Lips are muscular folds covered on one side with a layer of skin, and on the side of the mouth with a layer of mucous membrane. Not here subcutaneous tissue, therefore the vessels with which the muscle is abundantly saturated are very clearly visible. They give the lips their characteristic red color. The shade varies depending on the number and location of blood vessels, the level of hemoglobin and its oxygen saturation.
When a person’s lips turn blue, this means that there is a lot of hemoglobin in the vessels, which has already given up its oxygen to the tissues, and at the same time has not replenished its reserves. This happens with respiratory diseases and cardiovascular system. Similar manifestations in children and adults can occur with some blood diseases.
A little about breathing, blood circulation and hemoglobin
Hemoglobin, which is found in red blood cells, is a protein that carries oxygen into tissues and carbon dioxide out of them. This is possible thanks to a special iron-containing part of the protein molecule, heme. To carry out its main function, the latter must be present in the amount of 4 molecules - one for each chain that makes up hemoglobin.
In order for hemoglobin to attach oxygen to itself, many conditions are needed:
- There should be a sufficient amount of it. To do this, the body must have enough iron, folic acid, protein, vitamin B12; The erythrocyte membrane should not be damaged and the connections between its subunits should be strong.
- To respiratory center, located in medulla oblongata(This end part brain, connecting to the spinal cord), gave the command to breathe in the correct rhythm, and so that this rhythm was not interrupted by commands generated by the consciousness. Yes, when panic attack a person feels short of air and forces himself to breathe more often than necessary. A person can also consciously reduce the number of breaths (for example, when performing some spiritual practices).
- The breathing frequency set by the brain must be transmitted without obstacles to the respiratory muscles - the diaphragm and intercostal muscles. To do this, the spinal cord in the cervical and thoracic regions should not be pinched, interrupted, or inflamed. The connections between spinal nerve and muscle, as happens with botulism, poisoning with neuroparalytic poisons (including animal bites).
- So that in the respiratory sections of the lungs the membrane through which gas exchange occurs (oxygen penetrates the red blood cell, and carbon dioxide is released into the alveoli, from where it will then be exhaled) has normal properties. It should not be swollen, as with pneumonia, and there should be no fluid in it, as with pulmonary edema.
- There must be a certain level of oxygen pressure to ensure the penetration of oxygen into the red blood cell. It also depends on atmospheric pressure, and from the work of the heart, and from the patency of the blood vessels of the lungs (there may be atherosclerotic plaques, blood clots, fat or air emboli), and from the patency of the bronchi and bronchioles.
- The fluid pressure in the capillaries of the lungs must be low so that the liquid part of the blood does not leak into the tissues. This is possible by squeezing lymphatic vessels air (with pneumothorax), lung tumors.
- In addition, hemoglobin itself should not be occupied by a more tightly held molecule. This can be done by a CO molecule - carbon monoxide, some substances that either oxidize heme iron (this is how methemoglobin is obtained), or add a sulfo group to it, already connected to oxygen.
Violation of at least one of the conditions described above for the normal penetration of oxygen into hemoglobin (except for those associated with anemia - against the background of a small amount of oxygen in the mucous membranes) are the reasons why the lips of an adult turn blue.
In children, additional causes are abnormalities in the development of the heart and blood vessels (“blue” defects). Here, inside the cavities of the heart, arterial, oxygen-rich blood mixes with venous blood, from where oxygen has already been “taken”. Such blood follows its usual path - to every cell of every tissue, but does not provide them with sufficient nutrition, which is why the lips turn blue. “Blue” defects do not appear from birth, since for a couple of weeks fetal hemoglobin still circulates in the baby’s blood - the one that ensured tissue trophism and, accordingly, the growth and development of the child in the prenatal period. Such hemoglobin “knows how to feed” tissues more efficiently, but it is destroyed more quickly when pH and body temperature change. As red blood cells mature and the total blood volume increases, despite the fact that the body experiences oxygen starvation, fetal (fetal) hemoglobin is replaced by that found in the red blood cells of an adult.
The above reasons cause hypoxia of all tissues, which can be noticed primarily by the bluish or purple tint of the lips. If it only turns blue upper lip or lower, this may mean that it is here that microcirculation is impaired due to poor venous outflow or impaired arterial inflow. This may be due to intradermal tumor or inflammation. Less commonly, periodic (in the cold, when swimming) blue lips may be due to the close proximity of the vessels in the orbicularis muscle, from which the lips are “made.”
