Cyanosis - Symptom, Causes, picture, Treatment of Persistent cyanosis

What is Cyanosis?

Cyanosis is a blue or purplish tinge to the skin, lips and lining membranes of the mouth, indicating a lack d oxygen in the blood. Cyanosis is a finding based on observation, not a laboratory test. Cyanosis can be divided into two categories, central and peripheral. The central type is seen when arterial blood is deoxygenated or an abnormal hemoglobin exists. This situation is physically manifest by skin and mucous membrane involvement. Peripheral cyanosis is due to an abnormally high amount of oxygen extraction in the periphery due to slow peripheral blood flow. All physiologic states of decreased peripheral blood flow may lead to cyanosis.

Causes of Cyanosis

Cyanosis causes include lung disorder heart failure, congenital heart disease and certain poisonings that interfere with the uptake of oxygen by blood in the lungs. Cyanosis may be caused by lung problems when not enough oxygen is getting into the bloodstream, or by circulatory problems. Circulatory problems include abnormal mixing of unoxygenated blood with oxygen carrying blood. Cyanosis is usually noted first around the lips and mouth, and perhaps in the nailbeds.

Cyanosis is usually noted first around the lips and mouth, and perhaps in the nailbeds. Cyanosis indicates there may be decreased oxygen in the bloodstream. It may suggest a problem with the lungs, but most often is a result of mixing blue and red blood due to defects of the heart or great vessels.

Persistent cyanosis must always be investigated so that the cause can be discovered and corrected.

Treatment of Cyanosis

Treatment of the underlying disease can restore proper color to the skin. Treatment depends on the cause. Here are the list of some of the effective treatment methods:

• Infections are often treated with antibiotics.
• Avoiding exposure to cold temperatures or warming the body may eliminate cyanosis related to cold temperatures.
• Oxygen may be needed to relieve shortness of breath.
• Some conditions, such as heart defects present at birth, may be treated with open heart surgery.
• Diuretics, or water pills, and other heart medications may be needed if heart failure is the cause.
• Surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy may be needed for lung cancer.

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