FAINTING AND SHOCK By Alicia and Charlee 1b

WHAT IS FAINTING AND SHOCK Fainting is a sudden loss of consciousness due to decreased blood flow to the brain. The medical term for fainting is syncope. Shock is a state of physical shutdown. Your body goes into shock when there isn’t enough blood in your circulation system.

WHAT CAUSES SHOCK AND FAINTING Fainting is caused by lack of blood flowing to the brain. It also can be caused by emotional distress, low fluids or food and an extended period of standing. Some causes of shock are heart failure, blood loss, external or internal bleeding, leaky or dilated vessels.

TYPE OF SHOCK There are many types of shock, the major shocks include: Cardiogenic shock is when your heart suddenly cannot pump enough blood for your body's needs. Anaphylactic shock is when someone’s body is hypersensitive to a foreign substance, the substance could be a food like nuts, eggs, or shellfish. Septic shock is when bacteria enters the bloodstream through an infection. It leads to a condition called sepsis which is blood poisoning. A septic shock occurs when the bacteria and your toxins damage tissues or some organs in your body. Hypovolemic shock is caused by severe blood loss, when the vital organs don’t have enough blood this leads to shock.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS A feeling of heaviness in the legs Vomiting Thirst Blurred vision Confusion Feeling warm or hot Light headedness, dizziness, a floating feeling Nausea Sweating Vomiting Thirst Weakness Pale, cold clammy skin Unresponsiveness (1 – 2 minutes) Tingling (poor circulation)

HOW TO MANAGE FAINTING AND SHOCK Lay victim down straight away Conduct a primary survey Place in the recovery position if unconscious and breathing Elevate leg if possible Conduct vital signs and secondary surveys Reassure the victim when responsive Seek medical aid if required Shock – Conduct primary survey Position the victim laying down with their legs elevated Treat the cause, if possible Monitor the victims vital signs Comfort the Vitim Provide supplementary oxygen if able Maintain body temperature Record the victims vital signs regularly Seek medical assistance DO NOT elevate legs for snake bite, heart attack, severe hip/leg injury and head injury.

DEMONSTRATION PROVIDING OXYGEN

EASY WAYS TO REMEMBER TREATMENT The easiest way to remember treatment is: If the face is pale raise the tail. If the face is red raise the head If the face is blue they’re almost through