 |
 |
|
|
|
|
DESCRIPTION
Shock is defined as a disturbance of the oxygen supply to the tissues and return of blood to the heart.
Shock occurs when the circulation system fails to send blood to all parts of the body. With shock, blood flow or blood volume is too low to meet the body's needs. Areas of the body are deprived of oxygen. The result is damage to the limbs, lungs, heart and brain. Shock requires IMMEDIATE medical treatment and can get worse very rapidly.
CAUSES OF SHOCK
It can follow:
- Any severe injury or serious illness.
- A heart attack or cardiac arrest (heart failure).
- Acute hemorrhage (blood loss) inside or outside the body.
- Severe pain.
- Excessive loss of body fluids (as in severe burns) or dehydration.
- Severe allergic reaction.
- Spinal injuries or other injuries to the nervous system.
MAJOR CLASSES OF SHOCK
Cardiogenic Shock: Associated with heart problems. Cardiogenic shock is a state in which the heart has been damaged so much that it is unable to supply enough blood to the organs of the body. Shock occurs whenever the heart is unable to pump enough blood for the needs of the body. Cardiogenic shock can be caused by disorders of the heart muscle, heart's electrical conduction system, or the heart valves not working properly. The most common cause is a heart attack (myocardial infarction), resulting in heart failure.
Hypovolemic Shock: Caused by inadequate blood volume. Hypovolemic shock is an emergency condition in which severe blood and fluid loss makes the heart unable to pump enough blood to the body. This type of shock can cause many organs to stop working. Losing about 1/5 or more of the normal amount of blood in your body causes hypovolemic shock. Blood loss can be due to bleeding from cuts or other injuries, or internal bleeding, such as in the gastrointestinal tract. The amount of circulating blood in your body may drop when you lose too many other body fluids, which can happen with burns, diarrhea, or dehydration resulting from vomiting and/or fever.
Anaphylactic Shock: Caused by allergic reactions. Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening type of allergic reaction. Anaphylaxis is a severe, whole-body allergic reaction. After being exposed to a substance like bee sting venom, the person's immune system becomes sensitized to that allergen. On a later exposure, an allergic reaction may occur. This reaction is sudden, severe, and involves the whole body. Tissues in different parts of the body release histamine and other substances. This causes the airways to tighten and leads to other symptoms. Some drugs (polymyxin, morphine, x-ray dye, and others) may cause an anaphylactic-like reaction (anaphylactoid reaction) when people are first exposed to them. This is usually due to a toxic reaction, rather than the immune system response that occurs with "true" anaphylaxis. The symptoms, risk for complications without treatment, and treatment are the same, however, for both types of reactions. Anaphylaxis can occur in response to any allergen. Common causes include drug allergies, food allergies, and insect bites/stings. Pollens and other inhaled allergens rarely cause anaphylaxis. Some people have an anaphylactic reaction with no known cause. Anaphylaxis rarely occurs. However, it is life-threatening and can occur at any time. Risks include past history of any type of allergic reaction.
Septic Shock: Associated with infections, such as Toxic Shock Syndrome. Septic shock is a serious condition that occurs when an overwhelming infection leads to life-threatening low blood pressure. Septic shock occurs most often in the very old and the very young. It also occurs in people who have other illnesses. Any type of bacteria can cause septic shock. Fungi and (rarely) viruses may also cause the condition. Toxins released by the bacteria or fungi may cause tissue damage, and may lead to low blood pressure and poor organ function. Some researchers think that blood clots in small arteries cause the lack of blood flow and poor organ function. The body also produces a strong inflammatory response to the toxins. This inflammation may contribute to organ damage.
Neurologic Shock: Caused by damage to the nervous system. Neurologic injury can interrupt sympathetic input to vasomotor neurons, resulting in vasodilation. Spinal shock may result from cervical cord injuries above T-1, which interrupt the sympathetic chain, allowing for unopposed parasympathetic stimulation. Such patients may present with the clinical picture of hemodynamic instability and hypotension accompanied by bradycardia because they may lose sympathetic vascular tone (resulting in vasodilation) while unable to mount an appropriate sympathetic-mediated tachycardic response.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS OF SHOCK
Early signs and symptoms include:
- Pale or blue-colored lips, skin, and/or fingernails.
- Cool or cold skin that is moist to the touch (clammy skin).
- Complaints of weakness.
- Low or no urine output.
- Weak, rapid pulse (over 100).
- Trembling.
- Dizziness, light-headedness, or faintness.
- Rapid, shallow or deep and irregular breathing.
- Chest pain.
- Restlessness, agitation, and anxiety.
- Confusion.
- Perspiration.
Later signs of shock include:
- Mottled skin.
- Lack of response.
