Radiation sickness – symptoms. What is the treatment of acute radiation sickness?

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Radiation sickness is a disease caused by ionizing radiation. Its main cause is usually exposure to excessive or frequently repeated low doses of radiation. Radiation sickness can also appear as a consequence of absorption of radioactive isotopes by oral or inhalation – also after a nuclear explosion. It can be acute or chronic.

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What is radiation sickness?

Radiation sickness is a group of disease symptoms that appear as a result of ionizing radiation affecting the human body. The symptoms depend on the amount of ionizing radiation absorbed by the body and the age of the person being irradiated. It is incorrect to believe that radiation sickness is the same as the radiation reaction that develops in people after radiation therapy. We come into contact with ionizing radiation on a daily basis, but in a concentration that is neutral to health. Exceeding the allowable dose usually occurs during, for example, a nuclear reactor accident. The higher the radiation, the more dangerous the health effects. That is why the eruption in Hiroshima and Nagasaki led to such devastation.

1. Here you can check the radiation level in Poland [CURRENT DATA]

Why is ionizing radiation harmful?

Because when it penetrates the human body, it causes a series of chemical transformations of water in the tissues. Water is about 60 percent. of our body, therefore these changes are very large. Damage to molecules due to radiation leads to all sorts of genetic mutations and even cell necrosis. Thus, even a single irradiation (in a short time) can, in extreme cases, even lead to death, and if the dose is not lethal – in the future a malignant tumor, problems with getting pregnant and hormonal disorders may occur.

Remember! Even small, but regular doses of radiation (especially in people operating radiation-emitting devices) can be hazardous to health.

The causes of radiation sickness

An increased risk of ailments occurs among people working in the health service, especially those who specialize in nuclear medicine and handle radiation-emitting devices. People working in the field of a broken X-ray tube or operating the equipment without special protective clothing are also exposed to radiation sickness. In special cases, the disease can be caused by a nuclear reactor failure or the use of nuclear weapons.

Acute radiation sickness

Symptoms of acute radiation sickness appear several or several dozen hours after radiation. The shorter the latency period, the more severe the course of the disease. Radiation sickness can take many forms.

Subclinical form characterized by a general weakness of the patient and a decrease in the number of lymphocytes in the peripheral blood (lymphopenia). Absorbed dose: 0,5–2 Gy. There is no risk of death in this form.

Hematological form – there is general weakness, a decrease in the number of lymphocytes in the peripheral blood (lymphopenia), anemia, hemorrhagic diathesis and a decrease in immunity, accompanied by a predisposition to various types of infections, and even sepsis. Patients experience recurrent bleeding and poor wound healing due to thrombocytopenia. Apart from the symptoms mentioned above, they also complain of dizziness and shortness of breath. About 25 percent. people with this form of the disease die.

Intestinal form is manifested by diarrhea (bloody), the occurrence of hemorrhagic diathesis, anemia, intestinal obstruction, acute renal failure as well as sepsis, malnutrition and dehydration. Exposing a patient to a high dose of ionizing radiation may lead to gastrointestinal syndrome and, consequently, irreversible damage to the gastrointestinal tract. Mortality in patients with the enteric form is high and amounts to 50-100%.

Brain figure – it is the least known and at the same time the fastest developing form of radiation sickness. Immediately after irradiation, patients develop convulsions and loss of consciousness (after receiving a dose greater than 20 Gy). In addition, respiratory distress, watery diarrhea, high temperature and cardiogenic-hypovolemic shock may occur. As a result of complications related to the cardiovascular system, the patient may develop cerebral edema, hypoxia and increased intracranial pressure. Cerebral mortality is 100%, and death usually occurs within 2-3 days (regardless of treatment).

Enzymatic form – the patient dies soon after losing consciousness.

Chronic radiation sickness

Chronic radiation sickness is defined as the long-term effects of irradiation that occurred only once or the effects of long-term exposure to repeated low doses of radiation (e.g. in people who operate x-ray tubes without using appropriate protective measures). The consequences of irradiation appear several or several years after the exposure. Chronic radiation sickness results in:

1. the development of malignant neoplasms (especially leukemias and lymphomas as well as thyroid and skeletal neoplasms),
2. accelerated aging of the body and shortened life expectancy,
3. infertility (usually temporary),
4. damage to the genome of germ cells (which increases the risk of birth defects in offspring),
5. hormonal disorders,
6. cataracts.

Radiation sickness and pregnancy

The consequences of ionizing radiation on a pregnant woman depend on the dose and the period of pregnancy. In early pregnancy, radiation may kill the fetus, and later irradiation may cause birth defects or death.

Treatment of radiation sickness

In the treatment of radiation sickness, it is recommended to use systemic homeostasis preparations and patiently wait for the real and rebuilding of damaged organs. The hematological form of radiation sickness is treated with:

1. blood products,
2. blood substitutes,
3. antimicrobial agents (antiviral, antibiotic, antifungal, antibacterial),
4. preparations stimulating the process of myeloid hematopoiesis.

In turn, in the form of intestinal radiation sickness, it is necessary to introduce parenteral nutrition in order not to irritate the additionally damaged gastrointestinal tract until it is repaired.

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