SEPTIC SHOCK

SEPTIC SHOCK

Septic shock refers to a harmful decrease in blood pressure caused by a condition called sepsis. It can immediately cause organ damage, including your liver, lungs, and kidneys that can be very deadly. 

Sepsis is a life-threatening disease that transpires when the body’s reaction to an infection harms its own tissue. This causes the immune system to produce more blood chemicals, triggering general inflammation that may lead to organ failure. 

Furthermore, the primary cause of sepsis is a fungal, bacterial, or viral infection. Each of these infections may start while you’re in the hospital or at home. It commonly arises from:

  • UTI or urinary tract infection
  • Digestive system or abdominal infection
  • Lung infections such as pneumonia
  • Reproductive system infection

SYMPTOMS

The most common symptoms of sepsis include:

  • Fast heart rate
  • Hypothermia or low body temperature
  • High fever
  • Rapid breathing

Severe sepsis causes organ failure that generally affects the heart, brain, lungs, and kidneys. The symptoms and signs of severe sepsis include:

  • Dizziness
  • Difficulty or problem in breathing
  • Low amount of urine
  • Cyanosis or bluish of the lips and digits
  • Acute confusion

DIAGNOSIS

In diagnosing sepsis, your doctor may ask about your symptoms. Afterward, he/she may order imaging tests and a blood test to see the extent of the infection. The blood test will identify if any of the following are present:

  • Abnormal kidney or liver function
  • Electrolyte imbalance
  • Bacteria in the blood
  • Clottings because of low platelet count
  • Surfeit waste products in the blood

Depending on the result of the blood test or the symptoms, there are some tests a doctor may order to figure out the origin of the infection. These may include:

  • Spinal fluid test
  • Urine test
  • Mucus secretion test
  • Wound secretion test

TREATMENT

Early diagnosis and treatment of sepsis can result in a higher chance of survival. Once you are diagnosed with sepsis, you will probably be admitted to the ICU or Intensive Care Unit. Furthermore, doctors may use several medications and treatment to treat septic shock, such as:

  • IV antibiotics to fight infections
  • Insulin to stabilize your blood sugar
  • Corticosteroid
  • Vasopressor medications to help increase your blood pressure

If a patient has difficulty in breathing, a respirator may be needed. Also, surgery may be executed to take off the source of infection, extract the infected tissue, and draw out the pus-infused abscess. 

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