It is also worth noting that the various cases of shock tend to progress in
severity in three
stages:
Compensatory Shock
Compensatory shock is the body's natural reaction to the
trauma that it has received. During this phase, the body may cope well enough that
symptoms of shock are not noticeable, or symptoms of compensatory shock may manifest themselves. These symptoms may include
anxiety; cool, clammy skin;
thirst;
vomiting; and
lightheadedness. If treatment is received during this phase of shock, prognosis is good for a full recovery.
Decompensatory (or Progressive) Shock
In this phase of shock, the body can no longer care for itself, and gradual
systemic shutdown begins to occur. Symptoms of decompensatory shock may include a decreased level of
consciousness; profuse
sweating; Caucasian skin becomes pale white or grey, while darker skin may turn
cyanotic; shallow breathing; rapid pulse; and low
blood pressure. If treatment is not received now, it is likely that the patient will slip into the third stage of shock.
Irreversible Shock
In this final phase, the
heart,
brain, and other
organs sustain major damage as a result of
hypoxia. The result is usually
death. Some patients may survive, but will have incurred irreversible
cellular damage to vital organs. Treatment in this phase is usually ineffective, as the body is beginning to die rapidly. Symptoms of irreversible shock may include the patient becoming
unresponsive; cold white or gray skin; slow or no
heart rate; undetectable
pulse; labored, shallow breathing; and an undetectable blood pressure.
The most efficient methods of treatment are stated above in gwenllian's writeup. There is little that an average person may do to treat shock, the most important thing is to seek professional assistance immediately, as patients suffering from shock can have their conditions rapidly deteriorate in a matter of two to three hours.