Shock is a disorder caused
by injury or damage to the body, loss of blood marked by a sharp drop in blood
pressure or a rapid pulse. It is also referred to as a serious condition caused
by sudden or dramatic drop in blood pressure e.g. heart attack, severe
bleeding.
by injury or damage to the body, loss of blood marked by a sharp drop in blood
pressure or a rapid pulse. It is also referred to as a serious condition caused
by sudden or dramatic drop in blood pressure e.g. heart attack, severe
bleeding.
Shock is a life-threatening
condition that can result, from a large burn, losing a lot of blood, severe
illness, dehydration, severe allergic reaction and heavy internal bleeding,
etc.
condition that can result, from a large burn, losing a lot of blood, severe
illness, dehydration, severe allergic reaction and heavy internal bleeding,
etc.
Signs and Symptoms of Shock
(1)Weak rapid pulse
(2) Cold
sweat, pale, cold skin
sweat, pale, cold skin
(3) Mental confusion, weakness or loss of consciousness
(4) Blood pressure drops dangerously low
(5) Thirst, yawning, sighing, gasping
for air
for air
(6) Blurred vision, dizziness and fainting
(7) Restlessness
(8) Rapid
breath
breath
(9) There is fall in temperature.
Types of Shock
1. Oligaemic Shock: This is the shock due to
damaged tissue resulting to loss of blood or fluid from the circulation. This
is common with fractures, haemorrhage, burns and scalds, surgical operations,
vomiting etc.
damaged tissue resulting to loss of blood or fluid from the circulation. This
is common with fractures, haemorrhage, burns and scalds, surgical operations,
vomiting etc.
2. Neurogenic Shock: In this case, no injury
has occurred or taken place but it is due to emotional onset e.g. bad news,
fear, etc.
has occurred or taken place but it is due to emotional onset e.g. bad news,
fear, etc.
3. Cardiogenic Shock: It is a shock due to
inadequate cardiac function or heart failures as a result of heart diseases.
inadequate cardiac function or heart failures as a result of heart diseases.
4. Anaphylactic Shock: This is a shock that
result from allergic reaction to certain drugs.
result from allergic reaction to certain drugs.
5. Septic Shock: This is a shock due to
infection that are caused by micro-organisms.
infection that are caused by micro-organisms.
Shock may be either primary
or secondary. Primary shock occurs at the time of injury while secondary shock occurs
after several hours after incidents or injuries.
or secondary. Primary shock occurs at the time of injury while secondary shock occurs
after several hours after incidents or injuries.
First Aid Treatment for Shock
1. Have the person lie down
with his feet higher than his head, however if he has a severe head injury, put
him in a half sitting position.
with his feet higher than his head, however if he has a severe head injury, put
him in a half sitting position.
2. Stop any bleeding.
3. If the person feels cold,
cover him with a blanket.
cover him with a blanket.
4. If the person is conscious
and able to drink, give him a sip of water or other drink. If he looks
dehydrated, give him a lot of liquid and dehydration drink.
and able to drink, give him a sip of water or other drink. If he looks
dehydrated, give him a lot of liquid and dehydration drink.
5. Treat his wound if he has
any.
any.
6. If in pain, give him drug
like Paracetamol, do not give him medicine containing sedative such as codeine.
like Paracetamol, do not give him medicine containing sedative such as codeine.
7. Keep calm and reassure the
victim.
victim.
8. If the patient is
unconscious;
unconscious;
a.) Lay him on his side with his
head low, tilted to one side.
head low, tilted to one side.
b.) If he has vomited clean his
mouth immediately with his head tilted back and to one side so he does not
vomit.
mouth immediately with his head tilted back and to one side so he does not
vomit.
c.) Do not give him any thing
by mouth, until he becomes conscious.
by mouth, until he becomes conscious.
d.) If possible use intravenous
solution (normal saline) as a drip.
solution (normal saline) as a drip.
9. Seek medical help fast.
