- What are the signs and symptoms
- Possible causes
- What to do in case of shock
- How the treatment is done
The shock state is characterized by insufficient oxygenation of vital organs, which happens due to acute circulatory failure, which can be caused by factors such as trauma, organ perforation, emotions, cold or extreme heat, surgery, among others.
If not treated, the state of shock can lead to death, so one should be aware of symptoms such as pallor, weak pulse, low blood pressure or dilated pupils, for example, especially if the person has had an accident. Know the different types of shock.
What are the signs and symptoms
You can identify someone in shock when they have pale, cold and sticky skin, weak pulse, slow and shallow breathing, low blood pressure, dizziness, weakness, dull eyes, with fixed eyes and dilated pupils.
In addition, some people may experience nausea, chest pain, cold sweating and in more severe cases lead to prostration and unconsciousness.
When someone goes into a state of shock, they may be conscious or unconscious, but in any case it is important for clinical observation of signs and symptoms by a health professional.
Possible causes
The state of shock can be the result of major trauma, sudden organ perforation, a blow, heat stroke, burn, exposure to extreme cold, allergic reaction, severe infection, surgery, emotions, dehydration, drowning or intoxication.
What to do in case of shock
If the person is conscious, one should lie down in an airy and safe place and try to loosen the clothes from the body, loosening the buttons and clasps and widening ties and handkerchiefs, for example, but at the same time, try to maintain the normal body temperature. You should also raise your legs slightly, at an angle of about 45ยบ and try to calm her down while the medical emergency is called.
If the person is unconscious, he should be placed in a lateral safety position and call the medical emergency, who will take him to the hospital. Learn how to do the lateral safety position.
In addition, it is important that the victim is never given a drink if he is unconscious.
How the treatment is done
Treatment depends on the type of shock the person is suffering from. Thus, if you suffer from hypovolemic shock, you must stop the bleeding and increase the volume of blood, administering fluids in the vein and, in more severe cases, it may be necessary to perform a blood transfusion and treat external wounds.
In case of cardiogenic shock, fluids should be administered in the vein, vasoconstrictor remedies and in more severe cases, it may be necessary to perform surgery on the heart.
In neurogenic shock, in addition to the administration of fluids in the vein, the administration of corticosteroids may also be necessary and in septic shock, treatment is carried out with antibiotics and ventilation, in case the person has difficulty breathing.
Anaphylactic shock is treated with antihistamines, corticosteroids and adrenaline, obstructive shock is treated by removing the cause of the obstruction, and endocrine shock is controlled with drugs that correct hormonal imbalance.
