Cyanosis
Some people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) does not have enough oxygen in their blood for the body to perform its functions efficiently. This condition is called cyanosis. Skin, lips, or fingernail beds of the patient turns blue in cyanosis.
“Central cyanosis” is bluish discoloration of the lips, tip of the tongue, and mouth. “Peripheral cyanosis” is bluish discoloration in the skin of the arms, legs, feet, hands, fingers and fingernail beds. Both of these kinds of cyanosis can occur in COPD.
Chronic cyanosis is more significant in later stage of the disease. In fact, this symptom gets worse during exercise or activity.
However, cyanosis can develop at a very slow rate if the level of oxygen in the blood decreases slowly. The bluish discoloration can be ignored or missed by the patient which can result in further deterioration of the condition.