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Shock
URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/shock.html

Shock

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Summary

Shock happens when not enough blood and oxygen can get to your organs and tissues. It causes very low blood pressure and may be life-threatening. It often happens along with a serious injury.

There are several kinds of shock. Hypovolemic shock happens when you lose a lot of blood or fluids. Causes include internal or external bleeding, dehydration, burns, and severe vomiting and/or diarrhea. Septic shock is caused by infections in the bloodstream. A severe allergic reaction can cause anaphylactic shock. An insect bite or sting might cause it. Cardiogenic shock happens when the heart cannot pump blood effectively. This may happen after a heart attack. Neurogenic shock is caused by damage to the nervous system.

Symptoms of shock include:

  • Confusion or lack of alertness
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Sudden and ongoing rapid heartbeat
  • Sweating
  • Pale skin
  • A weak pulse
  • Rapid breathing
  • Decreased or no urine output
  • Cool hands and feet

Shock is a life-threatening medical emergency and it is important to get help right away. Treatment of shock depends on the cause.

NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Diagnosis and Tests

  • Lactate Test From the National Institutes of Health (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
  • Procalcitonin Test From the National Institutes of Health (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish

Treatments and Therapies

  • Anaphylaxis: First Aid (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
  • Shock (American College of Emergency Physicians)
  • Shock: First Aid (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish

Related Issues

  • Anaphylaxis-Like Reactions (National Jewish Health)
  • Toxic Shock Syndrome (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)

Specifics

  • Anaphylaxis (American Academy of Family Physicians) Also in Spanish
  • Sepsis (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
  • What Is Cardiogenic Shock? From the National Institutes of Health (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute) Also in Spanish

Clinical Trials

  • ClinicalTrials.gov: Shock From the National Institutes of Health (National Institutes of Health)
  • ClinicalTrials.gov: Shock, Septic From the National Institutes of Health (National Institutes of Health)

Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

  • Article: Role of Ischemia/Reperfusion and Oxidative Stress in Shock State.
  • Article: Anti-DAMP therapies for acute inflammation.
  • Article: Clinical value of calibrated abdominal compression plus transthoracic echocardiography to predict...
  • Shock -- see more articles

Find an Expert

  • American College of Emergency Physicians

Children

  • Anaphylaxis in Infants and Children (American Academy of Pediatrics) Also in Spanish

Teenagers

  • Serious Allergic Reactions (Anaphylaxis) (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
  • Toxic Shock Syndrome (For Teens) (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish

Patient Handouts

  • Anaphylaxis (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
  • Cardiogenic shock (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
  • Hypovolemic shock (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
  • Septic shock (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
  • Shock (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish

Topic Image

Shock

MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA

  • Anaphylaxis
  • Cardiogenic shock
  • Hypovolemic shock
  • Septic shock
  • Shock

Related Health Topics

  • Anaphylaxis
  • Low Blood Pressure

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The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.

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