Shock (circulatory)

In medicine, shock is a biomedical life-threatening condition where the human body, in reaction to events, starts a cyclical degenerative process ending in the person's death without immediate outside intervention.

Trauma shock is the result of serious injuries. In self-defense blood is pooled in the vital organs and the brain. In the short term this keeps the person alive. Over a longer period of time it causes damage to peripheral organs which can itself become life-threatening.

Hypovolemic shock is caused by lack of blood. It is necessary to immediately control any bleeding. IVs or [transfusions]] may be needed to save the person's life.

Septic shock is caused by overwhelming infection and is treated by massive doses of antibiotics. Septic shock is often fatal.

Psychological shock can be caused by exposure to traumatic events. In combination with other injuries or forms of shock, psychological shock can itself kill as it saps the person's will to live and survive.