5 Types of First Aid Shocks (Symptoms and Treatment for Shock)
Author:
CPR Select
Last updated:
7/24/2024
Shock is a medical emergency that occurs when the body's vital organs do not receive enough blood and oxygen to function properly. There are various types of shock, each with its own distinct symptoms, causes, and treatment approaches. In this article, we will explore the most common types of first aid shock and provide insights into how to recognize and address them promptly.
There are different types of first aid shock with different underlying causes, symptoms, and treatments. Below are five types of First aid shock everyone should know:
Anaphylactic Shock: Anaphylactic shock is a rapid and severe allergic reaction that can lead to swelling of the airways, difficulty breathing, and a drop in blood pressure.
Septic Shock: Septic shock is a life-threatening condition resulting from a severe infection that triggers widespread inflammation, leading to low blood pressure and organ dysfunction.
Cardiogenic Shock: Cardiogenic shock occurs when the heart's ability to pump blood is compromised, often due to a heart attack or heart failure.
Neurogenic Shock: Neurogenic shock stems from nervous system damage, such as spinal cord injuries, resulting in low blood pressure, a slow heart rate, and potential loss of reflexes.
Hypovolemic Shock: Hypovolemic shock is caused by a severe loss of blood or bodily fluids due to factors like bleeding, dehydration, or burns.
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Anaphylactic shock, known as anaphylaxis, is a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that occurs rapidly after exposure to an allergen. An allergen is a substance that triggers an allergic reaction in individuals who are sensitive or allergic to it. Anaphylactic shock is considered a medical emergency and requires immediate attention and treatment.
Symptoms of Anaphylactic Shock
You will notice the first symptoms of Anaphylactic Shock within 15 minutes of contact with the allergen, so it’s crucial to be familiar with them. Symptom starts mild, like a runny nose or an uneasy feeling. But they get worse quickly. Some usual symptoms include:
Itchy skin
Dizziness
Coughing
Sneezing
Breaking out in hives
Labored breathing
Rapid heartbeat
Wheezing
Vomiting
In severe cases, people collapse, stop breathing, and lose consciousness in just a couple of minutes.
Treatment of Anaphylactic Shock
A shot of epinephrine uses in emergency is needed right away, then call 911 because you’re at risk for a second reaction within 12 hours. The emergency medical team save your life if you don’t have epinephrine. They’ll put a shot of epinephrine under your skin or in a muscle or vein. Usually, this gets your blood pressure back to normal. This is learned by taking epipen training. You’ll get fluids, steroids, and antihistamines through a tube connected to one of your veins until your symptoms are gone.
Other possible treatments of Anaphylactic Shock include a breathing tube, medications to help you breathe better, and a corticosteroid to keep symptoms from coming back hours later.
2. Septic Shock
Septic shock is a life threatening form of first aid shock that occurs when the blood pressure drops to a dangerously low level after an infection. Any type of bacteria, fungal, or viral infection causes the infection. Senior citizens, pregnant women, babies, and people with a weakened immune system are more likely to experience Septic Shock. If left untreated, the toxins produced by the infection can harm the small blood vessels, causing them to leak fluid into the surrounding tissues. This affects the heart’s ability to pump blood to the vital organs, which lowers the blood pressure and means blood doesn’t reach the brain and liver.
Symptoms of Septic Shock
Symptoms of Septic Shock often mimic the symptoms of other issues, such as a cold or fever. Other symptoms include:
Dizziness
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Severe muscular pain
Disorientation
Slurred speech
Shortness of breath
Loss of consciousness
Treatment of Septic Shock
Septic Shock should be treated immediately. If you experienced Septic Shock, you would usually be admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) to support your body’s functions and organs while the infection is treated. In some cases, septic shock treatment starts in the emergency department. Treatment options include fluids given directly through a vein ot intravenous fluids, oxygen therapy, antibiotics, and other medication to increase your blood flow. For severe cases, surgery is needed to remove the source of infection.
3. Cardiogenic Shock
Cardiogenic is a form of shock that occurs when the heart is damaged and can’t supply enough blood to the body’s vital organs. It’s often the result of a heart attack. During a heart attack, the blood flow through the arteries is restricted or blocked entirely. This restriction leads to cardiogenic shock.
This type of first aid shock is uncommon, but it’s a serious medical emergency, and it’s extremely difficult to survive when it does occur. Almost no one survived cardiogenic Shock in the past. However, today, half of the people who experience cardiogenic Shock survive with prompt treatment. This is due to improved treatments and quicker recognition of symptoms.
Symptoms of Cardiogenic Shock:
Symptoms of cardiogenic Shock appears very quickly. Symptoms include the following:
Rapid breathing
Severe shortness of breath
Sudden, rapid heartbeat (tachycardia)
Loss of consciousness
Weak pulse
Low blood pressure (hypotension)
Sweating
Pale skin
Cold hands or feet
Urinating less than usual or not at all
Treatment of Cardiogenic Shock:
It’s important to call 911 or immediately go to an emergency room if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms. The sooner it is treated, the better the outlook. The most important part of Cardiogenic Shock treatment is improving the blood flow and oxygen to the vital organs to avoid damage. Cardiogenic shock treatment include life support to restore blood flow to major organs, medication to prevent blood clots, and make the heart stronger and get more blood to the vital organs. Devices are used to help the heart pump enough blood to the organs and the rest of the body.
