencies
B12: found in animal protein. Deficiencies in B12 can cause a condition referred to as pernicious anemia. Pernicious anemia occurs when the body has a low amount of RBC available to carry oxygen to the body’s tissues. This can be identified in general labs.
Vitamin C: vitamin c plays a role in collagen production. Collagen is a protein found in connective tissues like hair, skin, joints and blood vessels. In a vitamin C deficiency, the blood vessels lack collagen (structure) causing them to easily be broken.
Vitamin K: A deficiency in vitamin K causes bruising because the body needs vitamin K to produce a protein called prothrombin. Prothrombin is a clotting factor.
The cause for your individual bruises will vary — but we are here to help solve the mystery. Our Functional Medicine Providers can help determine what tests are necessary for you.
About Functional Medicine
Our Functional Medicine & Clinical Nutrition team addresses the underlying cause of disease. Examining dietary, lifestyle, genetic, and environmental factors, we are able to uncover and effectively treat the root cause of health concerns. Informed by thorough clinical and diagnostic testing, we create individualized plans to help your patients achieve optimal health through focused one-on-one sessions.
Our team of Functional Medicine experts is here to help you achieve optimal wellness and meet all your health goals! Click the button below to schedule an appointment.
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