- Sunken eyes with pupils that are dilated (enlarged), and vacant expression.
- Loss of consciousness.
- Drop in body temperature.
TREATMENT
Shock requires immediate emergency medical care. It can be life threatening or fatal if not treated.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES
Anxiety aggravates the situation, but shock can be prevented if steps are taken early. Prevention of shock includes controlling situations that could trigger it.
Learn ways to prevent heart disease, falls, injuries, dehydration, and other causes of shock. If you have a known allergy (for example, to insect bites or stings), carry an epinephrine pen. Your health care provider will teach you how and when to use it.
Once someone is already in shock, the sooner the shock is treated, the less damage there may be to the person's vital organs (like the kidney, liver and brain). Early first aid and emergency medical help can save a life.
FIRST AID FOR SHOCK BEFORE EMERGENCY CARE ARRIVES
Call 9-1-1 for help - activate the emergency medical system (EMS). Do this before starting first aid for shock. Once the call is placed then proceed with first aid measures until EMS arrives on the scene.
Check for a response. Give Rescue Breaths or CPR as needed. Everyone should receive training in CPR and first responder first aid. Remember the ABCs... Airway, Breathing, & Circulation. See CPR links at the bottom of this article.
Keep the person lying down, face-up, and quiet. Do not move him or her if you suspect a head, back, or neck injury.
Maintain normal body temperature. Provide light warmth if needed.
Position person with the feet and legs slightly higher (usually about 12 inches) than body and head (Trendelenburg position), unless contraindicated by specific injury such as hip or leg bones are broken or if raising the legs will cause pain or potential harm. If this is the case, keep the person laying flat. Raising the feet, if possible, assures improved circulation to vital organs. A box or pillows can be used to raise the feet. DO NOT elevate the head.
- Burned areas should be elevated unless it causes the person pain.
- If fractures are involved, make sure the part is splinted (braced) before positioning the person to prevent shock.
If the person vomits or has trouble breathing, raise him or her to a half-sitting position (if no head, back or neck injury). Or turn the person on his or her side to prevent choking or aspiration of vomit (usually the best thing to do). If there is a suspected spinal injury, "log roll" him or her instead by keeping the person's head, neck and back in line and roll him or her as a unit.
Give appropriate first aid for any wounds, injuries, or illnesses.
Loosen tight clothing.
Keep the person warm. Cover with a coat, blanket, etc.
Monitor for a response. Repeat as needed.
Reassure the person. Make him or her as comfortable as possible until EMS arrives on the scene.
Intravenous fluids to improve circulatory volume and low volumes of oxygen will be given, if available or when EMS arrives.
- This equipment will be readily at hand in a care facility.
- In the community, the emergency personnel answering the call will bring the supplies necessary to manage fluid and oxygenation.
Continue to monitor pulse and respirations.
Unless shock is controlled, death can occur. Until help arrives, your care can often make the difference between life and death.
DO NOT...
DO NOT give any food or liquids. If the person wants water, moisten the lips.
DO NOT move the person with a known or suspected spinal injury.
DO NOT wait for milder shock symptoms to worsen before calling emergency medical help.
DO...
Call 9-1-1 any time a person has symptoms of shock. Stay with the person and follow the first aid steps until medical help arrives.
ELECTRICAL SHOCK
Electric shock occurs when an electric current flows through the body. The human body is made up of 60-70 percent water. This makes it a good conductor of electricity. Burns, damage to internal organs, heart rhythm problems, and death can result from electric shock.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
Shocking sensations. Numbness or tingling. A change in vision, speech, or in any sensation.
Burns or open wounds. These occur where the electricity enters and exits the body.
Muscle spasms or contractions.
Sudden immobility or fractures. A body part may looked deformed.
Interrupted breathing. Irregular heartbeats or chest pain.
Seizures.
Unconsciousness.
A small child who bites or sucks on an electric cord can have a facial injury or distinct burn around the rim of the mouth.
Electric shock can cause tissue damage under the skin's surface.
CAUSES OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK
Touching a high-voltage (more than 1,000 volts) source, such as high-tension wires that fall during a storm. Touching someone who is still touching a live current. Touching a low-voltage (less than 1,000 volts) current source, such as an electric socket or worn cord.
Mixing water and electricity. Never throw water on an electrical fire.
Being struck by lightning. A bolt of lightning carries as many as 30 million volts.
TREATMENT OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK
Contact with electricity from a high-voltage wire or being struck by lightning needs emergency medical care. Contact with electricity from a low-voltage current needs emergency medical care if any signs or symptoms listed above are present. A person who does not have any symptoms should still see a health care provider to check for possible internal injuries.
TO AVOID BEING HARMED BY LIGHTENING
Heed weather warnings.
Take shelter in a building, if you can.
