Shock is an emergency condition. It occurs when the circulation system fails to send blood to all parts of the body. With shock, areas of the body are deprived of oxygen because blood flow or blood volume is too low to meet the body's needs. The result is damage to parts of the body such as the limbs, lungs, heart, and brain.
Some causes for shock are:
Heart attack
Severe or sudden blood loss from an injury
or serious illness
Large drop in body fluids, such as
following a severe burn or severe vomiting and/or diarrhea
Blood poisoning from major infections
Exposure to extreme heat or cold for too
long
Other things that lead to shock are:
Fractures of a large bone
A severe allergic reaction
Very low blood sugar such as occurs with
diabetes (insulin shock)
Excessive drinking of alcohol
Drug overdose
Signs and Symptoms
Weakness, trembling
Restlessness, confusion
Pale or blue-colored lips, skin, and/or
fingernails
Cool and moist skin
Weak but fast pulse
Rapid, shallow breathing
Nausea, vomiting
Enlarged pupils
Extreme thirst
Loss of consciousness
| Is the person not breathing and has no pulse? {Note: See CPR.}  |
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| Is the person not breathing, but does have a pulse? {Note: See Airway and Breathing.} |
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Is the person? Bleeding Suffering from an injury Having a hard time breathing{Note: See First Aid for Major Bleeding under "Cuts, Scrapes, & Punctures". Also, see other injury topics such as Head Injuries, Broken Bones, Cuts, Scrapes, & Punctures, etc.} |
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| Is the person unconscious? {Note: See Unconsciousness.} |
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| Does the person show any of these signs of shock? Weakness, confusion Pale or blue-colored lips, skin and/or
fingernails Cool and moist skin Weak but fast pulse Rapid, shallow breathing Nausea, vomiting Enlarged pupils Extreme thirst {Note: See First Aid for Shock Until Emergency Care Arrives under Self-Care Tips below.} |
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First Aid for Shock Until Emergency Care Arrives:
Lay the person down,
face up.
Elevate the feet
about 1 foot with a box or rolled blankets. This causes blood to flow from the legs to the
head and vital organs in the body. {Note: Do not raise the feet or
lower the head if you suspect the person has a head, neck, back, or leg injury.}
Do not raise feet or move legs if hip or
leg bones are broken. Keep the victim lying flat.
Loosen tight clothing. Then cover the
person with a coat or blanket to prevent heat loss. If necessary, lie down next to and hug
the person to share your body heat until help arrives. Place insulation between the person
and the ground. {Note: Do not use hot-water bottles or electric
blankets to try to warm the person.}
Monitor for breathing and pulse every so
often.
Do not give any food or liquids. If the
person asks for water, moisten the lips, but do not allow him or her to drink any fluids.
Reassure the person. Make him or her as
comfortable as you can.
If the person vomits, roll him or her on
the side so the vomit does not back up into the windpipe and lungs.
HEALTH AT HOME - Your Complete Guide to Symptoms, Solutions, and Self-Care © 1999 by Don R. Powell. American Institute for Preventive Medicine.
Date updated 02/01/99