What Is Dirty Blood? Medical Explanation, Cause, And Impact On Health

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YOGYAKARTA - The term dirty blood often appears in daily conversations, especially when discussing menstrual blood or the cause of acne and boils. Many people consider menstrual blood as dirty blood and skin problems related to the buildup of dirty blood in the body. However, this understanding is wrong.

In the medical world, menstrual blood is not dirty blood but a mixture of blood and the rest of the uterine wall tissue that is naturally affected by every menstrual cycle. This wrong view needs to be straightened out so that people understand their health condition more precisely. So, what exactly does dirty blood mean according to medical? Reported from various sources, here's the discussion.

In a medical context, dirty blood refers to blood which has low oxygen levels (deoxygenated blood). Blood flows from the heart to the lungs to bind oxygen and then flows back to the heart and whole body.

If blood oxygen levels are low, the lungs will also lack oxygen to flow throughout the body. This causes what is called hypoxia, which is the condition when the body does not get enough oxygen to meet the needs of the tissue.

Hypoxia is often characterized by cyanosis, namely changes in skin color to blue due to lack of oxygen. This condition is an early sign of respiratory problems in the respiratory system or heart.

The effect of dirty blood on health can appear in the form of fatigue and difficulty breathing. When the body's organs do not get adequate oxygen, the function of the organ will be disrupted and cause comorbidities such as dizziness or decreased consciousness. This condition can endanger sufferers who have chronic diseases.

If not treated, low oxygen levels of blood can worsen heart and lung disease. For this reason, it is important for someone who has hypoxia symptoms to get medical treatment immediately. Proper treatment can prevent serious complications.

Causes Of Low Blood Oxygen Levels

The level of oxygen in the blood is strictly controlled by the body to remain stable. However, some medical conditions can disturb this stability and cause oxygen levels to decrease. One of the causes is acute respiratory distress syndrome which makes the lungs unable to work optimally.

In addition, diseases such as asthma, collapsing lungs, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (PPOK) also affect the ability of the lungs to absorb oxygen. Other disorders such as anemia and congenital heart disorders are also factors that can affect blood oxygen levels.

Active and passive smokers are also more prone to experiencing dirty blood. This is due to the buildup of carbon monoxide in the blood which inhibits the ability of red blood cells to bind oxygen.

If you experience symptoms of dirty blood, immediately consult a doctor to get the right diagnosis and treatment.

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