Mostly after an accident or similar severe stress on body and mind, circulatory shock can develop abruptly. Like allergic shock (anaphylactic shock), circulatory shock is a life-threatening condition.
Causes
The elderly and people with vascular disease, as well as young women and pregnant women, are particularly at risk for circulatory shock (heat stroke) during heat waves in the summer months. As already mentioned, circulatory shock mostly occurs in connection with a traffic accident or other type of accident. The cause is that in circulatory shock, the brain and organs need more oxygen than can be carried by the blood. In this case, the body tries to stimulate the cardiovascular system by increasing the production of adrenaline. In addition, almost all blood vessels of the organs are contracted. If the circulatory shock lasts longer, the blood becomes acidic, thickens, forms clots and can hardly release carbon dioxide. This then leads to the shutdown of individual organs. As a result, blood pressure dropped sharply and the brain is no longer supplied with sufficient oxygen by the blood. Typical accompanying symptoms of circulatory shock include a weak pulse, a pale face (facial pallor), cold skin, freezing, cold sweat, restlessness and a complete physical collapse. Elderly people and people with vascular diseases, as well as young women and pregnant women, are particularly at risk of circulatory shock (heat stroke) during the summer months due to heat waves. However, circulatory shocks can also be associated with diseases such as cholera, pulmonary embolism, and others.
Diseases with this symptom
- Pulmonary embolism
- Circulatory disorders
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Cholera
- Insect venom allergy
- Intestinal obstruction (ileus)
- Arterial occlusive disease
- Hives
- Peritonitis
Complications
In the acute state of circulatory shock, the body is characterized by restlessness and rapid breathing, as well as shortness of breath, due to inadequate oxygen supply to the tissues. Since this is a medical emergency, circulatory shock should be treated as soon as possible, as dizziness and loss of consciousness may occur. There is also a risk of failure in multiple organs. This can lead to death in the worst case. Damage to the kidneys is one of the first complications to manifest in circulatory shock, as the kidneys need to be constantly well supplied with blood. A lack of blood supply rapidly takes on permanent damage. Affected individuals do not excrete urine during circulatory shock. In addition to the kidneys, the lungs can also be affected by circulatory shock and ARDS (adult respiratory distress syndrome) develops, i.e. acute failure of the lungs, which can result in acute left heart failure. Normal soft and muscle tissues are also affected by the lack of oxygen due to circulatory shock. Due to the lack of oxygen, these tissues can die, necrosis and gangrene form, which is also characterized by shrinkage and drying of the tissue, as well as a blackish color. The danger here is also that the gangrene becomes infected with putrefactive bacteria and the tissue rots.
When should you see a doctor?
Circulatory shock is a symptom and not a disease in its own right, so the cause of this symptom must be found first. In general, affected individuals who suffer from significant circulatory problems should definitely see a doctor. Only in this way can the cause of this clinical picture be found and treated accordingly. In most cases, insufficient fluid intake is responsible for circulatory problems. For this reason, affected persons should drink enough to avoid future complaints at an early stage. It is not uncommon for persons with infection to also suffer from significant circulatory complaints. At the same time, other complaints such as fever, vomiting, chills or even prolonged nausea often occur. Anyone who wants to avoid the symptoms just mentioned at an early stage should definitely consult an appropriate doctor. A doctor can find the cause of the permanent circulatory complaints.Those who also want to detect serious and severe illnesses early and have them treated should also not wait too long to visit their doctor. The earlier a serious illness is detected, the better the chances of a quick and complete recovery.
Treatment and therapy
Because circulatory shock is a life-threatening condition, it must be treated immediately by a physician. Alerting an emergency physician should be initiated at the slightest suspicion of circulatory shock. Once the physician arrives, he or she will artificially ventilate the patient with oxygen. Circulatory stimulating injections and infusions are usually necessary as well. Blood pressure and heartbeat, as well as heart rate, are constantly monitored with the help of the ECG. Most likely, further treatment in the hospital is necessary and will be initiated by the emergency physician. In the case of circulatory shock associated with heat stroke, the body needs immediate cooling. Wet towels on the neck, forehead and legs are best for this. Antipyretic drugs are not recommended. The patient should stay only in the shade.
Outlook and prognosis
Circulatory shock always represents a life-threatening condition and should therefore be treated immediately by a physician. If treatment is not given or is given too late, death may result in the worst case scenario. Circulatory shock has a very negative effect on the circulation and on the function of the heart, as it is no longer supplied with sufficient blood. The brain also suffers from circulatory shock because it is supplied with too little oxygen. If treatment is not given quickly enough, permanent damage can occur, severely affecting memory and thinking function. The patient must be kept warm in any case so that the body does not cool down to a life-threatening level. Treatment is then usually the responsibility of the emergency physician. The affected person is supplied with oxygen and given drugs to restore normal blood pressure. If the circulatory shock is caused by a malfunction of the heart, the heart must be treated immediately. Without treatment, another circulatory shock may occur, which can be extremely threatening if the vessels are too dilated. In some cases, surgical treatment is also necessary to address the causes of circulatory shock.
Prevention
Circulatory shock, in the form of heat stroke, can be prevented, especially in summer, with cooling and shady places. Wearing suitable summer clothing and a cap or hat can also protect against heat stroke. Furthermore, you should not overexert yourself physically, especially in summer.
This is what you can do yourself
Circulatory shock is a life-threatening condition for the body. This condition must be treated immediately by a doctor. Therefore, if a patient experiences circulatory shock, the emergency physician must be called immediately. Until the emergency physician arrives, the patient should be artificially ventilated if breathing is not functioning. This involves mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. The nose of the affected person must be closed so that the air cannot simply escape again. Ventilation is continued until the emergency physician arrives. Circulatory shock can usually be prevented by a healthy lifestyle. This includes a healthy diet and exercise. To prevent circulatory shock, people should drink enough water on hot summer days and stay only in cool places. Above all, the head should be cooled and protected from the sun with the help of a cap. Heavy physical exertion should generally be avoided in summer. Treatment leads to success in most cases, if it is carried out in time. After circulatory shock, the affected person must first rest and relax.