Stay in your car (if it is not a convertible) rather than out in the open.
If you are caught outside, avoid tall trees, open water, metal objects, and high ground. Crawl into a low-lying place or curl up on the ground, head to knees with your head touching the ground.
QUESTIONS TO ASK
Do any of these problems occur?
- The person is still in contact with the electric source or was in contact with a high-voltage wire.
- The person was struck by lightning.
- The person is not breathing.
If the answer is YES - Get Medical Care Immediately!
(Note: Give first aid for burns as needed.)
If the answer is NO, ask the next questions:
- Has an electric shock gone through the body in such a way that it might have passed through the center of the chest? Or, are any signs and symptoms of electric shock listed above present?
If the answer is YES - Get Medical Care Immediately!
If the answer is NO, ask the next questions:
After having an electric shock, are any of these problems present?
- Cough with phlegm. Fever. Headache.
- Wounds are not healing.
- Tetanus shots are not up-to-date.
If the answer is YES - See a health care provider as soon as possible.
If the answer is NO, use first aid measures below.
FIRST AID FOR ELECTRICAL SHOCK
Beware! Do not put yourself in danger to give first aid. Do not touch the person until power is shut off.
If the source is a high-voltage wire or lightning, call 9-1-1!
It is safe to touch a person struck by lightning.
If the source is a low-voltage current, remove the fuse or switch off the circuit breaker to the electrical outlet.
If you cannot shut off the source, with dry feet and hands, use a board, wooden stick, rope, etc. to get the person away from the source.
If it is safe for you to touch the person, check for a response. Give CPR, as needed. See CPR links at the bottom of this article.
Unless it is absolutely necessary, do not move the person. He or she could have a traumatic injury, especially to the head or neck.
Check for burns. Cover burned areas with dry, sterile dressings.
Give first aid for Shock (see above in the first section), if needed.
PREVENTION OF ELECTRICAL SHOCKS
Stay clear of fallen wires. Inform the police, electric company, etc.
Install ground-fault circuit-interrupters (GFCIs) in wall outlets of bathrooms, kitchens, etc. With GFCIs, when an electrical appliance falls into water, the current is instantly cut off.
Do not turn electrical switches on or off or touch an electric appliance while your hands are wet, while standing in water, or when sitting in a bathtub.
Replace worn cords and wiring.
Heed warnings to avoid electrical hazards.
Cover all electric sockets with plastic safety caps.
Before you do electrical repairs, remove the fuse from the fuse box or switch off the circuit breaker. Do not just turn off the appliance or light switch.
FIRST AID & RELATED LINKS
MoonDragon's Healthcare Information: Cardiovascular Care
For a full list of available products from Mountain Rose Herbs, click on banner below:
HELPFUL PRODUCTS & FURTHER EDUCATION
Prescription for Nutritional Healing: The A-To-Z Guide To Supplements
-- by Phyllis A. Balch, James F. Balch - 2nd Edition
Prescription for Nutritional Healing: The A-To-Z Guide To Supplements
-- by Phyllis A. Balch, James F. Balch - 4th Edition
Prescription for Herbal Healing: The A-To-Z Reference To Common Disorders
-- by Phyllis A. Balch
The Complete Guide to Natural Healing
If you see a suggested Amazon product "not there" as indicated by an orange box with the Amazon logo, this only means the specific product link has been changed by Amazon.com. Use the "click here" icon on the orange box and it will bring you to Amazon.com and you can do a search for a specific product using keywords and a new list of available products and prices will show. Their product and resource links are constantly changing and being upgraded. Many times there are more than one link to a specific product. Prices will vary between product distributors so it pays to shop around and do price comparisons.
Educational materials and health products are available through Amazon.com. Use the search box provided below to search for a particular item.
HERBS, OILS, & SUPPLIES
Mountain Rose Bulk Herbs
Mountain Rose Aromatherapy Oils
Click Here To Visit Herbal Remedies Product Page
A Source For Medicinal & Ritual Herbs & Supplies
Aphrodisiacs Aromatherapy Bath & Body Care Bulk Herbs By The Pound Capsules, Tablets & Extracts Chinese Herbals Electronics Extracts First Aid Products Food Products, Mixes, Seeds, Snacks & More! Hair Care Products & Supplies Herbs & Oils, Kilo & Ton Hydroponics & Gardening Kava Products Kitchen & Housewares Mushrooms Musical Instruments Oral Care & Dental Products PC & IT - Computer Supplies & Assessories Skin Care, Cosmetics, & Gift Sets Smokes, Seeds, Cacti Spices, Salts, Sweeteners, & Seasonings Sports, Toys & Games Sweets, Candy, Chips & Snacks Stimulants Sedatives Teas & Coffees
Shaman Shop Home Page
