Shock: First Aid To An Emergency That Can Lead To Organ Failure Or Death
Shock is a medical condition that most of the times warrants emergency first aid assistance. There are different causes or reasons for a person to experience shock. Those can be trauma, heatstroke, blood loss, an allergic reaction, severe infection, poisoning, severe burns or other causes.
The extent to which a person’s body gets affected depends on the circumstance and the kind of trauma. But medically, when a person experiences shock then the consequence is that not enough amount of blood and/or oxygen is reaching and being received by his or her organs. Thus it makes it extremely important to provide timely medical care or first aid. As if it goes untreated and unchecked then it can lead to serious complications like organ failure or even death.
First aid steps to follow when a person is in shock:
- Make the patient lie down
- Elevate the legs, only if the patient is comfortable and the legs are not hurt or paining, else keep them flat straight in line with the body.
- Loosen any tight clothes, jewellery, or belts
- Cover the patient with a blanket or thick cloth to keep the warmth intact.
- Do not give water orally even if patient feels thirsty as it may lead to chances of choking
- If the patient is vomiting or bleeding from the mouth, then turn the patient on the side and DO NOT let them lie on their back, to prevent choking
- Check for any bleeding wounds and if any, then apply pressure on them using a clean towel or a cloth.
- If the patient is not breathing, then perform CPR.
Signs and symptoms of shock are:
- Cool, clammy skin
- Pale or ashen skin
- Rapid pulse
- Rapid breathing
- Nausea or vomiting
- Enlarged pupils
- Weakness or fatigue
- Dizziness or fainting
- Changes in mental status
- Behavioural changes such as anxiousness or agitation
Important – Immediately contact the nearest hospital and seek medical help if the condition is life threatening.
Please Note – This tutorial does not substitute a formal training in Basic Life Saving Procedures or First Aid Procedures given by a licensed practitioner.
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