Causes of blue lips not related to disease
There are few of them, they arise due to the impact on the body external factors, which lead to the fact that hemoglobin bound to oxygen becomes 50 or more grams per liter (with a norm of 30 g/l and total hemoglobin of more than 100 g/l). This:
- long stay in spaces where there is little oxygen: tightly closed car cabins, aircraft, wells, mines;
- rise to height;
- complication of such treatment as hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which consists in finding a person in a chamber with high blood pressure, under which oxygen is supplied. If there is an oversaturation of oxygen, O2 will produce a toxic effect, causing oxygen starvation;
- high physical activity, requiring increased oxygen consumption by tissues;
- being in conditions of reduced temperature;
- influence of several factors at once. For example, the condition when lips turn blue in water occurs due to a combination of general cooling and physical activity.
The chance that one of the above factors will cause oxygen starvation of tissues (which is primarily visible by the color of the lips) especially increases in the presence of diseases of the heart, lungs, bronchi, or some hereditary blood pathologies.
The main causes of blue mucous membranes of the lips
Blue lips are a sign of what disease? It is impossible to say this for sure without examination, since this symptom may be due various groups pathologies:
- diseases of the respiratory system: foreign bodies in the bronchus or trachea, pneumonia, pulmonary edema, bronchial asthma, pneumothorax, lung tumors;
- heart and vascular diseases: rhythm disturbances, hypertension, thromboembolism pulmonary artery, myocarditis, cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarction, some heart defects: aortic insufficiency, coarctation of the aorta, atrial and ventricular septal defects;
- poisonings that cause either “blocking” of enzymes in tissues that are responsible for the “assimilation” of oxygen, or tightly binding to hemoglobin, which cannot then independently form a complex with O2;
- shock states that, when neglected, various conditions– blood loss, loss of fluid (during diarrhea, vomiting), the action of microbial toxins, severe allergies – lead to impaired blood circulation in peripheral tissues.
Conditions when the lip turns blue (this symptom has the same causes) can be divided into:
- arising acutely;
- developing gradually.
This helps doctors diagnose; the patient himself or his relatives must call an ambulance. Moreover, in case of acute deterioration of the condition, this must be done quickly.
If your lips turn blue due to lung diseases
Lung pathology is indicated by a cough, which can be either dry or wet, difficulty inhaling or exhaling, and wheezing when breathing. These symptoms may not exist. We will help you roughly navigate the main diseases.
Pneumothorax
This is an emergency condition that develops when air enters the pleural cavity. This can happen with a penetrating or closed wound, with a ruptured lung abscess, rupture of the esophagus, or damage to a small bronchus by a tumor. It happens that pneumothorax occurs when healthy person, who had air cavities (bullas) in the lung tissue, but did not know about it, was injured or lifted a heavy load.
Pneumothorax is dangerous because incompressible air begins to compress the lung, followed by the heart and large vessels. As a result, both breathing and blood circulation are impaired.
Symptoms of pneumothorax appear after injury, coughing, or physical exertion. This:
- stabbing pain or feeling of a blow on one side;
- radiates to the neck, arm, sternum;
- worsens with movements, coughing, deep movement;
- feeling of lack of air;
- dyspnea;
- blue lips
Severe attack of bronchial asthma
It begins with the appearance of harbingers. Most often they resemble a cold: coughing, sneezing, headache, watery runny nose, sore throat. Then the attack itself develops:
- difficulty breathing, especially exhalation;
- when exhaling there is a whistling, noisy breathing;
- there is a lack of air;
- Viscous, glassy sputum may be produced.
Asthmatic status
This is a complication bronchial asthma. It must be stopped, otherwise it may end in death.
At first, the person is conscious, he tries to find a position in which it will be easier for him to breathe. Breathing becomes more frequent and is not controlled by usual medications. When coughing, no sputum is produced. Over time, a person becomes inhibited, movements chest cease to be noticeable, the pulse is frequent, arrhythmic, and difficult to palpate. If help is not provided at this stage, consciousness is depressed to the point of coma.
Pneumonia
This is the name for inflammation when swelling and loss of function occurs in the area of the main respiratory structures - the alveoli. The causes are viral, bacterial and fungal infections.
Classic signs:
- temperature rise to high levels;
- chills;
- chest pain;
- cough: first dry, then wet. The sputum may be bloody to purulent, yellow or green.
Today, pathology rarely has classic symptoms. Pneumonia can manifest itself as diarrhea, pain in bones and muscles. The main thing is to pay attention to increased breathing and blueness of the nasolabial triangle.
Pulmonary edema
To this emergency can lead to heart pathologies, lung diseases, disorders of the lymphatic capillaries of the lungs, which must remove excess water from the organ, and kidney diseases, which remove excess water from the entire body.
