Bruising

Bleeding into the skin, subcutaneous tissues, or mucous membranes. Purpura is flat areas where blood has collected under the tissue; a hematoma is a larger collection that forms a lump.

• Most kids are perpetual motion machines. In the course of a regular day, it is not uncommon for an active child to bang into several hard objects and wake up the next day with an assortment of new bruises. As parents, you have learned to accept these bruises as a normal part of childhood. The question, then, is when should you worry that your child is bruising too much. 
  While very rare, there are instances when bruising in children is the first sign of a health problem. These problems could include clotting disorders such as hemophilia, infections, liver disease, cancers, and vitamin deficiencies (vitamin C in particular). There are also times when it is a sign that a child is being physically abused. 
  Here are some clues that the bruising is related to a more serious problem: 
• Bleeding from the gums
• Bleeding from a cut or a nosebleed that continues even after applying pressure for 20 minutes to the injured area 
• Lots of lumpy, tender lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin 
• Belly pain or a hard mass in the belly 
• Bruising all over the body without a recent big fall 
• Swollen and tender joints 
• Bruises that are a strange shape and that appear on the back, head, or genitals 
• Signs of serious illness, including fevers that come and go, constant fatigue, or weight loss

Chew your food. "The more slowly you eat, and the better your food is broken down, the less likely you are to suffer from gas caused by swallowing air," says Dr. Frank. And the less likely you are to feel bloated.
Clue in to classic "bloat foods." Raw vegetables, cabbage, beans, bagels and pretzels (which are cooked in boiling, bubbly water) also are big gas, and by extension, bloat-producers, Dr. Palmer says.
Soak your limas and lentils. Beans are full of fiber and good for you, so if you want to keep eating limas, lentils or any other members of the bean crowd, soak them in water overnight”, says Dr. Frank. The water will drain out some of the gas. "Then, throw out the water and cook the beans in fresh water."
Neutralize bean gas. Beano, available over the counter in liquid or tablet form, is a liquid enzyme that breaks down the indigestible sugars in beans, says Linda Lee, M.D., assistant professor of medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore. Just sprinkle several drops right on the beans or take two tablets before you eat.
Shun the sugarless. Sorbitol, a natural sugar used in sugarless gums and candies and many diet sodas, also is hard to digest and causes gas and bloating, Dr. Lee says.
PMS? Skip the chocolate. You want, you crave, you must have chocolate before you menstruate. But do you want it so badly that you're willing to risk getting bloated?
"Be especially sure to monitor symptoms when you eat chocolate, a major cause of that overfull feeling," Dr. Frank says. Why chocolate? It contains sugar and dairy, both major sources of gas. And, as it happens, studies have shown that women crave chocolate more than men, especially just before menstruation. If you find that chocolate, or any other food, is a bloating culprit, stop eating it.

• Local injury or trauma
• Allergic reaction
• Autoimmune disorders
• Viral infection or illness affecting blood coagulation
• Thrombocythemia
• Medical treatment, including radiation and chemotherapy
• Bruise (ecchymosis)
• Birth (petechiae in the newborn)
• Aging skin (ecchymosis)
• Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (petechiae and purpura)
• Henoch-Schonlein purpura (purpura)· Leukemia (purpura and ecchymosis)
• Drugs
• Anticoagulants such as warfarin or heparin (ecchymosis)
• Aspirin (ecchymosis)
• Cortisone (ecchymosis)
• Septicemia (petechiae, purpura, ecchymosis)
• Violent vomiting or coughing (petechiae)
  

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include: 

Many Americans eat insufficient amounts of foods containing vitamin C; the disease caused by vitamin C deficiency, scurvy, causes easy bruising. While very few people actually have scurvy, even minor deficiencies of vitamin C can increase bruising. People who experience easy bruising may want to try eating more fruits and vegetables—common dietary sources of vitamin C. Doctors can assess the diet by using a diet diary, sometimes accompanied by computerized diet analysis. A diet diary is a written record of what and how much a person is eating, usually divided into sections by meal and/or day. As used by many doctors, diet diaries lasting one week are most common. If such an analysis reveals a lack of dietary vitamin C and flavonoids (related compounds), the diet requires more fruits and vegetables to correct the problem.

• Bruises (or purpuric lesions) are not permanent and will fade if the underlying cause can be treated successfully.
•   For a hematoma, apply pressure and cold compresses initially to help reduce bleeding and swelling. After the first day, apply hot compresses to help speed the absorption of blood.
• · For aging skin, protection of skin is recommended. Avoid trauma (such as bumping or pulling on skin areas).
• · For a cut or scrape, use direct pressure to stop the bleeding.
• · For a drug reaction, identify and consult the health care provider about discontinuing the drug.

• Apply ice frequently and squeeze bruise to release blood congestion. Rub vigorously.
• Don’t take aspirin if bruising is frequent.