4. Neurogenic Shock
Neurogenic shock is a medical condition in which a person has trouble keeping their heart rate, blood pressure, and temperature stable. It’s usually the result of a severe injury to the central nervous system, a spinal injury, or brain damage. Some of the most common causes include gunshot wounds, car accidents, sports injuries, or improper administration of anesthesia to the spinal cord.
Like other types of first aid shock, Neurogenic shock is a serious condition that is fatal because the blood flow is too low. Without regular blood flow, the cells can’t get the oxygen and nutrients they need to do their jobs. If left untreated, neurogenic shock causes permanent damage to organs or even death.
Symptoms of Neurogenic Shock:
Symptoms of neurogenic shock include:
Fainting
Weak pulse
Chest pain
Discolored lips
Hypothermia
Blank stares
Dizziness
Treatment of Neurogenic Shock:
When a person has symptoms of shock, call 911 immediately for medical attention. Neurogenic Shock treatment includes immobilizing the patient to prevent further injury, intravenous fluids, and medication to increase the blood pressure. Emergency medical providers order several different medicines, including Phenylephrine, Norepinephrine, Epinephrine, Atropine, Glycopyrrolate, Isoproterenol, Theophylline, and Aminophylline.
5. Hypovolemic Shock
Hypovolemic shock, known as a low volume shock, is a dangerous type of first aid shock that happens when you suddenly lose a lot of blood or fluids from your body. If the blood volume gets too low, the organs in your body won’t be able to keep working. The most common cause of hypovolemic shock is blood loss when a major blood vessel bursts or when you’re seriously injured. This is called hemorrhagic shock. It's caused by burns, heavy bleeding related to pregnancy, or even from severe vomiting and diarrhea. If left untreated, the victim suffers from brain damage or death.
Symptoms of Hypovolemic Shock
Headache
Chest pain
Dizziness
Nausea
Pale skin
Shallow breathing
Confusion
Blue lips
Blue fingernails
Blood in urine
Blood in the stool
Abdominal swelling
Vomiting blood
Treatment of Hypovolemic Shock:
The first thing to do when Hypovolemic shock occurs is to call for medical emergency assistance as soon as possible. Make sure the victim is lying down with their feet elevated. Use a tourniquet to prevent additional blood loss.
Once the victim arrives at the emergency room, they will need a blood transfusion and medication to assist the heart in pumping blood to all organs. The medical team will try to get as much oxygen as possible to all parts of the body; Stop, or at least control, blood loss; Replace blood and other fluids. In most cases where the victim loses more than 30% of their blood volume, they will need a blood transfusion. Some will need surgery, especially if they have internal or gynecological bleeding.
Are the symptoms of different shocks easily distinguishable in early stages?
No, symptoms of different types of shock often appear similar in early stages, requiring further medical evaluation for accurate differentiation. For example, symptoms like low blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, and confusion occur across various shock types. Distinguishing them often requires additional diagnostic tools and tests.
Does the risk of shock increase with age or pre-existing conditions?
Yes, the risk of shock increases with age and pre-existing conditions. Research shows that older adults have a higher incidence of shock due to decreased physiological reserve and chronic diseases. For instance, elderly individuals are more likely to experience shock complications, with a significant increase in incidence reported among those with heart disease or diabetes.
A study published in Critical Care Medicine found that elderly patients with chronic illnesses have higher mortality rates due to shock compared to younger patients without such conditions
Are there long-term effects after surviving any type of shock?
Yes, survivors of shock experience long-term effects. For example, organ dysfunction is a common long-term effect, with up to 50% of survivors experiencing chronic organ problems. Cognitive deficits, such as memory problems, and psychological effects like PTSD are reported. According to NIH, long-term survival involves ongoing treatment for these complications. Research indicates that about 30% of shock survivors have persistent cognitive impairment, while psychological effects such as PTSD are reported in approximately 20% of survivors
Can immediate first aid always prevent complications from shock?
No, while immediate first aid is crucial and helps reduce complications, it does not guarantee complete prevention of complications. Studies show that despite prompt first aid, up to 25% of patients who receive first aid for shock still face severe complications or require advanced medical treatment.
A Basic Overview of Shock for EMS:
First aid shock is the body's response to a sudden drop in blood pressure . As a result, it reduces the flow of oxygen and nutrients to a person's vital organs such as their brain, heart, and lungs. Many things affect the severity and effect of shocks, such as health, age, gender, and personality. Some of the first aid shock causes include uncontrolled bleeding, severe burns , and spinal injury. Common symptoms are clammy skin, rapid weak pulse, and dizziness.
At first, the body responds to this life-threatening situation by narrowing blood vessels in the hands and feet, called vasoconstriction. It helps conserve the flow of blood to the vital organs. But the body releases the hormone adrenaline, which changes the body's initial response. When this happens, the blood pressure drops, which is fatal. If shock is suspected, call 911 or get to an emergency department immediately. If not treated, shock results in serious tissue damage, organ failure, or even the patient's death.
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Sources:
National Institutes of Health (NIH) - Long-Term Effects of Shock
Mayo Clinic - Shock First Aid
Research published in Emergency Medicine Journal about Shock
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