Symptoms can develop at lightning speed – within a few minutes. Clinical picture can develop over several days - with chronic diseases heart and lungs.
Before signs of pulmonary edema appear, weakness, dizziness, headache, and dry cough may occur. Then, more often at night or before the morning, an attack of pulmonary edema develops directly:
- choking or paroxysmal coughing that forces a person to sit down;
- cold sweat;
- blue lips and nails;
- agitation, motor restlessness;
- breathing becomes more frequent, the muscles of the neck and wings of the nose begin to participate in it;
- breathing may become turbulent;
- with alveolar edema (a stage at which the disease can still be eliminated by conservative measures), a cough appears with the release of foamy pink or bloody sputum;
- confusion increases.
Acute stenosing laryngoracheitis
This disease is typical for children 1-6 years old, as a complication of a viral or bacterial infection respiratory tract. Most often the disease manifests itself at night, when it appears:
- difficulty breathing;
- noisy breath;
- barking cough, which may become silent;
- loss of voice.
Emphysema
This is the name for a condition in which the alveoli swell, becoming more airy. Symptoms of the disease increase gradually:
- shortness of breath: first it appears during exercise, then at rest;
- exhalation is done through closed lips, puffing out the cheeks;
- cough is rare, scanty mucous sputum is produced;
- lips turn blue;
- body weight is lost.
Pulmonary infarction
This is the name given to the death of a larger or smaller section of the lung; it occurs due to blockage of the artery by a blood clot, a fatty particle (during fractures or liposuction), or air. The first symptoms appear 2-3 days after the vessel is blocked. This:
- acute pain in the chest, which increases with coughing, bending over, breathing;
- Abdominal pain may occur, very similar to that of appendicitis or other surgical diseases;
- the temperature rises to low numbers, and this lasts for 1-2 weeks;
- due to oxygen starvation, lips turn blue.
Diseases of the cardiovascular system
This includes various diseases, which can be suspected based on the symptoms described.
Cardiac tamponade
This dangerous condition develops when pus, blood, lymph, gas, and effusion accumulate between the heart and its membrane (cardiac sac). Most often it is a complication of closed heart injuries and manipulations performed on it. It can occur when the heart ruptures due to myocardial infarction, as a result of aortic dissection and pecricarditis.
Manifests:
- heaviness in the chest;
- increasing shortness of breath;
- weakness;
- cold sweat;
- feeling of lack of air.
Myocarditis
Inflammation of the heart muscle usually occurs after an infectious disease - viral or bacterial etiology. It manifests itself:
- increased fatigue
- shortness of breath;
- blue color of the mucous membrane of the lips;
- swelling in the legs;
- pain in the heart;
- heart rhythm disturbances.
Cardiomyopathy
This is the name of non-inflammatory, non-tumor, non-inflammatory ischemic lesion heart muscle, resulting from genetic defects, myocarditis, viral infections, toxic and allergic lesions.
Manifests:
- shortness of breath;
- blue nasolabial triangle;
- pain in the heart that is not relieved by nitroglycerin;
- heartbeat;
- arrhythmias;
- swelling of the veins of the neck.
"Blue Vices"
Additional reasons when blue lips are observed in a child include “blue heart defects.” They are operated on at 3-6 years of age, so they are not observed in adulthood.
“Blue defects” include those in which organs and tissues are fed with mixed blood - the one that flowed in the aorta is mixed with non-oxygenated venous blood - from the right parts of the heart. This:
- tetrad, triad and pentad of Fallot;
- common arterial trunk;
- transposition of the great vessels;
- atresia of the tricuspid valve.
The baby is born on time and with normal body weight, his skin and lips are of normal color. By 8-12 weeks of life, attacks with shortness of breath, restlessness and crying appear. In this case, the skin is gray, and the triangle above the upper lip and both lips turn blue. After screaming, the child may lose consciousness and convulsions may occur. If surgical intervention is not performed, the pathology can be fatal.
Disorders of communication with hemoglobin
We will look at conditions in which hemoglobin binds tightly to another molecule, which prevents it from either attaching or releasing oxygen to the tissues.
Methemoglobinemia
The reasons for the oxidation of iron in hemoglobin are an overdose of vikasol, sulfonamide antibiotics, novocaine, nitrites, poisoning with silver nitrate, water and products with nitrates. It can occur with some hereditary pathologies of methemoglobin reductase. The latter manifests itself during the newborn period, when blue discoloration of the lips, nasolabial triangle, nails, and earlobes is noted. Such children also have other developmental defects (for example, underdevelopment upper limbs), often lag behind in psychomotor development. When methemoglobinemia develops as a result of poisoning, shortness of breath, dizziness, and blue discoloration of the mucous membranes and nails are noted.
