Cyanosis Symptoms and Signs - What to Watch For?

Understanding Cyanosis: Symptoms to Watch For & What to Do

Cyanosis is a condition marked by a bluish discolouration of the skin, lips, or nails, often indicating low oxygen levels in the blood. It can signal underlying health issues such as respiratory or circulatory problems. Recognising its signs and symptoms early is important for timely medical evaluation and care.

Various conditions influence the occurrence of cyanosis, like lung diseases, heart problems, and any diseases related to blood circulation. In rare cases, these symptoms may require medical attention. Treatment and diagnosis depend mainly on the cause of cyanosis, where oxygen supply is the common treatment approach.
 

What is cyanosis?

Cyanosis is a medical term that describes the appearance of a bluish tinge on the skin and lips due to an insufficient supply of oxygen in your bloodstream. If your skin has a darker complexion, it will be easier to see cyanosis around your nails, lips and eyes. The word 'cyanosis' means 'blue-green colour'.
 

What are the Different Types of Cyanosis?

There are three types of cyanosis, which include peripheral, circumoral, and central, and we will discuss them here in detail:
 

• Peripheral Cyanosis: It occurs mainly when your fingers, feet, hands, and toes turn blue. This can occur in extreme cold weather, and there is no protection for your hands or feet. Peripheral cyanosis is not life-threatening but requires quick treatment to prevent permanent injuries.
• Circumoral Cyanosis: Circumoral cyanosis occurs when your lips or mouth turn a bluish colour. Shrinkage of blood vessels due to extreme temperature causes this symptom. It is common for newborn babies and adults that extreme dry weather is the main causative factor for perioral cyanosis.
• Central Cyanosis: It means that other body parts, including hands and feet, had turned blue due to a lower oxygen supply in the blood. Common areas include the tongue, gums, chest, cheeks, and lips. Sometimes, serious heart or lung conditions can cause central blue skin symptoms.
   

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Cyanosis?

These are the common signs and symptoms of cyanosis to look for in patients:
 

1. Shortness of Breath

Shortness of breath, collectively known as dyspnoea, is a common symptom of cyanosis.

1. Low oxygen signs, like bluish skin colour, occur due to insufficiency of haemoglobin.
2. A lower oxygen saturation level makes it difficult for the body to deliver oxygen to tissues, resulting in shortness of breath.
3. Underlying conditions like COPD or pneumonia can worsen shortness of breath.
    

2.Chest Pain

Oxygen deprivation is the main cause of cyanosis, especially in adults.

1. Insufficient oxygen supply to the blood can occur due to underlying heart conditions like myocardial infarction and angina.
2. These conditions can hamper the normal functioning of the heart or lungs, leading to reduced oxygen delivery to the body.
3. Overpumping of blood can deteriorate the normal functioning of the heart, causing intense chest pain in older adults.
    

3.Headache

Symptoms of cyanosis, like headache, are common among adults in extreme climates.

1. Lower oxygen delivery to the brain and other tissues makes them hypoxic. It causes symptoms like headaches and dizziness.
2. Apart from this, due to a low level of oxygen, the body tries to compensate for this through increased production of red blood cells.
3. In certain critical conditions, methaemoglobin formation can cause cyanosis, and as it cannot carry oxygen, it increases the blood viscosity, leading to symptoms like headaches.
    

4.Fever

Cyanosis can result from underlying diseases, which may cause fever as a primary immune response. These conditions can cause fever and cyanosis:

1. Conditions like croup, pneumonia, and septic shock can cause fever, which is linked to cyanosis.
2. Reduced oxygen levels can cause subsequent diseases, which may raise the body temperature.
3. Lower oxygen levels or other underlying conditions can increase the metabolic rate and subsequently a fever.
    

5.Fatigue

Lower oxygen levels can result in a hypoxic cellular environment in different regions of the body.

1. Oxygen deficiencies impair the ability of the body to produce energy, which leads to weakness and fatigue.
2. Decreased oxygen levels hamper cellular respiration and other physiological functions.
3. Conditions like erythrocytosis can cause conditions, like hyperviscosity, that can result in fatigue.
    

6.Excessive Sweating

Excessive sweating is a predominant symptom of cyanosis due to the body’s low oxygen level. These are the factors that can cause excessive sweating in cyanosis:

1. Decreased supply of oxygen-rich blood to the tissues triggers the sympathetic nervous system.
2. It leads to increased perspiration, a faster heart rate, and increased breathing.
3. Skins in response to extreme cold may constrict (vasospasm) and cut down the supply of blood flow, leading to shortness of breath and excessive sweating.
    

7.Numbness

Numbness is a common symptom of cyanosis if that particular area is exposed to extreme cold temperatures.

These are the mechanisms of action of numbness:
 

1. Lack of oxygen supply to the particular tissues impairs the nerve function, leading to a sense of numbness.
2. Sometimes nerve endings can create a tingling sensation around the nails and fingers, which is known as Raynaud’s disease.
3. Improper heart functioning can give rise to nerve impairment throughout the body in the case of central cyanosis.
    

8.Loss of Consciousness

The brain requires a constant oxygen supply for proper functioning. In case of cyanosis, it can lead to improper functioning of the brain due to the following reasons, leading to loss of consciousness:

1. Loss of oxygen in the brain tissues can cause a hypoxic condition, which can lead to cerebral impairment.
2. Improper cerebral function can lead to conditions like dizziness, confusion and loss of consciousness.
3. Underlying cardiovascular infections or congenital heart diseases can cause loss of consciousness due to insufficient oxygen delivery to the brain.
    

What Causes Cyanosis?

Many conditions can cause a decreased level of oxygen in the bloodstream, resulting in cyanosis. These include:
 

1.Lung Diseases

1.Asthma
2.Upper respiratory tract infection
3.Pulmonary embolism
4.Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD)
5.Pneumonia
6.Pulmonary Hypertension

 

2.Heart Problems

1.Congenital heart defects.
2.Cardiac Arrest.
3.Myocardial infarction.

 

3.Pulmonary Problems

1.Croup or swelling around the vocal cords (larynx).
2.Suffocation or choking.
3.Inflammation of the epiglottis (epiglottitis).

What are the Diagnostic Tests for Cyanosis?

Let us discuss what the diagnostic tests are for recognising cyanosis in adults or children. These include:

1. Electrocardiogram (ECG): This is done to check the presence of any kind of cardiac abnormalities, which may cause cyanosis.
2. Chest X-Ray: Chest X-ray can determine conditions like pulmonary infarction, pneumonia, or cardiac failure.
3. Echocardiogram: It is a rapid test to get a detailed structure of the heart and its function.
4. Arterial Blood Gas Analysis (ABGA): The following test involves collecting an arterial blood sample to measure the oxygen, pH, and carbon dioxide levels.
5. Pulse Oximeter: It is a non-invasive, rapid test that measures the body’s oxygen saturation through a device.
    

The Bottom Line

If you do not seek any immediate medical attention, cyanosis can lead to serious health complications. In rare cases, it can prove fatal if doctors do not administer proper medications to the patients.

Using inhalers to treat conditions like COPD can improve lung function. Additionally, quitting smoking and alcohol consumption can improve the condition.