Hypovolemic Shock – What is it, Symptoms and Treatments!

Hypovolemic Shock – What it is, Symptoms and Treatments of this condition that few know. Additionally, Hypovolemic Shock is a life-threatening condition that results when you lose more than 20% (one fifth) of your body’s blood  or fluid supply.

This severe fluid loss makes it impossible for the heart to pump enough blood to your body. Hypovolemic Shock can lead to organ failure. This condition requires immediate emergency medical attention.

Hypovolemic Shock is the most common type of shock, with very young children and older adults being the most susceptible. Hypovolemic Shock requires immediate emergency medical attention. This condition is also known as hemorrhagic shock . It is a condition that occurs when you lose more than a fifth  of your body ‘s blood .

Causes of Hypovolemic Shock: Hypovolemic Shock results from sudden loss of blood  or fluid in your body. Blood loss of this magnitude can occur because of:

• Bleeding from cuts or serious wounds;
• Bleeding from blunt traumatic injuries due to accidents;
• Internal bleeding from abdominal organs or ruptured ectopic pregnancy;
• Bleeding from the digestive tract;
• Significant vaginal bleeding.

In addition to actual blood loss, the loss of body fluids can cause a decrease in blood volume. This can occur in cases of:

• Excessive or prolonged diarrhea;
• Severe burns;
• Prolonged and excessive vomiting;
• Excessive sweat.

Blood carries  oxygen and other essential substances to your organs and tissues. When heavy bleeding occurs, there is not enough blood  circulating for the heart to be an effective pump. Since your body loses these substances faster than it can replace them, the body’s organs begin to shut down and shock symptoms occur. Blood pressure plummets , which can be fatal.

Symptoms of Hypovolemic Shock: Symptoms of Hypovolemic Shock vary with the severity of fluid or blood loss. However, all symptoms of shock are life-threatening and need emergency medical treatment.

Internal blood symptoms may be difficult to recognize until shock symptoms appear, but external bleeding will be visible. Symptoms of hemorrhagic shock may not appear right away. Older adults may not experience these symptoms until the shock has progressed significantly.

Some symptoms are more urgent than others.

Mild Symptoms: Mild symptoms may include:

• Headache
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• heavy perspiration
• Dizziness

Serious Symptoms: Severe symptoms, which should be taken seriously and warrant emergency medical attention, include:

• Cold or damp skin
• pale skin
• Rapid, shallow breathing
• fast heart rate
• Little or no urine output
• Confusion
• Weakness
• weak pulse
• Blue lips and nails
• Dizziness
• Loss of consciousness

The sign of external bleeding is visible, profuse bleeding from a body or area of ​​injury.

Signs and Symptoms of Internal Bleeding Include:

• Abdominal pain
• blood in the stool
• Black and tarry stools (melena)
• blood in urine
• vomiting blood
• Chest pain
• abdominal swelling

While some symptoms like abdominal pain and sweating may point to something less urgent like a stomach virus, you should seek immediate medical attention when you see the clusters of these symptoms together. This is especially true for more serious symptoms. The longer you wait, the more damage can be done to tissues and organs.

If you have any signs of bleeding or hemorrhagic shock , seek medical attention immediately.

Emergency Care of Hypovolemic Shock: Untreated hypovolemic shock leads to death. Hypovolemic Shock is a medical emergency. Call 911 immediately if you see a person showing symptoms of shock. Until health professionals arrive:

• Ask the person to lie flat with their feet elevated about 12 inches.
• Refrain from moving the person if you suspect a head, neck, or back injury.
• Keep the person warm to avoid hypothermia.
• Do not let the person flow by mouth.

Don’t raise your head. Remove any visible dirt or debris from the injury site. Do not remove embedded glass, a knife, a stick, an arrow, or any other object stuck in the wound. If the area is clear of debris and no visible objects protrude, tie fabric, such as a shirt, towel, or blanket, around the injury site to minimize blood loss . Apply pressure to the area. If you can, tie or tape the tissue to the wound.

Complications of Hypovolemic Shock: Lack of blood and fluid in your body can lead to the following complications:

• Damage to organs such as the kidney or brain;
• Gangrene of the arms or legs;
• Heart attack.

The effects of Hypovolemic Shock depend on the rate at which you are losing blood or fluid and the amount of blood or fluid you are losing. The extent of your injuries can also determine your chances of survival.

Chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, previous stroke, heart, lung or kidney disease, or taking blood thinners like Coumadin or aspirin can increase the likelihood of experiencing more complications from Hypovolemic Shock .

Diagnoses of Hypovolemic Shock: Often there is no early warning of shock. Instead, symptoms tend to only arise when you are already experiencing the condition. A physical exam may reveal signs of shock, such as low blood pressure and a rapid heartbeat. A person in shock may also be less responsive when asked questions by the emergency room doctor.

Heavy bleeding is immediately recognizable, but internal bleeding is sometimes not found until you have signs of hemorrhagic shock .

In addition to physical symptoms, your doctor may use a variety of testing methods to confirm that you are experiencing Hypovolemic Shock . These include:

• Blood test to check for electrolyte imbalances, kidney and liver function;
• Computed tomography or ultrasound to visualize the organs of the body;
• Echocardiogram, an ultrasound of the heart;
• Electrocardiogram to assess heart rhythm;
• Endoscopy to examine the esophagus and other gastrointestinal organs;
• Right heart catheterization to check how effectively the heart is pumping;
• Urinary catheter to measure the amount of urine in the bladder.

Treatments for Hypovolemic Shock: Once in a hospital, a person suspected of having Hypovolemic Shock will be given fluids or blood products intravenously to replenish lost blood and improve circulation. Treatment revolves around controlling fluid and blood loss , replacing what has been lost, and stabilizing the damage caused and resulting from Hypovolemic Shock . This will also include treating the injury or illness that caused the shock, if possible.

These include:

• blood plasma transfusion
• platelet transfusion
• Red blood cell transfusion
• intravenous crystalloids

Doctors may also give medications that increase the heart’s pumping force to improve circulation and get blood where it’s needed. These include:

• dopamine
• dobutamine
• epinephrine
• norepinephrine

Antibiotics may be given to prevent septic shock and bacterial infections . Close cardiac monitoring will determine the effectiveness of the treatment you receive.