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By: Ikedi Ani-okoye

Dealing with shock

Shock is a serious condition caused by a sudden and dramatic drop in blood pressure. Without swift medical attention, shock can be life-threatening. It can be caused by any illness or injury that causes too little blood to circulate around the body, such as a heart attack or serious bleeding. This deprives the body of oxygen, leading to the pale, cold, collapsed state that typifies shocks. This so-called physiological or circulatory shock must not be confused with the psychological or emotional shock that often occurs after a traumatic event.

What causes shock?

Any trauma or illness that reduces blood circulation is capable of causing shock. Blood circulation can fail for many different reasons. If the heart is unable to pump effectively, after a heart attack for example, shock will follow. Abnormal heart rhythm con lead to shock. Electrocution can cause the heart to stop pumping blood.

Another common cause of shock is excessive loss of body fluids, which may be due to flood loss after a serious accident or fluid loss caused by extensive burns or prolonged diarrhoea and vomiting. A person can lose up to 0. 5 litre (1 Pint) of blood Without any Affect; after a loss of 2 litres (3.5 pints), symptoms of shock become apparent; and after losing 3 litres (5 pints) of blood, which is half the body's normal capacity, the end stages of shock, including loss of consciousness and heart failure, appear.

A severe head or spinal injury might affect control of the body's blood flow. The blood vessels may widen abnormally in severe infections and some types of poisoning. A severe allergic reaction in susceptible people may lead to the same symptoms - a very specific and rapidly life-threatening condition knows as anaphylactic shocks.

Symptoms of shock

In reaction to the reduced circulation of blood, the body directs blood to vital areas such as the heart and lungs, and away from the skin. This makes the skin cold and pale. The body releases adrenaline as an emergency response and this causes a rapid pulse and sweating. AS tihe blood flow weakens further, the brain begins to suffer from lack of oxygen, leading to nausea, dizzines blurred vision, and confusion. If blood circulation is not restored rapidly, the casualty will start gasping for breath and will soon lose consciousness.

Signs and symptoms of circulatory shock

Pale or grey skin that feels cold and clammy.
Fast, weak pulse.
Profuse sweating.
Fast, shallow breathing.
Dizziness and faintness.
Nausea and vomiting.
Blurred vision.
Thirst.
Yawning, sighing, and gasping for air
Reetlessness.
Anxiety and/or oonfusion.
Loss of consciousness.