Sulfhemoglobinemia
Pathology occurs when: long-term treatment sulfonamides or sulfur, as well as hydrogen sulfide poisoning. It manifests itself as excitement followed by depression of consciousness. Requires emergency assistance.
Shocks
This is the name for conditions when the vessels and the red blood cells containing hemoglobin cannot satisfy the oxygen demand of the tissues. This can be either with significant vasodilation (with anaphylactic, septic shock, damage to the spinal cord, which sets the tone for the vessels), or with loss of blood or its liquid part.
In this case, either against the background of vomiting or diarrhea, or after blood loss, or after an injury, or when antibiotic treatment was started, or after some time when symptoms of an infectious disease were observed, the following suddenly appear:
- weakness;
- dyspnea;
- pale or gray skin with blue lips;
- increased heart rate;
- inadequacy or depression of consciousness.
What to do if your lips turn blue
When the lower, upper lip or the area of the nasolabial triangle turns blue, this requires prompt consultation with a doctor. If blue discoloration of these areas was observed after chest pain, blood loss, excessive diarrhea, vomiting; if it is accompanied by shortness of breath, increased heart rate or inadequacy, an ambulance call is required. Before this, the person needs to be seated, freed from restrictive clothing, and an influx of fresh air, calm down.
If you notice blue lips against the background of seemingly complete health, you need to see a therapist. He, having listened to complaints and made initial examination, will tell you whether you need to visit a cardiologist first and then a pulmonologist, or do the opposite.
Of course, every parent will be seriously scared. Blue lips can be a symptom of cyanosis or a number of other health problems in the child.
Sometimes parents notice that the child's lips take on a bluish or purple tint. This may appear in the morning immediately after waking up, after excessively active games, or under any other circumstances.
Of course, every parent will be seriously scared. Blue lips can be a symptom of cyanosis or a number of other health problems in the child.
REASONS FOR BLUE LIPS IN CHILDREN
Children's lips should be a natural pink color. Generally speaking, any bluish discoloration on the body should be cause for concern as it could be a sign of cyanosis.
Cyanosis indicates that there is not enough oxygen in the blood. This is often associated with congenital heart defects, but cyanosis can also be caused by septic shock, epileptic seizure or a lung disease such as pneumonia, asthma or laryngitis.
However, cyanosis is not always dangerous. Most often, symptoms can be seen on the lips, cheeks, tip of the nose, and fingertips. This phenomenon is called acrocyanosis.
Newborns and infants may have natural acrocyanosis. In this case, the blue discoloration is peripheral cyanosis and goes away on its own with the development of the circulatory system.
On its own, the disease does not cause concern in patients and does not serve as a reason to see a doctor. But it almost never occurs on its own.
The presence of cyanosis is often evidence of a serious illness that requires emergency medical attention.
Acrocyanosis in almost all cases is a symptom of pathology of the cardiovascular system.
If the patient becomes cyanotic in color nasolabial triangle, as well as the area around the eyes, this may indicate lung diseases.
With anemia and other blood diseases, illness can also occur.
With widespread cyanosis, one should think about oxygen starvation of the body, provoked by insufficiency of the pulmonary circulation.
Classification of cyanosis in children
- Central (pulmonary form).
- Peripheral (cardiac form).
CENTRAL CYANOSIS
Central cyanosis, in which a baby's face or body takes on a bluish tint, may indicate a more serious health problem and require immediate diagnosis and treatment. Blue lips may be a symptom of central cyanosis, but can also be a harmless temporary bluish discoloration of the skin around the mouth, especially when crying or feeding. The same can happen when increased activity or an outburst of anger in a child. In this case, it is not the lips themselves that turn blue, but the skin around the mouth, tongue and oral mucosa should remain pink.
You can distinguish a dangerous case of cyanosis from a non-dangerous one by examining the child’s lips, tongue and nails. If they are pink, then the child most likely has perioral cyanosis, not alarming. If your lips, tongue and nails have acquired a blue tint, you should immediately seek treatment. medical care.
At satisfactory condition In human health, lips have a reddish or pinkish tint. It is not surprising that this indicator has become a guarantee of beauty: pink lips symbolize health, while blue in this area is scary. Blue lips are a dangerous symptom that you should definitely pay attention to. Especially if the blueness lasts for a long time long term and doesn't disappear. Blue lips may indicate a number of problems that are worth discussing separately.
