The Greek word kýanos , which can be translated as "navy blue" , derived from kyánōsis , which refers to a bluish coloration . From this concept comes the Latin cyanosis, the etymological origin of cyanosis .
The blue hue that the skin acquires due to a problem in blood circulation is called cyanosis. The color change is produced by the concentration of hemoglobin lacking oxygen in those blood vessels that are located close to the surface of the skin, or by the presence of abnormal hemoglobin pigments in the red blood cells.
In normal situations, human blood is red . When this blood is not oxygenated, it appears to turn bluish due to the optical properties that the skin has. Along with that optical discoloration that we know as cyanosis, vasoconstriction usually occurs (the blood vessels narrow).
Cyanosis, therefore, is linked to tissues with a low oxygen concentration , since the blood is deoxygenated. That is why the skin turns bluish or dark, as happens with the mucous membranes and lips in a situation of hypoxia .
In order to diagnose a condition of cyanosis, the doctor will perform the following steps:
-You must thoroughly read the medical history of the patient in question.
-You have to observe if the nails, lips or tongue of the person in question have a bluish tone.
-He will ask the patient if he has been subjected to low temperatures or if he has consumed different types of drugs.
-It will be in charge of measuring your blood pressure and the strength of your pulse and even checking your heart rate or the sounds you make when you breathe.
-He will check if you have a fever.
A distinction can be made between peripheral cyanosis and central cyanosis . Peripheral cyanosis affects the extremities (including fingers and nails), ears, and nose. It can be treated by elevating the affected limb or warming the region to increase oxygenation. Central cyanosis, on the other hand, can be due to heart or lung problems.
In the same way, we cannot ignore the fact that there are two other types of cyanosis that are worth discovering:
-True cyanosis. Under this name is cyanosis, which is considered to disappear when the skin is pressed. Within this category are both central and peripheral cyanosis.
-Pseudocyanosis, which does not disappear when the skin is squeezed. It must be said that it is not at all common and that this skin pigmentation occurs as a result of the use of a drug or due to heavy metals .
In addition to everything indicated, we cannot ignore that cyanosis can also occur in newborns. Among the common symptoms they experience are that they get very tired when eating, that they may gain little weight, that they feel weak and even that they appear very irritable. Not to mention that they may emit a series of strange noises when taking each breath.
Drug overdose, intracranial hemorrhage, COPD, bronchiolitis, pulmonary embolism, myocardial infarction , heart failure, venous obstruction, hypothermia, and cerebral hypoxia are some of the possible causes of cyanosis.