What is circulatory shock?

The term shock is often confused by people as meaning getting a fright. However, in medical terms it is a life-threatening condition which occurs when the circulatory system fails. A casualty suffering from circulatory shock may suffer from permanent organ damage or even death.

Causes of Shock

Shock is most commonly a result of major blood loss. In an adult the loss of 2 pints or 1.2 litres of blood, one fifth of the normal blood volume, shock will occur. The loss of blood may be from wounds or from bleeding from internal injuries from organs or burst blood vessels.

Fluid loss from vomiting, diarrhoea and severe burns can also result in shock. It is also possible for a body with adequate blood volume to enter shock due to the heart failing to pump the blood. This may be a result of heart disease, heart attack or acute heart failure. Other causes include severe infection, low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia), hypothermia, severe allergic reaction (anaphylactic shock), drug overdose or a spinal cord inury.

Recognition

Initially - rapid pulse, pale cold and clamy skin, sweating

As shock develops - Grey-blue skin and lips (cyanosis), weak and dizzy, nausea, thrist rapid shallow reathing, weak pulse

Brain oxygen supply weakens - restlessness and aggressiveness, unconsciousness

Treatment

1. Treat any obvious cause of shock

2. Improve blood supply to brain by lying caualty down and raising legs

3. Keep casualty warm and dry

4. Arrange removal to hospital

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