What Causes Blue Bloater

It’s a sign that a person has low oxygen levels. When blood oxygen levels are low, your body naturally shunts blood from non-vital organs (fingertips and lips) to vital organs (lungs, heart, and brain). This is a good mechanism, as it is sometimes needed to keep us alive. A sign of this happening is cyanosis.

Why are blue bloaters cyanotic?

Bronchial tubes carry air into and out of the lungs. Mucus forms when the airways are irritated and inflamed, this mucus makes it harder to breath. The body does not take in enough oxygen, resulting in cyanosis. This causes an increased strain on the heart, eventually leading to right sided heart failure and edema.

What causes cyanosis in COPD?

Cyanosis usually happens when oxygen levels in the blood are below 90%. Lung damage in people with COPD can prevent their blood cells from absorbing enough oxygen from the air sacs in the lungs. For instance, chronic bronchitis causes the airways that lead into the lungs to become irritated and swollen.