Unexplained bruises can be easy to dismiss. Many people assume they simply “bump into things” or chalk it up to aging, but frequent or unusual bruising can sometimes be your body’s way of sending an urgent message. While occasional bruises are normal, especially for those who are active, sudden or persistent bruises—particularly when accompanied by other symptoms—should never be ignored. They may indicate underlying health problems that require immediate attention.
To understand why bruises matter, it helps to know what they are. A bruise forms when small blood vessels beneath the skin are damaged and leak blood into surrounding tissue, creating discoloration that shifts from red and purple to green and yellow as it heals. Most bruises fade within one to two weeks. But if bruises appear without any clear cause, take longer to heal, or occur alongside other red flags, they could be signs of something more serious than a minor injury.
One major cause of unexplained bruising is blood disorders. Low platelet counts, for instance, impair the blood’s ability to clot, making even slight bumps leave large marks. Conditions like leukemia can also present with easy bruising…
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