Shock

It is the condition in which the circulatory system fails to circulate oxygen-rich blood to all parts of the body. When vital organs do not get oxygen rich blood, they fail to function properly. This triggers a series of responses that produce specific signals which is known as shock. These responses are the bodys attempt to maintain ade uate blood flow to the vital organs, preventing their failure. When the body is healthy, three conditions are needed to maintain ade uate blood flow ! ". The heart must be working well. #. $n ade uate amount of oxygen rich blood must circulate in the body. %. The blood vessels must be intact and able to ad&ust blood flow.

What causes shock ?

The heart ad&usts its speed and the force of its contractions to meet the bodys demand for oxygen. 'or example when exercising the heart beats faster and more forcefully because the working muscles demand more oxygen. (imilarly, when someone suffers a severe in&ury or sudden illness that affects the flow of blood, the heart beats faster and stronger at first, to ad&ust to the increased demand for more oxygen. )ecause the heart is beating faster, breathing must also speed up to meet the increased demand of the body for oxygen. 'or the heart to do its &ob properly, an ade uate amount of blood must circulate within the body *blood volume+. This volume may be reduced due to blood loss, fluid loss from the body, even with diarrhea or vomiting. When shock occurs, the body attempts to prioritize its need for blood by ensuring ade uate flow to the vital organs such heart, brain, lungs and kidneys. The body does this by reducing the amount of blood circulating to the less important tissues of the arms, leg and skin. That is why the skin of a person in shock is pale and he feels cool. In later stages, the skin especially lips and around the eyes may appear blue. Increased sweating is also a natural reaction to stress caused by in&ury or illness. This makes skin feels moist.

Signals of Shock
". ,estlessness or irritability. #. ,apid and weak pulse.

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,apid breathing. .ale or bluish, cool moist skin. 0xcessive thirst. 2ausea vomiting. 4rowsiness or loss of consciousness.

Care for the Shock

'irst do the primary survey by checking the $)5s. ,escue breathing if re uired, this will minimi6e the effects of shock. 7elp the person maintain body temperature. 5ontrol external bleeding if any to minimi6e blood loss. 0levate legs about "# inches to keep blood circulating to the vital organs unless you suspect head, neck, back in&ury or possible broken bones involving hips or legs. If you are not sure of the victims condition then leave him or her lying flat. 4o not give the victim anything to eat or drink, even though he or she is likely to be thirsty. The victims condition may be severe enough to re uire surgery, in which case it is better that the stomach be empty. 5all 08( immediately because the victim may re uire advance life support as soon as possible.

(ummary
4o not wait for shock to develop before providing care to a victim of in&ury or sudden illness. ,emember that the shock is an inevitable factor in serious in&uries and illnesses, particularly if there is blood loss or if the normal function of the heart is interrupted. With serious in&uries or illnesses, shock is often the final stage before death. 9ou cannot stop shock by administering first aid but you can slow its progression.

$pplication :uestions
Q.1. Why does the body s need for o!ygen increases "ith in#ury or illness? $ns. The bodys need for oxygen increases with in&ury or illness because the body uses more energy in attempting to compensate for the effects of in&ury or illness while performing normal body functions.

Q.%. &o" can damage to nervous system affects the blood vessel s ability to function? $ns. )lood vessels function depends on the vessels receiving accurate instructions from the nervous system. $ny time there is damage to the nervous system *brain, spinal cord, and nerves+ the transmission of impulses to the blood vessels may be impaired or completely cut off. Without ade uate instructions, the blood vessels ability to function effectively, specifically to change si6e, is greatly reduced.

Q.'. Why is s"eating a natural reaction to stress from in#ury or illness? $ns. $s activity within the body increases to compensate for in&ury or illness, body temperature rises. $nd the body strives to maintain constant temperature. $ny rise in body temperature results in an attempt to cool the body, as in sweating.

Q.(. )no"ing that shock is the progressive failure of body systems* e!plain ho" emotional stress might affect the onset and pace of shock. $ns. Think about your bodys response when you are very angry, worried or afraid. 9our heart rate increases, you may have trouble breathing, and may sweat profusely. The degree of stress determines how severely the body is affected. 0motional stress can speed the onset of shock by placing additional demand on your body at a time when your body may be struggling to survive.

Q.+. When does shock occurs "ith the significant in#ury or illness regardless of the problem? $ns. (hock occurs with any significant illness or in&ury when the body cannot compensate for the in&ury or illness and maintain body functions.