Septic shock is a life-threatening condition caused by decreased blood flow due to infection, leading to multiple organ failure. Symptoms start subtly and progress rapidly, requiring prompt treatment with antibiotics and organ support. The mortality rate is around 50% and is higher in young people, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems.
Septic shock is a serious medical condition caused by decreased blood flow in the body, leading to multiple organ failure as the body is slowly starved of the important components in the blood. The mortality rate for this condition is usually around 50%, although some hospitals have a much better mortality rate. This condition most commonly occurs in young people, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems.
It all starts with an infection, which can start anywhere. As the immune system moves to heal the infection, something goes wrong and the infection can spread, eventually entering the bloodstream. The immune system goes into overdrive in an attempt to fight the infection, secreting substances that dilate blood vessels along the way. As blood vessels expand, blood pressure drops and blood flow to the body is drastically reduced. Meanwhile, toxins from the infection flood the body, causing further problems, and oxygen-starved tissues begin to release lactic acid, causing the blood to become highly acidic.
As the infection spreads, the body’s organs begin to fail, due to decreased blood supply and increased acid levels in the blood. When blood flow fails to reach crucial organs such as the brain and heart, the patient can fall into a coma and eventually die.
Treatment for septic shock focuses on supporting failing organs or working for them as needed, infusing the body with fluids to raise blood pressure, and using antibiotics and other medications to kill the infection. Depending on which organs have failed, a patient may be on dialysis or put on a ventilator to stay alive. Septic shock can be caused by a wide variety of infections, including fungal infections, and if left untreated, the condition will lead to death.
Symptoms of septic shock often start very subtle. The patient may experience confusion and shivering, associated with rapid breathing, and the area around the site of a recent infection or surgery may be especially red. As the condition progresses, the patient will often enter an altered level of consciousness as their body attempts to fight off the infection, and symptoms associated with organ failure will begin to emerge. At this point, prompt action is required to save the patient’s life.
After any type of surgery, patients usually take antibiotics and are closely monitored for any signs of infection that could turn into septic shock. However, the root infection can be caused by anything, even something as harmless as a cut on a finger, so people with compromised immune systems who are at higher risk for septic shock tend to be very careful to avoid any kind. of infection.
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