Neurologic Shock
Neurologic shock is caused by a sudden loss of sympathetic nervous system input to the smooth muscle of the vessels. The sympathetic nervous system controls the body’s fight or flight and stress response. This loss of input allows vessels to relax leading to a decrease in blood pressure. The signs and symptoms can include low blood pressure, warm and dry limbs, pooling of blood in the veins, decreased cardiac output, and slow heart rate. Treatment may include restoration of blood pressure by vasoconstriction or increasing blood volume. As the causes of neurologic shock can be mental the care of a psychiatrist is often necessary. The prognosis for someone suffering this type of shock depends on the nature of the injury. Often the symptoms will subside on their own given time. References:
http://www.tpub.com/corpsman/136.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neurogenic_shock