Radiation sickness refers to a disease caused by high levels of radiation. Affected individuals suffer from various ailments and must undergo lengthy treatment. The disease can be prevented only to a limited extent.
What is radiation sickness?
Radiation sickness is a disease that occurs after brief, strong exposure to ionizing radiation. This is the case, for example, after nuclear weapons explosions or radiation accidents, as well as after direct contact with radioactive substances. Depending on how long and intense the contact is, mild to severe symptoms and, in the worst case, immediate death may result. Promising treatment is only possible for mild to moderate illnesses and focuses on reducing the amount of radiation in the body. Since radiation sickness usually occurs suddenly, it is difficult to prevent it. However, it is possible to at least reduce the symptoms by acting quickly.
Causes
The cause of radiation sickness is increased exposure to various radioactive substances. Such an overdose occurs, for example, in the event of a reactor accident, direct contact with radioactive materials, or permanent contact with radio or gamma rays. The so-called volatile substances are also a trigger of radiation sickness. These include iodine-131, iodine-133, cesium-13, and cesium-137. In the event of a nuclear accident, these substances can spread through the air, contaminating larger areas of land and the people who reside in the endangered area. Depending on the level of radiation exposure, mild, moderate, or severe symptoms will occur.
Symptoms, complaints and signs
The symptoms that occur in the course of radiation sickness depend on the dose of X-rays and gamma rays. The higher the dose, the faster the symptoms appear and the longer they persist. The permanent effects, as well as the chances of survival, also depend on the equivalent dose received. At small doses, late effects such as cancer or genetic changes may occur, although these stochastic radiation damages are not direct symptoms. At slightly higher doses of 0.2 to 0.5 Sv (sievert), there is a reduction of red blood cells in the body. An initial radiation hangover may occur at 0.5 to 1 Sv. Headaches, an increased risk of infection and temporary sterility in males occur. Mild radiation sickness is said to occur at 1 to 2 Sv. Typical symptoms here include nausea, loss of appetite, fatigue, and a permanent feeling of malaise. In addition, recovery from other injuries is severely impaired. Temporary infertility in males also occurs in this case. Exposure of 2 Sv to 3 Sv is called severe radiation sickness. Symptoms range from hair loss and a high risk of infection to permanent sterility. Stronger radiation levels increase the severity of the aforementioned symptoms and, in the case of the most severe radiation sickness, which is present at 6 Sv and above, lead to rapid death.
Diagnosis and course of the disease
Radiation sickness can usually be diagnosed on the basis of symptoms and the respective medical history. Since the disease usually occurs as a result of a nuclear accident, the cause is easy to identify. The physician then has the task of determining the severity of the disease, which is possible on the basis of various tests and examinations. First, blood pressure, pulse, weight and height are determined, then the important organs are examined and palpated. In the laboratory, a blood count determines inflammation levels such as CRP. A chromosome count also takes place. If the attending physician already has a suspicion, a puncture of the bone marrow follows, which can be used to determine the severity of the radiation sickness. Ultrasound examinations are also a standard part of the diagnosis of radiation sickness.
Complications
The course of radiation sickness depends on the dose of radiation received. In the best case, minor long-term damage occurs; in the worst case, death occurs within a few minutes. If moderate doses are received, changes in blood counts, skin damage, and internal bleeding occur within the first few hours and days, which can also lead to death in the long term.The complications to be expected from steel sickness depend on the intensity of the radiation to which the affected person was exposed. However, even low doses of radiation can cause severe late effects such as genetic mutation or cancer. At medium doses, severe headaches and loss of appetite can lead to rapid weight loss, which in turn can cause very serious circulatory problems, including collapse. In addition, at higher doses of radiation, loss of body hair, especially head hair, is to be expected. In men, it is not uncommon for sterility to occur, which can be permanent. Furthermore, a disturbance of wound healing is to be feared, so that even minor injuries can become inflamed and the risk of sepsis increases significantly. High doses of radiation often lead to destruction of the intestinal mucosa. In these cases, intestinal bacteria can enter the blood. The body is usually no longer able to fight off the pathogens effectively because the cells in the bone marrow are attacked and no longer produce enough white blood cells. The pathogens can therefore multiply very rapidly within a very short time, which can lead to severe sepsis and a resulting failure of one or more organs. In this case, the patient’s life is in acute danger. Very high doses of radiation usually lead promptly to the death of the affected person.
When should you go to the doctor?