This phenomenon may indicate problems with blood supply, as well as pathology of the respiratory tract and concomitant diseases. All these aspects deserve special attention.
Causes of blue lips
Cyanosis, as blue lips are scientifically called, is not separate disease, but a symptom that accompanies a number of diseases and conditions, both harmless and dangerous. Lips turn blue mainly due to the fact that deoxyhemoglobin accumulates in the blood in very large quantities. That is, the blood does not receive the volume of oxygen it needs and darkens.
Darkened blood is clearly visible in those areas where the layer of skin is initially thin. And lips are normally red precisely because blood vessels are visible here, this is an area with thin layer epidermis. This is easy to verify - everyone sometimes has skin peeling off their lips; it is transparent, not red or pink.
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Types of pathology, accompanying symptoms of cyanosis
Central cyanosis gives bright blue lips and cheeks, it occurs due to problems with blood circulation, due to which carbonic anhydride accumulates in it. There is also peripheral cyanosis, which occurs due to a decrease in the rate of blood circulation in the vessels, due to stagnation, which provides the blood with the accumulation of carbon dioxide. Cyanosis also occurs due to the fact that venous and arterial blood mixes in the human body. In this case, the person experiences increased breathing. If in the first situation cyanosis is usually provoked increased loads on the body, also sometimes - hypothermia, then in the second it occurs due to cardiovascular pathologies.
Why do lips turn blue in the cold?
Most a common occurrence Lips become blue due to cold, but this is not the only reason. Blue lips due to cold are associated with a narrowing of blood vessels that react to low temperatures. The blood supply deteriorates, the blood stagnates, acquires a bluish tint due to the fact that it gives off oxygen before reaching the peripheral tissues. This is where the specific color comes from. A lack of oxygen in the room also causes blue lips, as does an overdose of certain drugs and increased physical activity.
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Other reasons
Lips turn blue when poisoned, due to tobacco and alcohol, under anesthesia, when a person is undergoing surgery. But not all reasons for blue lips are so harmless; there are other reasons that are definitely worth paying attention to. Blue lips may be dangerous symptom indicating a serious illness or dangerous condition person.
Pulmonary thrombosis, asthma, bronchitis - all these diseases cause blue lips. Pneumonia or bronchitis can also have this effect. These diseases affect the respiratory tract, preventing oxygen saturation in the blood. A long stay under water causes blue lips, again due to a lack of oxygen, which could not be inhaled, and high altitude lips turn blue due to thin air - this is important for climbers and parachutists.
Problems of the cardiovascular system can also affect the color of the lips, since poorly circulating blood will quickly release oxygen without bringing it to the peripheral tissues, which will turn blue.
Why do my child's lips turn blue?
Sometimes blue lips are observed in a child. This may indicate danger. The specificity of childhood cyanosis is the underdevelopment of the respiratory organs, or the entry of a foreign body into the larynx. The first case is typical for newborns; the pathology is detected immediately after the birth of the child. Modern features allow us to save such a baby. As a rule, premature babies are born with underdeveloped lungs, up to 32 weeks of pregnancy.
Many people know why lips turn blue when a person is hypothermic. But what if the color change occurs for no apparent reason? This means there is a reason to start worrying about your own health! When your lips simply turn blue in the cold, but return to their natural color in a warm room, then a further visit to the doctor seems inappropriate. But consultation with a specialist becomes necessary if, along with blueness, at least one of the following symptoms appears: 1. Hypothermia of the body. This reason is the most common and relatively safe. The usual pink color of the skin is ensured by constant blood circulation through the vessels. At the moment of cooling, a redistribution of resources occurs when all forces are aimed at warming the internal organs. The blood vessels in the extremities (and in the lips as well) begin to narrow, reducing blood flow. As a result, the skin acquires a bluish tint and the lips become numb. As soon as a person enters a warm environment, blood circulation returns to its previous course, providing the entire body with the most necessary things. The return of a pink tint to the lips signals the restoration of all internal systems. 2. Oxygen starvation
. Most often occurs as a result of exposure to toxic gases, including the habit of frequent smoking. But a more serious option is possible - problems with the cardiovascular system. Hypoxemia (decreased oxygen levels in the blood) is known medically as “skin cyanosis.” The word “cyanosis” is translated from ancient Greek. as “dark blue”, so the main symptom is the characteristic purple tint of the lips, skin, mucous membranes. As a result of oxygen starvation, reduced hemoglobin in the blood increases, which leads to darkening of the lips. 3. Iron deficiency anemia
