Shock is a life-threatening condition with symptoms like low blood pressure, weakness, chest pain, etc. Learn about causes, types, and treatments. In this article, you'll learn what can cause shock, what symptoms spell emergency for each type, the first-line treatments when facing an emergency from shock, and more.

Understanding the Context

Of the various theories, the most well regarded was a theory penned by George W. Crile who suggested in his 1899 monograph, " An Experimental Research into Surgical Shock", that shock was quintessentially defined as a state of circulatory collapse (vasodilation) due to excessive nervous stimulation. [49] Lack of blood flow means the cells and organs do not get enough oxygen and nutrients to function properly. Many organs can be damaged as a result.

Key Insights

Shock requires immediate treatment and can get worse very rapidly. As many as 1 in 5 people in shock will die from it. Shock is a critical condition brought on by the sudden drop in blood flow through the body. Shock may result from trauma, heatstroke, blood loss or an allergic reaction. Medically, shock is defined as a condition where the tissues in the body don't receive enough oxygen and nutrients to allow the cells to function.

Final Thoughts

This ultimately leads to cellular death, progressing to organ failure, and finally, if untreated, whole body failure and death. Shock is usually caused by hemorrhage or overwhelming infection and is characterized in most cases by a weak, rapid pulse; low blood pressure; and cold, sweaty skin. Depending on the cause, however, some or all of these symptoms may be missing in individual cases. A brief treatment of shock follows.