Bruise
Description
A bruise is an injury with blood vessel eruption and blood diffusion into subcutaneous tissue. The skin becomes discolored, possibly forming a hematoma, but is not broken. Bruises are associated with external and internal causes. In the latter case, a doctor should be seen immediately.
Causes
Blow to skin
Internal disorder
Insufficient vitamin C
Insufficient vitamin K
Signs & Symptoms
Discoloration
Pain at site of bruise
Tenderness
Nutritional Supplements
Structure & Function:
Immune System Support &
Circulatory Support
---------------------------------
General Supplements
---------------------------------
| Adult | Child/Adolescent | |
| Bee propolis* | ||
| Bioflavonoids | 500 - 1,000 mg | 200 - 500 mg |
| Copper | 1 - 3 mg | 1 - 2 mg |
| Iodine | 500 - 1,000 mcg | 200 - 500 mcg |
| Rutin | 100 - 200 mg | 20 - 100 mg |
| Vitamin C | 1,000 - 3,000 mg | 500 - 2,000 mg |
| Vitamin E | 200 - 400 IU | 100 - 200 IU |
| Vitamin K | 1 - 2 mcg | 0.5 - 1 mcg |
* Please refer to the respective topic for specific nutrient amounts.
Bee propolis may be taken orally, or applied externally, as a salve ( both with honey).
Note: All amounts are in addition to those supplements having a Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA). Due to individual needs, one must always be aware of a possible undetermined effect when taking nutritional supplements. If any disturbances from the use of a particular supplement should occur, stop its use immediately and seek the care of a qualified health care professional.
Dietary Considerations
The blood clotting time and the fragility of blood vessels determine to what degree bruises result from trauma or illness.
Decreased blood clotting time can be due to vitamin K deficiency. This can be remedied through vitamin K supplements or by increasing the dietary intake of the following items in a Dietary Goals Diet:
| Dark green leafy vegetables | Liver |
| Cauliflower | Egg yolk |
| Green pea | Milk |
| Cereals |
Vitamin A toxicity may also decrease blood clotting time. Toxicity is associated with vitamin A doses greater than 50,000 IU per day. Capillary fragility can be an indication of calcium deficiency.
The integrity of blood vessels can be improved with calcium supplementation or by eating calcium-rich foods.
Vitamin C deficiency can also cause capillary fragility. It is manifested by a tendency to bruise, bleeding of the joints and gums and petechial or pinpoint hemorrhages. Scurvy is the clinical condition for vitamin C deficiency in its extreme form. Scurvy is rare in the United States. Vitamin C supplementation or the addition of vitamin-rich foods to the diet will reverse the symptoms of vitamin C deficiency.
Anticoagulant properties of the coumarins are increased if used in conjunction with salicylates such as aspirin or acidic sulfonamides. A tendency to bleed will occur.
Gastric bleeding may be due to the usage of steroids. This medication should be taken with meals or, perhaps, with antacids.
Homeopathic Remedy
1.* Hamamelis virginica 6X to 30C (for chronic conditions)
2.* Millefolium tinct. 3C to 30C
3. Trillium 15C to 30C
4.* Arnica montana tinct.15C for healing
Treatment Schedule
Doses cited are to be administered on a 3X daily schedule, unless otherwise indicated. Dose usually continued for 2 weeks. Liquid preparations usually use 8-10 drops per dose. Solid preps are usually 3 pellets per dose. Children use 1/2 dose.
Legend
X = 1 to 10 dilution - weak (triturition)
C = 1 to 100 dilution - weak (potency)
M = 1 to 1 million dilution (very strong)
X or C underlined means it is most useful potency
Asterisk (*) = Primary remedy. Means most necessary remedy. There may be more than one remedy - if so, use all of them.
References
Boericke, D.E., 1988. Homeopathic Materia Medica.
Coulter, C.R., 1986. Portraits of Homeopathic Medicines.
Kent, J.T., 1989. Repertory of the Homeopathic Materia Medica.
Koehler, G., 1989. Handbook of Homeopathy.
Shingale, J.N., 1992. Bedside Prescriber.
Smith, Trevor, 1989. Homeopathic Medicine.
Ullman, Dana, 1991. The One Minute (or so) Healer.