. Hemoglobin is responsible for the red color of the skin, the formation of which depends on the amount of iron ingested in food. If a person experiences bluish lips along with unnatural pale skin, then it’s time to suspect iron deficiency anemia. But hemoglobin deficiency in the blood is not always associated with poor nutrition, sometimes heavy blood loss is enough for a problem to appear. Possible causes are copious amounts of discharge during menstruation, complications of peptic ulcer, serious injury with rupture of blood vessels. 4. Heart or lung problems. A sharp change in the usual color of the lips from pink to purple, along with an increase in heart rate and shortness of breath, indicate serious problems within the body. This can be either a heart attack or the formation of a blood clot in the vessels of the lungs, the manifestation of pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma and other diseases that cause a lack of oxygen. Calling an ambulance - best solution in this situation. 5. Severe croup in children. When a child’s lips turn blue and a strong barking cough appears, it’s time to get alarmed and urgently call a pediatrician. Some respiratory diseases lead to serious illness (croup) that requires hospitalization to avoid fatal outcome. The child may complain that it is difficult to breathe or his throat is tight, but to alleviate his condition, you cannot use “grandmother’s methods”, but should wait for a recommendation from a medical professional. Why do your lips hurt, read. When a person is hypothermic, it is recommended to warm him up with everyone possible ways: dress better, massage the limbs (to improve blood flow), give a warm drink. But if there are additional alarming symptoms, it is recommended to call ambulance and describe the situation in detail. An experienced specialist will figure out whether it is necessary to urgently send a team of doctors or offer the patient to independently get to the clinic at a convenient appointment time. The appearance of the lips is an indicator of health. Let's look at why lips turn blue, the main reasons, associated symptoms, methods of diagnosis and treatment. Cyanosis, that is, blue discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes, is not independent disease, but a sign of certain disorders in the body. According to their structure, lips are divided into three zones: The normal scarlet (pink) color is due to a large number blood vessels. If the skin darkens or acquires a bluish tint, this indicates serious problems with the body. The main reasons for unpleasant changes: Cyanosis may appear suddenly or develop gradually. It depends on the cause that provoked the disorder. Most often, the pathology is associated with spasms of blood vessels. If, against the background of blue lips, a rapid heartbeat, a change in the color of the nails, or suffocation appears, then this condition is very dangerous. The exact cause of the defect can only be determined after comprehensive examination. Based on the diagnostic results, the doctor prescribes the most appropriate treatment. There are many factors that provoke cyanosis in different areas of the skin and mucous membranes. Let's look at the most common reasons why an adult's lips turn blue: Increased physical activity, emotional distress, prolonged hypothermia or exacerbation chronic diseases, can also cause pathological changes. If cyanosis has a peripheral form, then the blue lips are cold; with a diffuse form, the tissue remains warm. Changes that occur in a short period of time are the most dangerous, as they may indicate blockage of blood vessels with blood clots, asphyxia, and suffocation. The condition in which children develop cyanosis in certain areas of the body is familiar to many parents. There are many reasons why a child’s lips turn blue, let’s look at the most common ones: The appearance of cyanosis can be caused respiratory diseases. Children under 3 years of age are often diagnosed with croup. This pathology is characterized by inflammation of the vocal cords, severe stenosis of the larynx, dry cough, wheezing, elevated temperature bodies. The painful condition occurs due to spasms of the larynx - affective-respiratory syndrome. The pathology is characterized by a sudden cessation of breathing during inhalation and the inability to exhale. Occurs due to increased excitability nervous system. The child turns pale and then blue. ARS is a kind of reflex that occurs when crying loudly. The attack lasts about a minute and is typical for children under three years of age. In 90% of cases, the affective-respiratory syndrome goes away by the age of eight. If cyanosis of the lips occurs too often and is accompanied by additional symptoms ( painful sensations behind the sternum, high blood pressure, convulsions, loss of consciousness, nausea, vomiting, appetite disturbances, deterioration in general health), then you should immediately seek medical help. The pediatrician will examine the child and conduct comprehensive diagnostics and prescribe treatment to restore blood circulation and normalize the natural color of the skin. Problems with the cardiovascular system are the main reason why the lip turns blue. Due to attempts to replenish the vessels with blood, the tissues become cyanotic. The symptom is associated with a deficiency of hemoglobin in the vessels, which gave oxygen to the tissues and were not restored. This condition observed with a lack of iron, folic acid, vitamin B12 and protein in the body. Oxygen starvation and respiratory diseases also provoke changes in the skin and mucous membranes. Poisoning and intoxication of the body lead to circulatory disorders. This is observed with hypothermia, poor gas exchange in the lungs and pathologies, causing disturbances