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Shock

• Overview
• Symptoms
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• Prevention

Definition:

Shock is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body is not getting enough blood flow. This can damage multiple organs. Shock requires IMMEDIATE medical treatment and can get worse very rapidly.

Considerations:

Major classes of shock include:

• Cardiogenic shock (associated with heart problems)
• Hypovolemic shock (caused by inadequate blood volume)
• Anaphylactic shock (caused by allergic reaction)
• Septic shock (associated with infections)
• Neurogenic shock (caused by damage to the nervous system)

Causes:

Shock can be caused by any condition that reduces blood flow, including:

• Heart problems (such as heart attack or heart failure )
• Low blood volume (as with heavy bleeding or dehydration )
• Changes in blood vessels (as with infection or severe allergic reactions )

Shock is often associated with heavy external or internal bleeding from a serious injury. Spinal injuries can also cause shock.

Toxic shock syndrome is an example of a type of shock from an infection.

References:

Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, eds. Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 5 ^th Ed. St. Louis, MO: Mosby; 2002.

Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Textbook of Medicine , 22 ^nd Ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders; 2004.

• Review Date: 5/15/2006
• Reviewed By: Eric Perez, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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