Shock Management

Shock is most often caused due to loss of blood. It may either develop at once or may be delayed.

Shock is a condition of collapse, which should be treated as top priority, second only to attending to obstructed breathing, stoppage of the heart or severe bleeding.

Conditions in which shock is seen

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Severe Bleeding: Shock is most often caused due to loss of blood. It may either develop at once or may be delayed. The blood loss could be either seen externally or could be internal within a particular organ or system. The greater the loss of blood, the greater the risk of developing shock. It is important to remember that the slow, steady loss of blood can produce shock.

Heart Attacks: Obstructed blood supply to the heart and failure of the function of the heart can produce shock.

Severe burns: Extensive areas of the burnt skin surface can produce shock.

Severe Bacterial Infections: Discharge of toxins produced by the bacteria into the blood stream can produce shock.

Abdominal Emergencies: A burst appendix, perforated intestine or stomach, intestinal obstruction, pancreatitis etc, can produce shock.

Excessive Loss of Body Fluids: Diarrhoea, vomiting etc. can produce shock.

Crush Injuries: Injuries following explosions, building collapses etc., can produce shock.

(Source: Webhealthcentre.com)