Radiation Sickness: Classification

Classification of acute radiation sickness according to radiation dose. Radiation dose (in Gray* ) Rating Effect of irradiation up to 0,2 Possible assumed late effects: Tumor diseases (cancer), changes in the genome (genetic alterations). 0,2-0,5 No clinical symptoms; laboratory evidence of erythrocytopenia (decrease in red blood cells) 1 -2 Mild radiation sickness 10% deaths after … Radiation Sickness: Classification

Radiation Sickness: Examination

A comprehensive clinical examination is the basis for selecting further diagnostic steps: General physical examination – including blood pressure, pulse, body weight, height; furthermore: Inspection (viewing). Skin, mucous membranes, and sclerae (white part of the eye) [hemorrhages (bleeding)]. Abdomen (abdomen) Shape of the abdomen? Skin color? Skin texture? Efflorescences (skin changes)? Pulsations? Bowel movements? Visible … Radiation Sickness: Examination

Radiation Sickness: Lab Test

1st order laboratory parameters – obligatory laboratory tests. Small blood count Differential blood count Inflammatory parameter – CRP (C-reactive protein) Chromosome counting (for every 1,000 chromosomes, there should be no more than two chromosomes with more than one centromere; in healthy cells, a chromosome has only one centromere!) Laboratory parameters 2nd order – depending on … Radiation Sickness: Lab Test

Radiation Sickness: Drug Therapy

Therapy recommendations The first measure to be taken is decontamination. Treatment of radiation sickness is supportive (assisting): Anti-infectives (drugs against infections) for infection prophylaxis. Blood products such as red blood cell (RBC) concentrates (EC; “blood reserve” consisting of red blood cells (erythrocytes)). Fluid intake and electrolytes (blood salts) according to laboratory status. Parenteral nutrition (via … Radiation Sickness: Drug Therapy

Radiation Sickness: Diagnostic Tests

Optional medical device diagnostics – depending on the results of the history, physical examination, laboratory diagnosticsand obligatory medical device diagnostics – for differential diagnostic clarification. Abdominal sonography (ultrasound examination of abdominal organs) – for basic diagnostics. Electrocardiogram (ECG; recording of the electrical activity of the heart muscle) – for suspected cardiovascular disorders. Magnetic resonance imaging … Radiation Sickness: Diagnostic Tests

Radiation Sickness: Prevention

For the prevention of radiation sickness, attention must be paid to the reduction of risk factors Environmental exposure – Intoxications (poisonings). Occupational contact with radiation/radioactive substances (radionucleotides). Other risk factors Radiation accidents Atomic bomb explosion (e.g. nuclear power plant accident). Preventive measures The most important primary measures are distance, shielding and minimum exposure time.Shielding is … Radiation Sickness: Prevention

Radiation Sickness: Symptoms, Complaints, Signs

The following symptoms and complaints may indicate radiation sickness: Gastrointestinal symptoms (gastrointestinal symptoms). Nausea (nausea) and vomiting. Diarrhea (diarrhea) Weight loss Fluid loss with accompanying electrolyte shifts Symptoms of the blood system Bone marrow depression – restriction of blood formation resulting in anemia (anemia), thrombocytopenia (lack of platelets) and leukocytopenia (lack of white blood cells). … Radiation Sickness: Symptoms, Complaints, Signs

Radiation Sickness: Causes

Pathogenesis (development of disease) Irradiation of the body results in increased formation of free radicals, which in turn damage cells and their mitochondria (power plants of cells) and DNA (genetic material). This leads to apoptosis (programmed cell death) or mutations, which in turn promote neoplasia (cancer). The faster the division rate of cells (e.g. the … Radiation Sickness: Causes

Radiation Sickness: Therapy

General measures Avoidance of environmental pollution: Occupational contact with radiation/radioactive substances (radionucleotides). Regular checkups Regular medical checkups Nutritional medicine Adherence to the following specific nutritional recommendations during illness: If steatorrhea (fatty stools) occur during radiation sickness, the following measures should be followed: Aim for weight gain if underweight. Increased intake of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, … Radiation Sickness: Therapy

Hypothermia: Symptoms, Complaints, Signs

The following symptoms and complaints may indicate hypothermia (hypothermia): Rectal temperature 35-32.2 °C Leading symptoms Amnesia (form of memory impairment for temporal or content memories). Apathy (apathy) Disturbances of consciousness Brady/tachycardia – too slow (< 60 heartbeats/minute)/too fast heart rate (> 100 heartbeats/minute). Brady-/tachypnea – decreased (breathing at less than ten breaths per minute)/increased respiratory … Hypothermia: Symptoms, Complaints, Signs

Hypothermia: Therapy

General measures If frostbite and hypothermia (hypothermia) are present simultaneously, treat the hypothermia first! If possible, simultaneous treatment is also permitted. The hypothermia always has priority! The patient is to be wrapped in an insulating blanket (aluminum vaporized rescue blanket) Attention! The silver side of the rescue blanket (so seems one side, if you hold … Hypothermia: Therapy