Shock
Shock occurs when you do not have enough blood circulating around your body. This lack of blood circulation is a life-threatening medical emergency. Some of the many causes of medical shock include uncontrolled bleeding, severe burns and spinal injury. Emotional distress or sudden fright in response to a traumatic event is also often called shock. This is what most people think of when they hear about shock. But in medical terms, shock is when you do not have enough blood circulating around your body. It is a life-threatening medical emergency.
Signs and symptoms of shock:
Depending on the cause, symptoms and signs of shock may include:
Some of the different types of medical shock include:
First aid for shock:
Medical shock is a life-threatening emergency. Effective first aid and prompt medical attention can save a person’s life.
First aid management includes:
Signs and symptoms of shock:
Depending on the cause, symptoms and signs of shock may include:
- Pale, cold, clammy skin
- Shallow, rapid breathing
- Difficulty breathing
- Anxiety
- Rapid heartbeat
- Heartbeat irregularities or palpitations
- Thirst or a dry mouth
- Low urine output or dark urine
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Light-headedness
- Confusion and disorientation
- Unconsciousness
Some of the different types of medical shock include:
- Hypovolaemic – meaning not enough blood volume. Causes include bleeding, which could be internal (such as a ruptured artery or organ) or external (such as a deep wound) or dehydration. Chronic vomiting, diarrhoea, dehydration or severe burns can also reduce blood volume and cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure
- Cardiogenic – caused when the heart cannot effectively pump blood around the body. Various conditions including heart attack, heart disease (such as cardiomyopathy) or valve disorders may prevent a person’s heart from functioning properly
- Neurogenic – injury to a person’s spine may damage the nerves that control the diameter (width) of blood vessels. The blood vessels below the spinal injury relax and expand (dilate) and cause a drop in blood pressure
- Septic – an infection makes the blood vessels dilate, which drops blood pressure. For example, anE. coli infection may trigger septic shock
- Anaphylactic – a severe allergic reaction causes blood vessels to dilate, which results in low blood pressure
- Obstructive – blood flow is stopped. Obstructive shock can be caused by cardiac (pericardial) tamponade, which is an abnormal build-up of fluid in the pericardium (the sac around the heart) that compresses the heart and stops it from beating properly, or pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in the pulmonary artery, blocking the flow of blood to the lungs)
- Endocrine – in a critically ill person, a severe hormonal disorder such as hypothyroidism may stop the heart from functioning properly and lead to a life-threatening drop in blood pressure.
First aid for shock:
Medical shock is a life-threatening emergency. Effective first aid and prompt medical attention can save a person’s life.
First aid management includes:
- Follow the DRSABCD Action Plan to assess the situation.
- If the person is conscious, lie them down and keep them warm and comfortable. Loosen their clothing. If possible, raise their legs above the level of their torso and head (to improve blood flow to the brain, heart and lungs). Do not raise their legs if you suspect a spinal injury or if moving their legs causes pain, such as in the case of a suspected fracture in their leg(s).
- Manage any obvious signs of external bleeding. For example, firmly press a clean cloth or pad against a wound to stop blood loss. If blood seeps through and soaks the cloth, do not remove it. Add another cloth or pad over the top of the first one. If the second cloth or pad gets soaked, remove and replace that one with another clean cloth or pad. Continue maintaining firm pressure against the wound. Raise the bleeding injured limb if possible.
- Do not give the person anything to eat or drink, even if they are very thirsty.
- Reassure the person and encourage them to rest or stay still. Stay with them until the ambulance arrives.