Distributive shock or vasodilatory shock is a medical emergency where your body can’t get enough blood to your heart, brain and kidneys. This happens because your blood vessels are extremely dilated (flaccid or relaxed), which brings down your blood pressure and cuts down on how much blood can get to your organs. Often the small blood vessels (capillaries) are leaky in distributive shock, resulting in some fluid loss from the circulation.

Types of distributive shock

1. Septic shock (from a bacterial infection). Example: A serious infection complication called sepsis that gets so bad it leads to septic shock.
2. Anaphylactic shock (from an allergic reaction or asthma attack). Example: An allergic reaction to peanuts that leads to anaphylactic shock.
3. Neurogenic shock (from a spinal cord injury that has damaged your nervous system). Example: A diving accident that injures your spinal cord and leads to neurogenic shock.

CAUSES

Distributive shock causes include:

1. Sepsis (from a bacterial infection).
2. Anaphylaxis (from nut allergies or asthma).
3. Burns.
4. Pancreatitis.
5. Toxic shock syndrome.
6. Spinal cord injury.
7. Endocrine disorders.
8. Adrenal insufficiency (less common).
9. Capillary leak syndrome (less common).
10. Drug overdose of medicine that dilates your blood vessels (less common)

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Medication

Depending on the cause of your distributive shock, your provider will give you the following medicines:

1. Vasopressors (epinephrine, vasopressin, norepinephrine or phenylephrine) to raise your blood pressure.
2. Antibiotics if there’s an infection.
3. Antihistamines if you’ve had an allergic reaction.
4. Steroids for an allergic reaction or severe sepsis.
5. Albuterol (such as Accuneb® or Proair®HFA) if your shock is due to an asthma attack.

Distributive shock signs and symptoms may vary depending on the cause. Symptoms include:

1. Skin rash.
2. Fast heart rate and breathing.
3. Low blood pressure.
4. Warm arms and legs.
5. Skin that starts out warm and then turns cold and clammy.
6. Fever.
7. Chills.
8. Pain in your belly.
9. Confusion.
10. Cough.
11. Shortness of breath.
12. Nausea.
13. Throwing up.
14. Pain when trying to pee.

What causes distributive shock?

Distributive shock causes include:

1. Sepsis (from a bacterial infection).
2. Anaphylaxis (from nut allergies or asthma).
3. Burns.
4. Pancreatitis.
5. Toxic shock syndrome.
6. Spinal cord injury.
7. Endocrine disorders.
8. Adrenal insufficiency (less common).
9. Capillary leak syndrome (less common).
10. Drug overdose of medicine that dilates your blood vessels (less common).