Herbal Approaches
----------
Herbs
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Aloe vera plant
Arnica
Chamomile
Chickweed
Elder
Note: The misdirected use of an herb can produce severely adverse effects, especially in combination with prescription drugs. This Herbal information is for educational purposes and is not intended as a replacement for medical advice.
Discussion:
Most remedies are applied externally. The role of digestive enzymes, taken internally, remains controvertial.
Arnica is recommended by the German Commission E along with e.g. Melilot and St. John's Wort.
References:
Blumenthal, M (Ed.): The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council. Austin, TX. 1998.
Hoffmann, D: The New Holistic Herbal. Element, 1983. Third edition 1990.
Aromatherapy - Essential Oils
| Angelica Essence | Chamomile Essence, |
| Calendula Essence, | Cypress Essence, |
| Geranium Essence, | Hyssop Essence, |
| Lavender Essence, | Marjoram Essence, |
| Peppermint Essence. |
Related Health Conditions
| Blood clot | Injury |
| Internal disorders | Pain |
| Wound |
References
Baker, J.L. The Effectiveness of Vitamin E In Reducing the Incidence of Spherical Contracture Around Breast Implants. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 68 1981.
Bates L et al., Domestic violence experienced by women attending an accident and emergency department. Aust J Public Health, 1995 Jun, 19:3, 293-9.
Bland, Jeffrey. Nutraerobics. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1983.
Bland, Jeffrey. Medical Applications of Clinical Nutrition. New Canaan, Conn.: Keats, 1983.
Castagnino, E. & S. Corsano. Evaluation of Activity on Capillary Permeability of Flavonoids. Farmaco, 38 (1983).
Crisco, J.J. et al: A muscle contusion injury model. Biomechanics, physiology and histology. Am. J. Sports. Med. 1994 Sep-Oct; 22(5): 702-10.
Eagles, J.A. & M.N. Randall. 1980. Handbook of Normal and Therapeutic Nutrition. Raven Press, New York. 323 pp.
Guyton, A.C. 1976. Textbook Of Medical Physiology 5th ed. Saunders Pub Co., Philadelphia. 1194 pp.
Howe, P.S. 1981. Basic Nutrition in Health and Disease, 7th ed. W. B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia.
Hui, Y.H. 1983. Human nutrition and diet therapy. Wadsworth, Inc; Belmont, California. 1039 pp.
Ingelfinger, F.J. 1980. Dorland's Medical Dictionary. Saunders Press Pub., Philadelphia. 740 pp.
Kirschmann, J.D. 1990. Nutrition Almanac: Nutrition Search. McGrew-Hill: New York.
Metzner, J. Influence of Flavonoids on Capillary Permeability, Carageenin Edema, and Histamine Spasms. Agents Actions, 10, 1982.
Pennington, J. 1978. Nutritional Diet Therapy. Bull Publishing Co., Palo Alto, Ca. 106 pp.
Petersdorf, R.G. & R.D. Adams. 1983. Harrison's Principles Of Internal Medicine. 10th ed. McGraw Hill Pub Co., New York. 2212
Potsch, L. & Bohl, J.: Traumatic lesions of the extracrainal vertebral artery - a note-worthy potentially lethal injury. Int. J. Legal. Med. 1994; 107(2): 99-107.
Sim, E: Vertical facet splitting: a special variant of rotary dislocations of the cervical spine. J. Neurosurg. 1995 Feb; 82(2): 239-43.
Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Stedman's Medical Dictionary. 24th Edition. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins, 1982.
Stephenson T & Bialas Y: Estimation of the age of bruising. Arch Dis Child, 1996 Jan, 74:1, 53-5.
Tanaka, H et al: Excitatory amino acid release from contused brain tissue into surrounding brain areas. Acta. Neurochir. Supp. Wien. 1994; 60: 524-7.
Thomas, C.L. 1985. Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary. F.A. Davis Co. Pub., Philadelphia. 2170 pp.
Wyngaarden, J.B. & L. H. Smith. 1985. Cecil's Textbook of Medicine. Saunders Pub Co., Philadelphia. 2341 pp.
Yuen, E.C.et al: Sciatic neuropathy: clinical and prognostic features in 73 patients. Neurology. 1994 Sep; 44(9): 1669-74.
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