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Shock is defined as a lack of oxygen in the body's tissues. It is a life-threatening condition where the circulatory system fails to provide enough oxygenated blood to the body.
Shock can be triggered by various factors, including:
Hypovolemic shock occurs when there is a lack of fluid or blood volume in the circulatory system. This results in the heart working harder to pump blood around the body.
A common cause of hypovolemic shock is significant blood loss, which can be due to internal or external bleeding.
Neurogenic shock is caused by a disruption in the autonomic nervous system (ANS) pathways, often following an injury to the central nervous system, such as a spinal cord injury or traumatic brain injury.
Complications include sustained and severe hypotension (low blood pressure) and bradycardia (slow heart rate), which can persist for weeks after the injury.
The ANS is a part of the peripheral nervous system responsible for involuntary bodily functions, such as:
The ANS has two main branches:
Cardiogenic shock is a critical condition in which the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. This leads to inadequate blood flow to vital organs, which can cause severe complications.
It is most often caused by a major heart attack, though not everyone who has a heart attack will experience cardiogenic shock.
Anaphylactic shock is a severe allergic reaction to substances like food, insect stings, or medications. It is a life-threatening condition and requires immediate treatment.
The symptoms of shock include:
If someone is in shock, follow these emergency steps:
Fainting is often considered a mild form of shock. It can be treated by laying the person down and elevating their legs. In most cases, fainting does not require calling emergency services, as the person usually recovers quickly.