Neurogenic shock occurs after serious injury to the nervous system and/or spinal cord. This is a potential complication and can cause organ dysfunction or even death. Often neurogenic shock occurs after acute spinal cord injury in 80-90% of cases. Cervix is the worst affected area because of this shock and sometimes the thoracic and lumbar region are also affected. Unlike spinal shock which occurs due to temporary spinal reflex action this shock is permanent. The major consequences of this shock are hypotension and bradycardia. It causes loss of autonomic tone and any disruption of sympathetic path would result in vagal tone leading to vasodilation.
A person having neurogenic shock is at increased risk of spinal cord ischemia. Many hemodynamic changes take place within the system due to shock leading to reversible reduction of sensory and motor functions of spinal cord.
Types of Shock :
Any type of shock can damage multiple organs of your body. Shock occurs when the body lacks enough blood flow. Cardiogenic shock occurs due to heart problems, anaphylactic shock occurs due to allergic reaction and hypovolemic shock happens due to black of blood quantity and septic shock occurs due to infections and neurogenic shock occurs due to nervous system damage or spinal cord injury.
Causes :
Neurogenic shock occurs when there is severe injury to the spinal cord or central nervous system. The trauma or injury results in loss of sympathetic nerve stimulation of blood vessels which would return back to relaxed position (vasodilation) causing sudden decrease in blood pressure. This sudden low blood pressure leads to neurogenic shock causing risk to brain and spinal cord. This type of shock needs prompt medical treatment failing which the consequences can be fatal.