What is Shock|How it affects health

Shock  is a word which you listened  in your life for a different context like shock of electricity or shocked by seeing an amazing thing, but a shock could be medical  condition or an emergency situation for the life of any person. So, lets know about shock as a life threatening situation. 

What is shock.

Shock is a medical emergency in which the organ  and tissues of the body are not receiving an adequate blood flow.

It is a life threatening condition in which perfusion ( flow of blood, and other body fluid to tissues or organs) to body is reduced which is associated with fall in blood pressure, caused by events shuch as sudden emotional change, stress and marked loss of blood, severe burn, cold, allergic reaction.

The person who is getting shock needed an immidiate treatment because its a medical emergency.

Types of shock

It can be categorised according to their cause like.,

Cardiogenic shock

It happens when heart is not able to perform its function, the sign of this type shock could be:-

Distention of jugular vein,

Bluish skin etc.

Hypovolemic shock

It occurs because of low blood volume. It can be seen in person after an accident where a large amount of blood is lost from the body. 

Or in a person with sever diarrhoea where body fluids lost very rapidly from body, the sign  of this type of shock is:-

Rapid, thready or irregular pulse

Urine output less than 20ml/24hr.

Septic shock

It is caused by an infection. It is the activation of the inflammatory process due to infection in the body, the sign of this condition:-

Rapid heart rate

Warm, pink extremities 

Anaphylactic shock

It occurs because of allergic reaction. It is a severe potential life threatening allergic reaction which is rapid in onset and may cause death, the sign of this condition are:-

Pruritus (itchy skin)

Urticaria (skin infection)

Diarrhoea

  

Abdominal pain

Neurogenic shock

It is caused by the damage to nervous system in this condition blood vessels gets dilated. Sign of this condition are:-

Low blood pressure 

Hypothemia ( reduced temperature) 

Reduced heart rate.

 

How shock arises in body

The process how shock arise in the body.

Due to the reason like alleryg, infection or lost blood volume. 

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The flow of body fluid like blood or other fluids to tissues or organs is reduced, which is called reduced perfusion.

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That causes the low level of oxygen in blood which causes hypoxia.

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After that the energy level is decreases in body.

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Then lactic acid accumulates that causes the constriction of veins and pH level of blood is also decreases.

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That causes metabolic acidosis, dysfunction of  cell membrane, destruction and death of cells and causes shock.

Sign and symtoms of the shock

These are some general symptom that could indicate this condition.

• Anxiety 

• Chest pain

• Bluish lips and finger nails

• Nausea and vomiting 

• Unconsciousness 

• Shallow breathing 

What conditions might Cause Shock 

Heart failure 

In heart failure the  heart is no longer able to pump the blood needed to meet body's requirement that causes lack of flow of blood in body and reduces perfusion.

Dehydration 

In dehydration  the fluid level of body is already low and that is the favourable condition for occuring shock.

Hemmorrhage 

In hemmorrhage (bleeding) large amount of blood is lost from body that reduces blood perfusion and causes shock.

Infections

Sever infection in body can cause septic shock.

Low blood pressure

In low blood  pressure also tissue perfusion is reduced, body not gets enough supply of oxygen.

Hypothermia due to decrease perfusion and sweating

Hypothermia can be also cause it because in hypothermia pheripheral perfusion is reduced. 

What is emergency management "condition" that can cause shock

Shock is an emergency crises so the person should get emergency treatment like:

• If the person have injury, to avoid infection apply the ice to the point of injury and keep compressed to alleviate pain.

• If the person is conscious and does not have an injury to head, leg, then place the person in shock position (with slightly elevated legs, head end should be down compare to legs)

• Give approptriate first aid for any wounds, injuries.

• Keep the person warm and comfortable  and loosen the tight clothing.

• If the person is having vomiting then turn the person to one side for preventing aspiration.

• As soon as possible send the person to hospital for proper medical management.