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Shock
Medical Questions » Shock
| Name: Shock |
| Also known as: Shock Syndrome |
| Any condition in which there is inadequate circulation of blood around the body. |
Causes of Shock
Many serious causes including loss of blood from a major injury, severe burns, several fractures, extensive bleeding into the gut from an ulcer or other disease, massive diarrhoea, various forms of heart damage and failure, lung disease (eg. thrombosis or embolism), heart valve disease or septicemia. |
Symptoms of Shock
The patient collapses, is obviously very ill, pale, sweaty, has a weak thready pulse, the blood pressure is very low, and may become unconscious. Further symptoms depend on the cause, and may vary from pain to shortness of breath and fever. |
Tests for Shock
Extensive blood, urine, X-ray and other tests performed in order to determine cause. |
Treatment for Shock
First aid involves lying the patient flat with legs raised if conscious to improve blood flow to the brain, or lying down flat and on the side if unconscious, controlling any bleeding, maintaining body temperature by the use of warm blankets, splinting fractures, protecting burnt areas, and if the patient deteriorates, mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and external cardiac massage may be necessary. In a hospital intensive care unit fluids or blood are given through a drip into a vein, and oxygen and pain-killing injections are given when appropriate. Further treatment depends on the cause and may include a wide range of drugs and possibly surgery.
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Complications of Shock of its treatment
Permanent damage to almost any organ (including the brain and heart) may occur due to poor blood supply or blood clots (thrombosis). |
Likely Outcome of Shock
Depends upon a multitude of factors including the cause of the shock, the patient' s age and general health, and the speed with which medical assistance can be obtained. |
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