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Hypovolemic shock
Definition:
Hypovolemic shock is a particular form of shock in which the heart is unable to supply enough blood to the body. It is caused by blood loss or inadequate blood volume. Alternative Names:
Shock - hypovolemic
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Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
Loss of approximately one-fifth or more of the normal blood volume produces hypovolemic shock. The loss can be from any cause, including external bleeding (from cuts or injury), gastrointestinal tract bleeding, other internal bleeding, or from diminished blood volume resulting from excessive loss of other body fluids (such as can occur with diarrhea, vomiting, burns, and so on). In general, larger and more rapid blood volume losses result in more severe shock symptoms. In another form of shock called cardiogenic shock, there is adequate blood volume, but the heart is unable to pump the blood effectively.
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