People whose work or home environments are exposed to high levels of radiation often experience various physical as well as psychological complaints over time. Headaches, nausea, a general feeling of malaise or a decrease in physical as well as mental performance, are indications that should be followed up. Changes in body weight, hair loss or irregularities of the female menstrual cycle should be presented to a physician. If men experience erectile dysfunction, it is necessary to clarify the cause. If an existing desire for a child remains unfulfilled for several months, an investigation of the cause is indicated. Tiredness despite a restful night’s sleep and good sleep hygiene is considered a warning sign. If the complaints persist for several weeks or months, a doctor is needed. If the irregularities increase, a visit to the doctor is recommended immediately. Since a high radiation exposure leads to a premature demise of the affected person, consultation with a physician should be sought already at the first disturbances and abnormalities. Changes in the appearance of the skin, swellings, growths or a diffuse sensation of pain are also among the complaints that should be examined more closely. If the risk of infection increases, there is more inflammation or a general feeling of illness, a causal investigation should be carried out. Faintness and a withdrawal from participation in social life are also signs of an existing irregularity.
Treatment and therapy
Radiation sickness is treated primarily by blood transfusions or stem cell transplantation. This makes it possible to repair the damage to the blood and cells and prevent the development of concomitant diseases. In addition, vitamin supplements are administered during the course of therapy to accelerate blood regeneration. Furthermore, the loss of fluids and electrolytes is compensated, which is also done by appropriate preparations and infusions. Any skin damage that has occurred must be repaired at an early stage, as the organism is particularly susceptible to infectious diseases after irradiation. For this reason, patients are usually treated with various drugs such as antibiotics and painkillers. Since strong radiation can damage or even destroy the intestinal mucosa, which in turn causes intestinal bacteria to enter the bloodstream, therapy also focuses to a significant extent on restoring intestinal activity. Administration of medications may be considered for this purpose, as well as surgery and transplantation.
Prevention
Radiation sickness can be prevented by avoiding contact with radioactive materials. If contact does occur, immediate decontamination, or removal of radioactive contamination, can lead to a faster recovery. Iodine is also administered to relieve pressure on the thyroid gland and prevent radioactive iodine from becoming lodged. There are no other ways to prevent radiation sickness.
Aftercare
Radiation sickness itself can be fatal and is based on the dose of X-rays or gamma radiation that is delivered to the patient. Follow-up care is primarily aimed at determining long-term effects on the individual’s body, treating them appropriately, and preventing deterioration of the general condition. If the radiation dose is relatively low, it can also be assumed that after the acute radiation illness there will be relatively few long-term consequences or even complete recovery. The higher the radiation dose, the longer the recovery period. The chance of complete recovery also decreases in this case. The administration of vitamin preparations and restorative products in the aftercare phase can be long-term. In the case of severe to very severe radiation sickness, aftercare is not possible; here, only palliative (i.e. symptom-relieving) treatment is conceivable, since the patient will die within a certain period of time. In the case of mild radiation sickness, continuous aftercare is required, including regular monitoring of blood parameters. In addition, preventive examinations must be carried out to detect long-term consequences, such as cancer, at an early stage and to enable adequate treatment of the patient. In the long term, the patient may suffer from so-called “fatigue“, which is a state of exhaustion that occurs as a result of radiation sickness and often lasts for years. Accompanying therapeutic measures are to be taken here in the aftercare of the radiation sickness itself.
This is what you can do yourself
In everyday life, care should be taken not to visit environments or regions where increased radiation occurs. In case of ambiguity, appropriate measuring devices should be used so that no complications arise. As soon as health impairments become apparent that can be traced back to radiation, cooperation with a physician is necessary. In the event of a diagnosed radiation illness, the affected person should take various measures to support his or her organism as best as possible in coping with the illness. Situations of physical or psychological overexertion should therefore be avoided as a matter of principle. These have a negative effect on the body’s ability to function. In the case of sporting activities, attention must also be paid to the body’s specifications. If the patient feels that he or she is reaching his or her limits, it is important to rest and take it easy. To strengthen the well-being, a healthy and balanced diet should take place. With a diet rich in vitamins and the avoidance of high-fat meals, the onset of obesity can be avoided. The consumption of harmful substances such as alcohol and nicotine should be refrained from in the state of health of the person concerned. On the other hand, it is beneficial to organize leisure activities in an optimal way and to build up a zest for life. Since the affected person suffers from an increased risk of infection, adequate protection should be ensured, especially when the seasons change.
