First Aid treatment of Shock.

Circulatory shock also known as “shock” is a life threatening condition that occurs when the circulatory system, which distributes oxygen to the body tissues and removes waste products, fails and as a result, vital organs such as the heart and brain are deprived of oxygen. It requires immediate emergency treatment to prevent permanent organ damage and death.

Shock can be made worse by fear and pain. Whenever there is a risk of shock developing, reassuring the casualty and making him comfortable may be sufficient to prevent him from deteriorating.

Types of shock

Shock is a common end point of many medical conditions. It has been divided into four main types based on the underlying cause:

•  Hypovolemic
• Distributive
• cardiogenic and
• obstructive

 A few additional classifications are occasionally used including: endocrinologic shock.

Causes of shock

The most common cause of shock is severe blood loss. If this exceeds 1.2litres (2 pints), which is about one-fifth of the normal blood volume, shock will occur. This degree of blood loss may result from wounds.

It may also be caused by hidden bleeding from internal organs, blood escaping into a body cavity, or bleeding from damaged blood vessels which may be due to a closed fracture.

Loss of other body fluid may also result in shock. Conditions that can cause heavy fluid loss include:

•  diarrhea
• vomiting 
•  blockage in the intestine and 
•  Severe burns.

In addition, shock may occur when there is adequate blood volume but the heart is unable to pump the blood. This problem can be due to severe heart disease, heart attack, or acute heart failure. Other causes of shock include; overwhelming infection, lack of certain hormones, low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia), hypothermia, severe allergic reaction (anaphylactic shock), drug overdose and spinal cord injury.

Signs and symptoms / how to recognize shock. 

Initially:

•   A rapid pulse 
•   Cold, pale, sweating and clamming skin.

As shock develops:

•  Grey-blue skin (cyanosis), especially inside the lips. A fingernail or ear lobe, if pressed, will not regain its colour immediately.
• weakness and dizziness
• Nausea and possibly vomiting.
• Thirst
• Rapid shallow breathing.
• A weak, “thready” pulse. When the pulse at the wrist disappears, about half of the blood volume will have been lost.

As the brain’s oxygen supply weakens:

•   Restlessness and aggressiveness.

• Yawning and gasping for air

• Unconsciousness.

Aims of First Aid treatment of shock.

The aims of immediate first aid treatment of a casualty in shock include;

1. To recognise shock.
2. To treat any obvious cause of shock.
3. to improve the blood supply to vital organs (the brain, heart and lungs).
4. to arrange urgent transportation to the hospital

First Aid treatment of Shock.

 the diagram above shows a casualty being treated for shock.

1.  Treat any possible cause of shock that you can detect such as severe bleeding or serious burns.
2. lay the casualty down on a blanket to insulate her from the cold ground. constantly reassure the casualty.
3. Raise and support the casualty's leg to improve the blood supply to the vital organs. Be very careful if you suspect a fracture.
4. loosen tight clothing at the neck, chest and waist to reduce constriction in these areas.
5. keep the casualty warm by covering her body and legs with coats or blankets.
6. Arrange for immediate transportation to the hospital.
7. monitor and record vital signs- level of response, pulse and breathing.

 If the person becomes unconscious, open the airway and check breathing;be prepared to give rescue breaths and chest compression if necessary.