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Treatment For Shock: 10 First Aid Information You Need To Know

Shock is a life-threatening medical emergency, and you should seek medical treatment for shock immediately. One of the main symptoms is low blood pressure. You may also feel faint or weak, have a weak or rapid pulse, cold and clammy skin, or shallow, rapid breathing. 

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What Is Shock?
What Are the Different Types of Shock? 
Is There a Need to Seek Medical Treatment for Shock?
Shock | Everything You Need to Know 
Basic First Aid
Conclusion

Treatment will depend on the cause of the shock being experienced. Tests will be run to determine the cause, IV fluids are usually given, as well as medication to raise blood pressure.

What Is Shock?

Dizzy Man

Shock will occur when there is an inefficient flow of fluids through the body which is life-threatening. It is often the result of an illness or severe injury. Types of shock include emotional or psychological shock and medical shock.

Emotional or Psychological Shock

Medical Shock

What Are the Different Types of Shock? 

Neurogenic Shock

Hypovolemic Shock

Cardiogenic Shock

Anaphylactic Shock

Septic Shock

Is There a Need to Seek Medical Treatment for Shock?

If you suspect a person is in shock after an injury immediately call 911 or take them to an emergency center as soon as possible. You can save a person’s life by getting them medical attention immediately. When treatment for shock is done quickly, there is less chance of damage to vital organs. The sooner treatment for shock is done, the better.

Treatment

Treatment will be different depending on the type of shock. Generally, administering large amounts of fluids is done to raise the blood pressure (fluid resuscitation) with an IV. This is done either in the emergency room or the ambulance and is the first-line treatment for shock for all types. The doctor will then add medications to the fluids to ensure blood is flowing to vital organs and to raise blood pressure. Tests will be done such as EKGs, blood tests, and X-rays to determine the cause of shock and to see if the cause is an underlying illness.

Call 911

  • Call 911 immediately if you suspect someone is in shock
  • Don’t hesitate to see if the symptoms get worse before seeking assistance
  • Stay with the person until help comes and stay on 911 to listen to further instructions
  • Turn the person on their side if they are bleeding from their mouth or vomiting
  • Don’t raise their head
  • Elevate their feet approximately 12 inches above their head; if their back, neck, or head is injured or if you think they have a broken leg or hip bones, then don’t do this

Start CPR if needed

  • If the person isn’t breathing or their breath is weak, start CPR for children or adult CPR; continue until the person is breathing or help arrives
  • If on the way to the emergency room or waiting for help, check the person’s airway, breathing, and circulation
  • If they are breathing on their own, check their breath every 2 minutes until medical assistance arrives

Treat Injuries

  • Apply pressure to wounds that are severely bleeding
  • Administer first aid for injuries

Keep the Person Warm and Comfortable

  • Loosen tight clothing
  • Cover with a blanket or a coat
  • Keep them still and don’t move them unless they are in danger
  • Keep them calm and reassured
  • Don’t give fluids even if the person says they are thirsty as they may choke if they suddenly lose consciousness

Shock | Everything You Need to Know 

Shock Patient

Causes

There can be several reasons for shock to occur that include the following:

  • Constant diarrhea or vomiting
  • Burns
  • Spinal or neurologic shock
  • Severe anaphylactic or allergic reaction
  • Infection, or septic shock
  • Dehydration from heat illness
  • Heavy external or internal bleeding from a blood vessel or a serious injury
  • Heart conditions such as heart failure or a heart attack

Symptoms

Rapid heart rate, or tachycardia, and low blood pressure are the main symptoms of shock. The symptoms include the following:

  • Weakness
  • Fainting or dizziness
  • Weak, rapid pulse
  • Clammy, cold skin
  • Shallow, rapid breathing

Depending on what type of shock you are experiencing, the following symptoms can be seen:

  • Chest pain
  • Sweating
  • Bluish fingernails and lips
  • No urine or low amounts
  • Unresponsiveness or confusion
  • Seizures
  • Agitation or anxiety
  • Eyes that appear to be staring

Prevention

If you know you have an allergy to something, carry an Epi-pen with you at all times which you can obtain from your doctor with a prescription. Avoid things that cause you to have an allergic reaction. Learn how you can prevent shock by preventing dehydration, injury, and heart disease.

Basic First Aid

White Cross

You can perform these while waiting for paramedics to arrive.

Cardiac Arrest

CPR

CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is the most important thing to do in the treatment for shock. If a person’s heart has stopped pumping blood and CPR is not done, they will die. Using an AED, or an automated external defibrillator, or CPR may save their life. It’s best to take a CPR course at a fire department, Red Cross center, community college, or a medical center to learn this procedure. AEDs are available in many businesses and public areas. They don’t require training to use. CPR training will review how to use this device. American Red Cross and American Heart Association recommend doing the following:

  • Calling 911
  • Starting chest compressions fast and hard in the center of the chest, allow recoil between compressions, and turn over to medical personnel when they arrive
  • If you have been trained, use rescue breathing and chest compressions
  • Use an AED if there is one available, but don’t delay chest compressions

Bleeding

Bleeding Arm

Most bleeding will stop on its own, but if it is severe, it could lead to shock or death. Take these steps to control bleeding:

  • Cover the wound with either cloth or gauze and apply direct pressure to stop blood flow; don’t remove the cloth and add more if needed as it will help to form clots
  • Don’t apply a tourniquet as it may damage the limb

Bee Stings

These can be painful and deadly if you are allergic. Use these tips while waiting for assistance:

  • Remove the stinger to prevent further venom from being delivered
  • If you know the person is allergic, use an Epi-pen or call 911 if you don’t have one
  • Use an ice pack to reduce swelling
  • Take an antihistamine such as Benadryl to reduce itching and swelling
  • Tylenol or ibuprofen are good for pain relief
  • Monitor the person for signs of anaphylaxis that include itching, redness, hives, and shortness of breath

Conclusion

Checking Up Woman

Seeking prompt treatment for shock is required for the best results. Your results will depend on how fast your treatment for shock was applied, your recovery, your overall health, and the reason for the shock. Spinal shock is the most difficult to treat, as the spinal cord is responsible for many of the body’s important functions. There are few effective treatments but research is making progress in the treatment of these injuries.Cardiogenic shock has a survival rate of 33% because it is the result of dysfunction or injury to the heart. This makes it difficult to treat and recover from. Septic shock has a mortality rate of 24-50%. The faster the infection is treated, the great chance of success. Hospitals are now using specific treatments to identify septic shock and treat them aggressively. Hypovolemic and anaphylactic shock respond well to early medical treatment.

We hope this article has shed light on what shock is and the proper treatment of shock. Remember, if you suspect that you or someone else may be experiencing shock, do not delay – follow this guideline, and seek help immediately.

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