The treatment of shock requires immediate attention in order to save the life of the victim. It includes many different aspects.
First Aid Treatment
First aid treatment of shock includes reassuring and comforting the victim if they are conscious. It is important to find emergency medical help or send someone who is with you for help. Make sure that the breathing of the victim is not obstructed. If they are not able to breathe, position the victim so that they are able to breathe more easily.
If there is any external bleeding, try to stop it by wrapping the wound. Also make sure that the victim is comfortable. Cover the victim with a blanket or a jacket if they are cold. If they are thirsty, do not give them a drink, but you can moisten the lips.
Be prepared to perform CPR if necessary. Wait with the victim until the emergency help arrives, then supply them with as much information about the victim as you know.
Professional Treatment
Even before a complete diagnosis can be made, immediate help must be given. Proper care must be given to ensure that the victim is receiving enough oxygen and that blood pressure is maintained. If blood pressure becomes too low, death is possible.
These preventative steps are taken in the ambulance during transporation to the hospital. All necessary precautions will be taken to ensure the victim’s survival. However, the cause of the shock won’t be cured. Specific treatment will be done at the hospital when the doctors are certain of the cause. If surgery is required, it is important that it be done within the first hour so that the patient’s chance of survival is greater.
Different types of shock have differing causes. Because of this, the different types of shock will receive different treatment.
Hypovolaemic shock is the most common type of shock. It happens when there is a loss of fluid from either an internal source or an external source. This could be a hemorrhage or extensive wound bleeding.
Hypovolaemic shock treatment: If the victim is suffering from this type of shock, blood volume must be maintained or increased. Any future fluid loss will be prevented. Oxygen therapy will be given to the victim if they don’t have enough oxygen flowing through the body.
Cardiogenic shock is the type of shock that is caused by when the heart fails to pump efficiently. When the heart is damaged or when there are problems with the cardiac valves getting enough blood to and from the heart, this type of shock can occur.
Cardiogenic shock treatment: The victim will receive an extra supply of oxygen. Drugs will be prescribed that help the heart to pump efficiently and let blood flow through the body at an ideal rate.
Septic shock occurs because of an infection in the body, particularly due to baterial toxins or certain fungi. The blood vessels will shrink and not enough blood will be pumped through the body.
Septic shock treatment: This type of shock will be treated by restoring lost fluids to the body. An extra supply of oxygen will be given to the victim. The source of the infection that caused the septic shock will be identified and controlled. Antibiotics will be given to the victim to control the infection and prevent further infection.
Anaphylactic shock is caused by a severe reaction to something that the shock victim is allergic to or to a drug. Blood vessels will shrink, which will inhibit the suppy of blood.
Anaphylactic shock treatment: The victim will have had a reaction to an allergen or a drug. An anti-histamine drug or other type of drug will be administered to help control the reaction. Extra oxygen will be supplied as well as extra fluids that were lost.