bronchial conductivity. If the painful condition persists for a long period of time, periodically makes itself felt, or occurs with additional symptoms, you should immediately seek medical help. The sooner the cause of the violation is established, the higher the chances of avoiding all sorts of complications. Everyone has encountered such a problem as cyanotic skin tone at least once. Why does the upper lip turn blue, what factors cause the changes and how to eliminate them? Let's consider the main causes of the unpleasant symptom: In addition to the above factors, the disorder is observed with an overdose of drugs, with diseases of the circulatory system, and exposure to cold air or water. Prolonged exposure to cold is the most common reason why people turn blue. lower lip. Due to the cooling of the body, the body's resources are redistributed to warm the internal organs as much as possible. That is, disruption and reduction of blood circulation through the vessels leads to changes in skin color and loss of sensitivity. As soon as the tissue color returns to normal, we can assume that the body’s functioning has been restored. Cyanosis occurs with Reynod's disease. This pathology associated with severe stress And emotional experiences, accompanied by low temperature, paresthesia, and blood metabolic disorders. A cyanotic tint to the skin and mucous membranes indicates serious problems in the body. To determine why the lips turn blue, especially if it appears too often, you should seek medical help and undergo a comprehensive diagnosis. In most cases, the painful condition is associated with oxygen starvation. The skin and mucous membranes acquire purple due to an increase in reduced hemoglobin in the blood or a decrease in oxygen levels. A similar condition is typical for cardiovascular diseases. The appearance of a blue border around the lips is characteristic of iron deficiency anemia. Iron is an important component of hemoglobin, which is responsible for the red color of blood. If the symptom occurs against the background of respiratory diseases, then this indicates the formation of croup. The painful condition is also characteristic of a heart attack, especially if there are signs of rapid heartbeat, fainting And sharp deterioration general well-being. Many parents wonder: why do lips turn blue when a child cries? First of all, it should be noted that in in good condition the color of the tissue should be pink, thereby indicating good blood circulation. The main cause of the disorder is affective-respiratory syndrome. It comes from crying pain and a number of other factors related to strong emotions and experiences. Against the background of cyanosis of the skin and mucous membranes, apnea occurs, that is, a condition when the child cannot exhale and does not breathe. At the same time, the baby’s muscles are in spasm. The attack lasts from a few seconds to 5-7 minutes, but on average it lasts about 30-60 seconds. If the period of apnea is prolonged, then loss of consciousness is possible - an atonic non-epileptic attack due to acute oxygen deficiency of the brain. Distinctive features of ARS: Very often, the rolling up in crying is interrupted after breathing stops and the body briefly goes limp for 5-10 seconds. The spasm of the larynx is reflexively relieved, the child takes a sharp breath or exhale. The condition is gradually recovering. If the process of hypoxia is not interrupted, then convulsions occur as a response of the body to the accumulation of carbon dioxide. Thanks to reflex removal muscle spasms, the child begins to breathe, blood circulation and skin color are restored. According to medical statistics, such attacks occur with equal frequency in both boys and girls aged 6 to 18 months, in rare cases up to 5 years. In any case, blueness of the skin is a signal that the body is not receiving enough oxygen. This condition is associated with the presence in the venous blood of pathological hemoglobin derivatives that are unable to transport oxygen. It can be a symptom of diseases of the cardiovascular or respiratory system. In some cases, peripheral cyanosis is associated with the process of maturation of the child's circulatory system. As you grow older, it goes away on its own. If blue lips occur too often or occur with additional symptoms, you should consult a doctor. The specialist will determine the characteristics of the disorder (physiological, pathological) and, if necessary, prescribe treatment. A cyanotic skin tone in infants is very often observed in the first months of life, causing panic in parents. Blue discoloration of the nasolabial triangle may be associated with both physiological and pathological factors. Let's take a closer look at why a newborn's lips turn blue: In addition to the above reasons, blueness of the lips, which persists for long period time may also indicate the following disorders: congenital heart disease, pulmonary artery malformation, heart failure. At the same time, the most common defect in the cardiovascular system is non-closure oval window. With this pathology, arterial and venous blood mix, reducing oxygen saturation and causing cyanosis. A painful condition in newborns occurs due to insufficient development of the respiratory system. To eliminate this problem, special massage and long walks are recommended. outdoors. If the cyanosis does not go away until 3-4 months of the child’s life, then the baby should be shown to a pediatrician, neurologist and cardiologist. Oxygen starvation is the main reason why lips turn blue during physical activity. Overload hypoxia develops due to a lack of oxygen, which