You may have wondered why it is as you
have gotten older; you seem to bruise more easily and find bruises that you do
even remember getting. There is a
scientific explanation for why the problem occurs more commonly in the elderly,
and generally bruises do not require treatment and are not serious. However please keep in mind that significant
bruising can be a sign of medical problems and should be discussed with your
health care provider.
According to the Mayo Clinic, a
bruise, know in medical terms as a contusion, occurs “when small blood vessels
(capillaries) near the skin's surface are broken by the impact of a blow or
injury — often on the arms or legs.” This impact causes blood to leak out of the
vessels and look like the black-and-blue-mark we are all familiar with. As we age, our skin becomes thinner and loses
some of the fatty layer that protects our blood vessels from injury, thus making
it easier to bruise.
While most bruises do not require a
doctor’s care, Dr. Aarthi Anand, a board certified geriatrician and family
medicine practitioner in Los Angeles, suggests applying a frozen compress for up
to twenty minutes at a time. Also if you
elevate the bruised area higher than your heart during the first 24 hours of
the injury, it will help to reduce swelling and inflammation.
There are several steps you can take
to try to eliminate getting bruised in the first place. To start, make sure your living space has a
clear path to move around in so you can avoid bumping into things as well as help
prevent falls. Another thing you may
want to do is to use a cane or walker if you are unsteady when you stand up or while
walking.
This
post is intended for informational purposes only. Please contact your health care provider with
any questions or concerns you have regarding your health.
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Sources:mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/healthy-aging/in-depth/easy-bruising/art-20045762
aplaceformom.com/senior-care-resources/articles/elderly-bruising
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