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Shock

Shock is a pathological condition that is induced by physical or psycological trauma. Symptoms include, but are not limited to, weak but fast pulse, abnormal blood pressure (normally low), change in body temperature, change in cognitive abilites, change in motoric abilities, high blood adrenalin levels.

Shock is in itself a serious situation which in extreme cases can be fatal.

I don't think it has a purpose as such; it is the alarm and regulation systems of the body going out of range in response to an unusual and extreme situation.

If you will, one of the imperfections we find in Nature, which are to be expected because we are created by evolution ;).

Hans
 
Is it not a process where blood is removed from areas of the body that are less important and moved to areas where it is likely to be urgently required? So you go pale, but there's more blood available for your vital organs.
 
MRC_Hans said:

I don't think it has a purpose as such; it is the alarm and regulation systems of the body going out of range in response to an unusual and extreme situation.

If you will, one of the imperfections we find in Nature, which are to be expected because we are created by evolution ;).

Hans
Click to expand...

Perhaps it had not much purpose way back when we were all hunting and gathering, but it serves a nice purpose now.

When I was about 11 I broke my leg badly. By the time I was in the hospital (very luckily it was about 5 mins away) I was in shock. And except for the temperature drop (it felt like I was freezing yet it was summer and I had about 5 blankets on me) I felt fine :)

Yet when I fell I was cursing up a storm because of the pain. While I was in shock I couldn't feel any pain.

So I'm not sure it's one of Nature's imperfections ;) It was sweet relief for me :D

Adam
 
slimshady2357 said:


Perhaps it had not much purpose way back when we were all hunting and gathering, but it serves a nice purpose now.

When I was about 11 I broke my leg badly. By the time I was in the hospital (very luckily it was about 5 mins away) I was in shock. And except for the temperature drop (it felt like I was freezing yet it was summer and I had about 5 blankets on me) I felt fine :)

Yet when I fell I was cursing up a storm because of the pain. While I was in shock I couldn't feel any pain.

So I'm not sure it's one of Nature's imperfections ;) It was sweet relief for me :D

Adam
Click to expand...
Sounds like some kind of adrenaline rush to me.

A combination of increased hearthbeat (from some kind of scare) with low bloodpressure (expanded arteries from the adrenaline?), meaning your blood doesn't flow around as quickly any more (which I guess would be a good thing if you had a gaping wound losing a lot of blood) and loads of adrenaline to mask the pain. It seems like a sort of natural response to massive trauma.
And in today's society, many biological responses get inadvertently triggered by psychological causes (like stress, anxiety, ...).

Ofcourse I'm neither a doctor nor a psychologist, so I'm probably completely wrong.
 
Ok, you asked for it......:D


Shock at it's most basic level is the switching from aerobic metabolism to anaerobic metabolism at the cellular level. In other words, the cells aren't getting enough oxygen. It's a chain reaction that begins with some type of event that decreases the amount of oxygen available to the body. Cells begin to build up toxins and then they die. It's all downhill from there.

The 'purpose of shock' is to protect vital organs. The bodies protective mechanism when an event happens is to shut down non essential areas of the body and move blood to the heart, brain, lungs, liver and kidneys.

The causes are many and varied. The process actually takes very little time to start occuring. The signs that most of us know are actually fairly late in the process and require immediate medical intervention.

Basic treatment is supplemental oxygen, keep them warm, elevate lower extremities (taking care not to aggravate any injuries), stop any bleeding, and call for Emergemcy Services.

Want to know more? Take a first aid class. Something everyone should do. It's 8 hours from your life that can save another life.


Boo
 
Simplist definition:

Shock - inadequate perfusion, resulting from many possible causes.

-TT
 
Boo said:
TT,
I was practicing my teaching skills;)


Boo
Click to expand...

I'll give you a little slice of my "being taught" world on a daily basis...

"Okay, Ms. Boo. What are the different types of shock?"

Have at it.

:D

-TT
 
Broad categories: Pump and Plumbing:D

Specific: Hypovolemic, Neurogenic, Cardiogenic, Anaphylaxisis, Psychogenic.

Or perhaps you were referring to Compensated, Decompensated or Irreversible?


TT,
Dude you have my heartfelt symapthies. I worked as an ER tech for 8 years at a teaching hospital. I carry a soft spot in my heart for Interns and Residents.
FYI- 3 rules for surviving nurses and techs,
1. Say Please and Thank you
2. Treat us as professional members of the team
3. We know where everything is and you don't:p


Boo
 
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