Blue lips what does it mean

In general, cyanosis that occurs acutely is more likely to be an emergency than when it is present for a long time. Your provider will perform a physical examination. This will include listening to your breathing and heart sounds. In emergency situations such as shock , you will be stabilized first. The treatment you receive depends on the cause of cyanosis.

For example, you may receive oxygen for shortness of breath. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; chap McGee S. In: McGee S, ed. Evidence-Based Physical Diagnosis. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; chap 9. Harron, Jr. Editorial team. Sedatives and medications to prevent movement help relieve anxiety and agitation. Some medications that stop muscle movements are necessary to help place the person on the ventilator. People sometimes call pneumothorax a collapsed lung.

It happens when air that enters the space between the lung and chest wall pushes against the outside of the lung, causing it to collapse. Some people may not experience any symptoms. However, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine , symptoms can include:. A pneumothorax is a medical emergency. Doctors will notice decreasing arterial oxygen and will immediately prescribe oxygen therapy.

Some people may only need observation as the pressure stabilizes. In other situations, people may require aspiration, which involves inserting a catheter into the pleural cavity to evacuate the air in the cavity.

An article in BMJ Clinical Evidence states that although death from pneumothorax is rare, it is a medical emergency. Anyone who thinks that they are experiencing a pneumothorax must go to the emergency room. Johns Hopkins Medicine state that although pneumothorax can resolve by itself, healthcare professionals may have to remove the air from the lung.

Healthcare professionals will place a chest tube between the ribs to drain the air and allow the lung to re-expand. According to an earlier article in Epilepsy Currents , cyanosis is common in people with tonic-clonic seizures and prolonged tonic seizures. During the seizure, the person may experience apnea , where they temporarily stop breathing. This limits oxygen circulation. According to a article , a person experiencing a tonic-clonic seizure may experience impaired awareness or loss of consciousness.

If someone notices a person is having a seizure, they should try to roll them onto their side to decrease the risk of suffocation and aspiration. Although most tonic-clonic seizures resolve spontaneously, a person who experiences one should go to the emergency room. Some people may require anti-seizure medication to prevent seizures. Sometimes dermatologists can tell if a person has a heart condition by the blue or purple hue to the skin. Skin tags are small flesh-coloured or brown growths that hang off the skin.

They are very common and harmless. Important: Our website provides useful information but is not a substitute for medical advice. You should always seek the advice of your doctor when making decisions about your health.

Home Health library Skin changes summary Blue lips or skin. Medically reviewed All of Healthily's articles undergo medical safety checks to verify that the information is medically safe. In this article. The medical name for this blue tinge is cyanosis. What to do if cyanosis develops Call for an ambulance or go to your nearest hospital emergency department immediately if you notice an adult or child suddenly turning blue, particularly if they have other symptoms, such as difficulty breathing or chest pain.

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