Some causes for shock are:

• Heart attack
• Severe or sudden blood loss from an injury or serious illness
• Large drop in body fluids such as following a severe burn or severe vomiting and/or diarrhea
• Blood poisoning from major infections
• Exposure to extreme heat or cold for too long

Other things that lead to shock are:

• Fractures of a large bone
• A severe allergic reaction
• Very low blood sugar such as occurs with diabetes (insulin shock)
• Excessive drinking of alcohol
• Drug overdose

Signs and Symptoms of Shock:

• Weakness, trembling
• Restlessness, confusion
• Pale or blue-colored lips, skin and/or fingernails
• Cool and moist skin
• Weak, but fast pulse
• Rapid, shallow breathing
• Nausea, vomiting
• Enlarged pupils
• Extreme thirst
• Loss of consciousness

Shock cannot be reversed once it happens, but first aid can help keep it from getting worse.

Is the person not breathing and has no pulse?
	Perform CPR (See "CPR") and Get Emergency Care. [Note: If you suspect a head, neck or back injury, you must keep the head, neck and back perfectly still. Do not tilt the head or neck when you do the "Airway and Breathing" part of CPR. Instead, pull the lower jaw (chin) forward to open the airway. See "Head Injury" and "Neck/Spine Injury".]
Is the person not breathing, but does have a pulse?
	Perform Rescue Breathing. See "Airway and Breathing" and Get Emergency Care. [Note: If you suspect a head, neck or back injury, you must keep the head, neck and back perfectly still. Do not tilt the head or neck when you do the "Airway and Breathing" part of CPR. Instead, pull the lower jaw (chin) forward to open the airway. See "Head Injury" and "Neck/Spine Injury".]
Is the person? Bleeding Suffering from an injury Having a hard time breathing
	Get Emergency Care and give first aid before emergency care: Control bleeding. See "Cuts, Scrapes and Punctures". Do First Aid Before Emergency Care for specific injury. For example, if head injury, see "Head Injury" . If a bone looks broken, see "Broken Bones". Elevate head and shoulders or put victim in a half-sitting position to make it easier for him or her to breathe if no head, neck or spine injury. Continue to monitor breathing and pulse.
Is the person unconscious?
	Get Emergency Care and give first aid before emergency care. (See "Unconsciousness".)
Does the person show any of these signs of shock? Weakness Restlessness, confusion Pale or blue-colored lips, skin and/or fingernails Cool and moist skin Weak, but fast pulse Rapid, shallow breathing Nausea, vomiting Enlarged pupils Extreme thirst
	Get Emergency Care and give first aid before emergency care: Lay the person down, face up. Elevate the feet about 1 foot with a box or rolled blankets. This causes blood to flow from the legs to the head and vital organs in the body.

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This article has been taken from Health at Home® – Your Complete Guide to Symptoms, Solutions & Self-Care, a book published by the ...more

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