What Is Bruising?

Some people just bruise more than others but it doesn’t always mean there is some underlying condition that should be cause for concern. Actually, women are known to bruise more easily and more often than men. No, they are NOT clumsier, so get over it guys. It is thought that the ladies bruise more because they have thinner skin and those tiny veins are closer to the surface. But if you should notice that you are bruising more often than usual there are a few things you can watch for and there is also something you can do about the severity and duration of the bruise.

Bruising is nothing more than a pool of blood that is the result of a rupture or break in a blood vessel. The blood pools between the vein and the skin and it appears bluish or purplish when seen through the skin but in actuality the blood is red. If you apply ice immediately after the injury there is a possibility that the amount of blood that pools could be reduced. Also, vitamin K and bromelain supplements can be taken or topical products can be used for a few days after bruising. These are nutrients found in pineapples. Then again, you might just want to eat more pineapple in your diet. It has not been established whether or not that will help, but it sure would be delicious!

If you notice that you are bruising more frequently or in places where we don’t usually bruise such as the back or abdomen, it is recommended that you see your doctor because there may be some underlying health issue that is causing the deviation. In the meantime, if you are prone to bruising you might want to buy furniture that has rounded corners! Or wear protective gear around the house.