How Are the Stages of Shock Classified?

Shock is a severe symptom that can lead to loss of consciousness and coma in patients. There are various causes of shock, including hypovolemic shock and septic shock. Shock is mainly divided into three stages, and each stage poses different risks to patients. In the event of shock, emergency measures should be taken to treat the patient and minimize the harm caused. Let's explore how shock is staged and the seven major causes of shock.

Shock can be classified into different types based on the underlying cause, including hypovolemic shock, septic shock, cardiogenic shock, and anaphylactic shock. The staging of shock is divided into three stages.

The first stage is the microcirculatory ischemic stage, characterized by fine and rapid pulse, narrowed pulse pressure difference, oliguria, pallor, cold extremities, cold sweat, and agitation. The second stage is the microcirculatory congestion stage, manifesting as hypotension, mental indifference, oliguria, anuria, dry skin, and mottled appearance. The third stage is the microcirculatory failure stage, presenting with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome.

1. Hemorrhagic Shock: Shock caused by significant blood loss is known as hemorrhagic shock. It commonly occurs in cases of trauma-induced bleeding, peptic ulcer bleeding, esophageal variceal rupture, and bleeding caused by gynecological and obstetric diseases. Whether shock occurs after blood loss depends not only on the amount of blood lost but also on the speed of blood loss. Shock often occurs when there is rapid and significant (exceeding 30-35% of total blood volume) blood loss without timely replenishment.

2. Traumatic Shock: Severe trauma, especially when accompanied by a certain amount of bleeding, often leads to traumatic shock.

3. Burn Shock: Extensive burns accompanied by significant plasma loss can often lead to burn shock.

4. Septic Shock: Severe infections, especially Gram-negative bacterial infections, can often cause septic shock. In septic shock caused by Gram-negative bacteria, bacterial endotoxins play a crucial role, hence it is also known as endotoxic shock or toxic shock. Septic shock is often accompanied by sepsis, hence it is also known as septicemic shock.

5. Cardiogenic Shock: Extensive acute myocardial infarction, acute myocarditis, pericardial tamponade, and other conditions can often lead to cardiogenic shock.

6. Anaphylactic Shock: Injecting certain drugs (such as penicillin), serum preparations, or vaccines into individuals with allergic tendencies can trigger anaphylactic shock.

7. Neurogenic Shock: Severe pain, high spinal anesthesia, or injury can cause neurogenic shock.