Video - Shock

Shock refers to a failure in tissue perfusion affecting the whole body, putting tissues and organs at risk for injury and ultimately organ failure. Causes of shock are classified into three main categories with some subcategories.

First, there is hypovolemic shock which happens when dehydration or hemorrhage reduces the volume of blood in the blood vessels. Another category is cardiogenic shock, which happens when a direct injury like a heart attack or an obstruction like a pericardial effusion prevents the heart from pumping blood efficiently. The third category is distributive shock, which occurs when something like an allergic reaction or damage to the nervous system - called neurogenic shock causes the blood vessels to vasodilate and become leaky which reduces the resistance and lowers the blood pressure.

Common symptoms of shock include low blood pressure, tachycardia, cold and clammy skin, confusion and disorientation, and blue or gray skin, especially on the extremities. Shock treatment depends on the underlying cause but typically involves restoring blood flow to the vital organs through measures such as fluid resuscitation, medications, or respiratory support.