Shock: recognize forms of shock and act appropriately

In the event of a shock, the body switches to its emergency program: the heart rate increases and blood pressure drops. The body directs the leftover blood to the most important organs. Limbs, skin and muscles are hardly supplied with blood. The most common cause of shock in children is heavy blood loss, for example from head injuries , nosebleeds or animal bites .

However, since there are very different forms of shock and each type of shock has to be treated differently, we list the most common variants here.

Anaphylactic shock

Anaphylactic shock is an allergic reaction that is triggered by contact with an allergen – often just a few minutes later. If it is very severe, it is also referred to as an allergic shock. Here, too, you should always remember that anaphylactic shock is also life-threatening, since the body’s acute reaction can have serious long-term consequences: circulatory arrest, organ failure or shortness of breath can occur.

What can trigger an anaphylactic shock?

The most common triggers are food. For example peanuts, eggs, celery or seafood. Insect bites are in second place and medication is in third place. Therefore, if you or your children have ever had such an extreme reaction to a certain food or, for example, a bee sting, there is a risk of an allergy – which of course means that this allergen should be avoided permanently.

Symptoms of anaphylactic shock

Since anaphylactic shock can be fatal, it is very important to recognize the symptoms of this form of shock and to react quickly. The first symptoms include, for example, nausea or tingling in the feet and hands. However, such shock symptoms occur completely randomly: in some, an anaphylactic shock only triggers skin reactions, while others affected collapse within a very short time. Caution: Rapid onset of shock symptoms often indicate a particularly severe anaphylactic shock.

You can find all the exact identifying features and more information about this type of shock here in our article “Anaphylactic shock”.

First aid measures in anaphylactic shock

• First of all remove the allergen!
• If available, have medication ready and use for emergencies, such as adrenaline auto-injectors, antihistamines or cortisone preparations
• If you are short of breath, sit upright
• Remove uncomfortable tight clothing
• Shock position: That is, the person lies flat and their legs are elevated
• If person becomes unconscious, place in recovery position
• Check the person’s pulse and breathing frequently
• If there is no improvement: call an ambulance or go to a hospital quickly yourself

Septic shock

Septic shock is the result of blood poisoning, also known as sepsis. In such a case, a pathogen has entered the bloodstream that the immune system was not able to fight off adequately. Septic shock caused by blood poisoning leads to death in 60 percent of cases. This is mainly due to the rapid drop in blood pressure, in which the heart is no longer able to fill the greatly dilated blood vessels with blood. This can lead to an undersupply of the vital organs.

Treatment of septic shock

Septic shock requires intensive medical care. The following actions are taken:

• The infectious agent is removed
• artificial respiration
• Blood pressure is stabilized by vasoconstricting medicine

Who is at risk?

The high death rate from septic shock can be explained primarily by the fact that the immune system of many patients is already severely weakened and is therefore unable to do enough work to defend itself. The following groups of people are therefore particularly at risk:

• people suffering from diabetes
• People with diseases of the urinary or genital tract
• people with HIV
• People who have recently had surgery
• Blood Cancer Patients
• Very young or very old people

cardiogenic shock

Cardiogenic shock is caused by heart failure. The heart is no longer able to pump enough blood to the body. Possible causes of cardiogenic shock can be, for example, a heart attack, heart valve disease, bleeding in the pericardium or a pulmonary embolism – because in such cases the heart lacks the necessary capacity to supply the body with sufficient blood.

Symptoms of cardiogenic shock

If too little blood is pumped into the system, the affected person goes into shock. In addition to the general shock symptoms such as very low blood pressure, paleness or chills, you can tell whether your child or another person is affected, especially from characteristics such as chest pain, congested veins in the neck or shortness of breath.

Management of cardiogenic shock

If the symptoms apply to your child or a person around you, you should call the emergency doctor immediately – because this type of shock is an extremely life-threatening situation. In order to help on site, the victim’s upper body should be elevated so that the person can breathe well. Regular inhaling and exhaling can also help to strengthen circulation and keep calm.

Hypovolemic shock or volume depletion shock

Hypovolemic shock, also known as volume depletion shock, is caused by extremely severe fluid loss. Such a lack of liquid can be caused, for example, by very strong external, but also internal bleeding, and thus by heavy blood loss. In this case, it is also referred to as a hemorrhagic shock .

However, hypovolemic shock can also be triggered by dehydration. For example, in the event of severe vomiting, extreme diarrhea or severe burns. A distinction is made between three stages:

1. Stage: The skin becomes pale and cool, but the blood pressure is still normal
2. Stage: The pulse increases to more than 100 beats/minute, now the blood pressure begins to fall
3. Stage: The pulse becomes so weak that it can hardly be felt, the blood pressure continues to fall sharply. Disorders of consciousness can now occur, as well as rapid and shallow breathing or urinary retention

Symptoms of hypovolemic shock

Symptoms of volume depletion shock include, for example, paleness, tremors, restlessness and anxiety, chills or sweating. If the shock is already advanced, see stage 3, your child or the affected person can also become unconscious or apathetic. You can also watch out for these symptoms in your child, which are already a clear indication of dehydration:

• Mouth and lips are dry
• Eyes appear large and set deep
• the diaper stays dry for several hours
• the fontanelle has collapsed (visible dimples above the forehead)
• Dry connective tissue: If you pull up a skin fold, it stays

Treatment of volume depletion shock: the shock situation

In the event of a volume-deficiency shock, the shock position should be carried out: your child/person lies on their back with their legs elevated. Depending on where you are, you can use your satchel, several pillows or a box. In the state of shock, the blood can flow from the legs to the important organs and to the brain and these are better supplied with blood again. However, the shock position differs very clearly from the stable lateral position, which is only used in the case of unconsciousness.

Toxic shock

Toxic shock is a rather rare form of shock, but it can be life-threatening and affects women in particular. This leads to an inflammatory reaction in the body, which was triggered by invading bacteria. These bacteria multiply in the body at an unusual rate and secrete toxic substances called toxins. Toxic shock is very often triggered by wearing tampons for too long – or by poor hygiene during your period.

How you can avoid such a shock reaction, which symptoms are associated with it and how you should react in an emergency, we have summarized here in our article “Toxic shock syndrome: what you should know about it”  .

General measures for shock

warmth

In addition to the shock location, the heat factor is also incredibly important. So if your child is lying on a hard surface (e.g. on a street after an accident), you should put something soft under their head (e.g. a jacket) and cover them well. Anything that warms is suitable: blankets and clothing, everything that is within reach. In car first aid kits you will also find a gold and silver rescue blanket, which is specially designed to keep accident victims warm.

show affection

It is also important not to leave your child or the person concerned alone. Reassure him and hold his hand, make him feel like he doesn’t need to be scared. Until the emergency services arrive, this company is absolutely necessary!