Alcoholic Bruising

[IntoxicatedDMMKM]

So, I've been drinking pretty heavy every night for a couple of years, never during the day, just at the end of the night.

Anyway, I'm 21 and I've begun to notice bruises on my arms and legs, I have never gotten drunk enough to fall over or bump myself, they seem to just appear out of nowhere.

I've read, it's a result of a damaged liver and very thin blood. I just never thought I'd was hardcore enough to start getting these bruises. I've only seen them on 24/7 hard liquor drinkers.

Does anybody else who have been drinkers in the past ever notice these? Is 21 an early age to start having bruises all over?

 

[brandy42]

Yes, I'm working professional in my ealy thirties - probably been drinking way too much for the last decade.

I have seen these, small but random bruising here and there on my arms from time to time.

I had a liver funcion test about half a year ago - nothing untoward as yet.

 

[n3ophy7e]

Go to your doctor and get your liver function tested as soon as you can. Liver function can start to decline at any age if it's been beaten hard enough, so go get checked out asap.

But the good thing about the liver is that it's pretty good at rejuvinating itself if we give it a good long break from toxic substances. You should definitely consider reducing your alcohol intake, I would recommend that you aim to have at least 2 or 3 completely alcohol-free days per week.

 

[IntoxicatedDMMKM]

Is it possible for the liver to have Irreversible damage?

I got a liver function test at 18, and I all my enzymes were already out of wack.

It's been 3 years since then, and I've been drinking even more.

Can you do enough damage that the liver can not recover?

 

[IntoxicatedDMMKM]

I'm obviously gonna take a break and maybe abuse my lungs a bit more instead.

Is it too late for my liver?

 

[Jabberwocky]

Is it too late for my liver?

It is going to take a physician and some lab tests to know for sure the problem is your liver. He will have a good idea about prognosis, people out on the web even if they happen to be physicians are not going to be able to give you diagnosis or prognosis about liver function. We can only recognize that certain situations require a doctor's attention.

 

[Lady Codone]

Some people are more prone to liver damage, such as those with underlying conditions or people who take acetaminophen or other liver toxic substances in addition to alcohol. Alcohol is actually one of the more toxic drugs out there, especially when used over long periods. The risk of chronic organ damage from marijuana, hallucinogens and even opiates doesn't come close.

Not that you should trade one habit for another, but replacing a harmful habit for a less harmful one is better than continuing down the same path. (Complete sobriety isn't always realistic for everyone). I'd see a doctor about this ASAP. Be honest about your concerns or your results won't be as accurate, and try to cut down on your booze intake for the time being. Liver disease is one of those things that creeps up on you--you feel fine until the latter stages and then it's a rapid descent into cirrhosis, liver failure or liver cancer.