Shock

Shock General Information

Problems with the body’s circulatory system are very delicate and need immediate medical care because they can have a variety of life threatening side effects. The process which determines the blood to enter the tissues is known as perfusion. When this process does not occur as it should, the state is called hypoperfusional. If insufficient blood flow reaches to body tissues, a medical condition called Shock will appear. The blood carries the necessary nutrients and oxygen throughout the body, helping it to function properly. If this serious and life threatening medical disorder develops, reduced flow interferes in the delivery of these components and can stop the tissues from functioning, leading to the death of the patient (as a result of massive damage to multiple organs).

This disease is a medical emergency responsible with the death of critically-ill people. You must understand that medical Shock is not the same with the emotional state. This type of medical disorder can cause the stopping of the heart (cardiac arrest) or lack of oxygen in arterial blood (a condition called hypoxemia). Specialists have discovered five major classes of this condition: cardiogenic (related to heart disorders), hypovolemic (a result of abnormal blood volume), anaphylactic (a result of allergic reactions), septic (related to infections) and neurogenic (a result of nervous system damages). This complex medical condition is caused by various other problems that reduce and blood flow, for example: low blood volume (such as dehydration or heavy bleeding), heart disorders (heart failure or heart attack), changes in blood vessels, spinal injuries, etc.

Shock Symptoms

Knowing the signs and symptoms of medical disorders may help the patient realize in time that he/she confronts a health problem. Life threatening conditions must be diagnosed in time and treated properly because they can cause severe complications that lead to death. A medical condition of this kind is Shock, considered by many doctors a medical emergency. This disease has some specific signs and symptoms that are usually experienced by almost all patients diagnosed with this condition; the symptoms depend on the specific type and cause of the disorder. A person diagnosed with this type of health condition has a very low blood pressure. Other signs and symptoms that characterize Shock include one or more of the following: confusion, rapid but weak pulse, pale, clammy skin, low or no urine output, dizziness, agitation, moist, cool skin, bluish fingernails or lips, profuse sweating, anxiety, pain felt in the chest area, etc. More severe symptoms are considered to be: swallow breathing, faintness, unconsciousness or light-headedness.

If a patient suffers from anaphylactic Shock, he or she may accuse localized edema, skin eruptions (especially on the face), swelling of the throat, large welts, narrowing airways etc. The obstructive form is characterized by the absence of pulse, caused by tachyarrhythmia, distended jugular veins because of the increased jugular venous pressure or pulsus paradoxus. The septic type causes high fever, pyrexia (as a result of overwhelming bacterial infections), increased cardiac output or vasodilatation. Some rarer symptoms include: dry mouth and thirst, restlessness, distracted look in the eyes and cutis marmorata (mottled and cold skin). 

Shock Treatment

An early diagnosis followed by the adequate therapy may increase the chances of a full recovery in a short period of time. We strongly advise you to call 911 any time a person experiences the signs and symptoms specific for Shock that we have listed above. First aid is also very important if it is applied correctly. You must stay with the respective person and follow some of the steps of the first aid until medical help arrives. All the treatment options depend on the type of Shock the patient is suffering from. In the early stages of this medical condition, immediate intervention is absolutely necessary to preserve life. This is why hospitalization is needed all the time. Usually, health care providers must intervene before the diagnosis is set. The main aims of any therapy are to re-establish perfusion to the affected organs and to maintain the blood flow, to ensure that the blood pressure and oxygenation are appropriate, to prevent complications and to maintain and to achieve a good cardiac function. Also, the airways of patients must be carefully managed by intubation and mechanical ventilation; patients should also receive oxygen therapy. These are measures to prevent complications and are usually applied before hospitalization.

Specific treatment options are given depending on the cause of this medical condition. The definitive therapy varies with the type of Shock. If the patient is diagnosed with a hypovolemic form, he will receive supplementary therapy with oxygen and the doctors will increase and then maintain the intravascular volume and will decrease any future fluid loss through the administration of IV (intravenously) fluids. Colloids are sometimes prescribed although it is not sure what benefits they bring in the initial therapy of Shock. Some of the most used colloids include: Haemaccel (Polygeline), Hepsan (Hetastarach), Dextran (Polysaccharide), Gelufosine (succunylated gelatin) etc. In the case of cardiogenic form, specialists will administrate cardiac drugs, oxygen therapy and will increase the heart’s pumping action with the help of specific medications.

Intotropic agents are sometimes preferred because they improve the heart’s contractility, enhance the heart’s pumping capabilities and correct the low tension (hypotension). Sometimes, this form gets worse in a short period of time. If the septic form appears, the respective patients will receive antibiotics and the health care providers will try to identify and then control the infection source. If the anaphylactic form is discovered, fluid replacement and administration of anti-histamines and other counter-mediators are preferred. If these treatment options are applied correctly, the prognosis is good and the expectations high. Usually, the results of the therapies depend on the extent and nature of concurrent issues. This severe medical condition can be prevented if people learn to prevent dehydration, heart diseases, injuries, falls or other causes of the disease.