is burned when replenishing energy resources during increased activity. Blood circulation in the periphery, that is, on the lips and limbs, is reduced, causing cyanosis. Such hypoxia is physiological, that is, it is not dangerous, since the condition is restored after completion of high loads. If additional symptoms occur: This may be a sign of cardiovascular disease. This condition requires careful comprehensive diagnosis and treatment. Many of us, at least once, have wondered why our lips sometimes turn blue. In most cases, this is due to hypothermia, increased physical activity, consumption of coloring products or substances that cause intoxication. After the irritating factor ends, the condition returns to normal, the color of the skin and mucous membranes is restored. Let's take a closer look at the possible causes of cyanosis: If cyanosis that occurs from time to time appears with additional symptoms, you should seek medical help. Discoloration of the nasolabial triangle occurs due to many factors, both physiological and pathological. To establish why the corners of the lips turn blue, you should collect an anamnesis and conduct a diagnosis possible reasons unpleasant symptom. Most often, blueness of the corners of the lips occurs due to pathologies of the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems. Local cyanosis is characteristic of asthma, laryngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia. If, against this background, breathing occurs and the pulse increases, this may be a sign of a heart attack. The most common cause of cyanosis in both children and adults is hypothermia. Let's take a closer look at why lips turn blue in the cold. The normal pink color of the skin and mucous membranes is ensured by constant blood circulation through the vessels. At long stay in the cold, a redistribution of resources occurs. The body devotes all its strength to warming the internal organs. Blood vessels begin to narrow, gradually reducing blood flow. As a result, the tissues become bluish in color and may temporarily lose sensitivity. Upon returning to a warm environment, blood circulation is restored, providing normal work all organs and systems. In order to prevent such changes, you should dress warmly, maintaining normal blood circulation. If cyanosis has already appeared, then you can drink warm tea or play sports, since moderate physical activity distributes oxygen throughout all tissues of the body. Slang name for many chemicals, consumed by inhalation - poppers. They are volatile and flammable liquids with a distinct aroma (from sweet or fruity to very unpleasant). Such substances quickly decompose when exposed to oxygen and sunlight. Poppers were originally used in medical practice for the treatment of asthmatic attacks. The patient inhaled nitrate vapors, stabilizing breathing and blood circulation. Today, this method of treating asthma is not used, since more effective and safe drugs. Also in this class chemical compounds includes: Many people who take this kind of substance often have a question: why do poppers turn their lips blue? The main danger of chemically active drugs is their improper use. Prolonged contact with skin and mucous membranes causes acute poisoning, contact dermatitis and burn. Poppers are contraindicated for diseases of the cardiovascular system, anemia, and pregnancy. These conditions themselves can cause cyanosis, but eating poppers increases the risk of cyanosis. The risk of adverse reactions increases significantly when taking alcohol and drugs. A cyanotic hue may be associated with circulatory problems caused by hard work hearts and changes blood pressure due to nitrates. When answering the question why a child’s lower lip turns blue, one should carefully evaluate general condition baby's health. The main reason for this cyanosis is a lack of oxygen in the blood. This violation typical for: Blue areas of the skin may indicate underdevelopment of the circulatory and respiratory systems. Changes occur with hypothermia of the body and affective-respiratory syndrome. In the latter case, cyanosis appears due to the baby's intense crying. A bluish tint to the skin and mucous membranes can occur simultaneously with changes in the nail plates, upper and lower extremities. This condition requires careful diagnosis and, of course, treatment. During the examination, the child must undergo a set of laboratory tests, chest X-ray, electrocardiogram and other studies. If any deviations from the norm are detected, then appropriate therapy is prescribed. As you age, your body begins to undergo irreversible changes. The skin and mucous membranes lose their elasticity and become cyanotic. Why lips turn blue with age is most often associated with the following factors: To determine why lips turn blue in adults or children, you should seek medical help. Diagnosis is especially necessary for frequent attacks of cyanosis, which occur with additional symptoms that disrupt the functioning of the body.Alarm bells
Provocateurs of cyanosis:
First aid
Why do adults' lips turn blue?
Why do my child's lips turn blue?
Why does my lip turn blue?
Why does my upper lip turn blue?
Why does my lower lip turn blue?
Why does it turn blue around my lips?
Why when a child cries and his lips turn blue?
Why do newborns' lips turn blue?
Why do lips turn blue during physical activity?
Why do lips sometimes turn blue?
Why do the corners of my lips turn blue?
Why do lips turn blue in the cold?
Why do poppers turn my lips blue?
Why does a child's lower lip turn blue?
Why do lips turn blue with age?
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