Have you ever wondered what happens to our bodies after a major accident or when we lose a lot of blood? Or what serious condition can occur when the body loses water due to persistent diarrhea and vomiting ? Hypovolemic Shock , which we are talking about today, is a very dangerous and even life-threatening condition that can occur at such a time. It is very important to understand this correctly and act in time.
What is Hypovolemic Shock?
Simply put, this is an emergency condition that occurs when a large amount of blood or other fluids (e.g., fluids from vomiting or diarrhea) suddenly leaves our body. This causes the total amount of blood circulating in our body, or blood volume, to drop suddenly. That's why it's sometimes called 'low-volume shock'.
Think about it, blood is essential for controlling our body temperature , clotting blood when we bleed, and carrying oxygen and nutrients to every cell. So when the amount of blood decreases too much, our major organs like our heart, brain, and kidneys don't get the oxygen and nutrients they need. As a result, those organs can't function properly.
This condition is often caused by a major injury, such as a ruptured blood vessel, causing excessive bleeding. We call that specific condition hemorrhagic shock . It can also be caused by severe burns, persistent vomiting, and diarrhea.
What are the symptoms of this condition?
The symptoms of this can vary from person to person. It depends on many factors, including your age, any previous medical conditions, the cause of the blood or fluid loss, how quickly it happened, and how much was lost.
Let's look at some of the main symptoms.
| Symptom | Description |
|---|---|
| Heavy bleeding | This is clearly visible in an injury. However, it is not visible in internal bleeding, such as ectopic pregnancy (conception of a baby outside the womb) or organ damage. |
| Rapid Heartbeat | The heart beats faster because the heart has to work harder to pump the amount of blood the body needs. |
| Breathing becomes rapid and short. | Due to a lack of oxygen in the body, breathing begins to become rapid and shallow. |
| Body weakness, fatigue | The body feels lifeless because the cells do not receive the necessary energy and oxygen. |
| Confusion, loss of consciousness | This condition occurs when the amount of blood flowing to the brain decreases. Even speech can become slurred. |
| Decreased or stopped urination | Due to insufficient blood flow to the kidneys, urine production decreases. This is a very dangerous symptom. |
| Low Blood Pressure | Blood pressure drops due to reduced blood volume in the body. |
| Cool, Clammy Skin | The body reduces blood flow to areas like the extremities and directs blood to vital organs like the heart and brain, causing the skin to become cold and sweaty. |
What causes this?
The causes of this can be divided into two main categories: those caused by bleeding and those caused by the release of fluids without bleeding.
Causes of bleeding
- Large bone fractures, such as the hip
- Deep lacerations to the head and neck
- Damage to organs in the abdomen, such as the spleen, liver, and kidneys, from a car accident or fall
- A hole or rupture in the heart or a large blood vessel (such as an aortic aneurysm)
- Bleeding from ulcers in the digestive tract
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Placental abruption during pregnancy
- Ovarian cyst rupture
- Heavy bleeding during childbirth or within 24 hours after delivery
Causes of non-bleeding
- Severe dehydration
- Persistent diarrhea and vomiting
- Fluid loss from the body due to severe burns
- Fluid accumulation in one area of the body due to diseases such as pancreatitis
The Four Stages of Hypovolemic Shock
Four stages have been identified depending on the severity of this condition, which is determined by the amount of blood or fluid lost from the body.
| Stage | Amount of blood/fluid loss | Symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 | Up to 15% (about 750 milliliters) | Blood pressure, heart rate, and urination are normal. You may feel a little nervous. |
| Stage 2 | 15% – 30% (750-1500 ml) | Heart rate increases. Feeling anxious. Skin may become slightly cold. |
| Stage 3 | 30% – 40% (1500-2000 ml) | Blood pressure drops significantly. Urination is very low. Hands and feet are cold. Very confused. |
| Stage 4 | More than 40% (more than 2000 ml) | A very serious condition. Heart rate is extremely fast. Blood pressure is very low. Urination stops. You may even lose consciousness. |
How is the disease diagnosed and treated?
The most important thing in this is to get the patient to a hospital, especially the ETU (Emergency Treatment Unit) , as soon as possible. On the way there, if there is any visible bleeding, you should try to stop it by pressing it with a clean cloth.
At the hospital, the medical team will first try to save your life.
- They will constantly check your temperature, pulse rate, breathing, and blood pressure (vitals).
- Tests such as X-rays, ultrasound scans, and CT scans are performed to find the cause.
- Blood and urine tests are being done.
- An ECG (electrocardiogram) is performed to check the functioning of the heart.
As a treatment, there are three main goals:
1. Providing as much oxygen as possible to every part of the body.
2. To stop or control bleeding.
3. Replacing lost blood and fluids.
For this, you will be given saline (IV fluids) through a cannula placed in a vein. If your blood volume has decreased by more than 30%, you may need a blood transfusion . If there is internal bleeding or a gynecological problem, you may need surgery to stop it.
What complications can this cause?
If this condition is not treated properly and on time, very serious complications can occur.
- If this is caused by an injury, infection may occur.
- Permanent organ damage to organs such as the kidneys, heart, and brain.
- Ultimately, even death can occur.
Your recovery depends on how quickly you receive treatment, how much blood you lost, and whether you have other health problems. So if you suspect any of these symptoms, see your doctor immediately or take the patient to a hospital.
Take-Home Message
- Hypovolemic shock is a very dangerous emergency caused by excessive loss of blood or fluid from the body.
- The main causes of this can be heavy bleeding, persistent vomiting/diarrhea, and severe burns.
- If you notice symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, confusion, and cold skin , immediately take the patient to a hospital's ETU (Emergency Treatment Unit).
- Delaying treatment can lead to damage to organs such as the kidneys and even death, so time is of the essence.
- If you or someone you know suspects this condition, seek medical advice immediately. Never ignore these symptoms.
Hypovolemic Shock Sinhala, low blood volume, low blood pressure, accidents, excessive bleeding, dehydration, shock
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