Shock - Symptoms - Better Medicine

What are the symptoms of shock?

There are many symptoms of shock, and they may appear in any combination.

Common symptoms of shock

You may experience any or all of these common symptoms of shock, any of which can at times be severe:

Bluish coloration of the lips or fingernails
Chest pain or pressure
Confusion or loss of consciousness for even a brief moment
Dizziness
Fainting or change in level of consciousness or lethargy
Not producing any urine or decreased urine output
Pale skin or pallor
Profuse sweating
Rapid heart rate (tachycardia) or weak heart rate
Rapid, shallow breathing

Serious symptoms that might indicate a life-threatening condition

In some cases, shock can be life threatening. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you, or someone you are with, have any of these life-threatening symptoms:

Altered mental status
Bluish coloration of the lips or fingernails
Chest pain or pressure
High fever (higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit)
Loss of consciousness
Profuse sweating
Rapid heart rate (tachycardia)
Severe abdominal pain
Severe difficulty breathing
Uncontrollable bleeding

INTRODUCTION

What is shock?

Shock is a condition that affects the body’s major organs and occurs when the body does not receive an adequate flow of blood. There are multiple causes for shock, including heart disorders, severe dehydration, trauma, and infection. Shock is commonly caused by serious trauma that includes internal or external bleeding.... Read more about shock introduction

CAUSES

What causes shock?

Shock develops as a result of diminished flow of blood to the body’s vital organs. The most common type of shock is referred to as hypovolemic, or low-volume, shock, a direct result of diminished blood flow. Traumatic injury can often result in shock when internal or external bleeding decreases the amount of blood in the body. The body responds to low blood volume by increasing the heart rate to deliver oxygen to the tissues. Unless this response is identified quickly and reversed through medical intervention, shock may result as the body reduces blood flow to the periphery in order to... Read more about shock causes

TREATMENTS

How is shock treated?

Shock is a potentially life-threatening condition that should be evaluated in an emergency department. If you believe that you, or someone you are with, may be in or approaching shock, it is critical to seek immediate medical care by calling 911.... Read more about shock treatments