Radiation sickness

When the human body is exposed to ionizing rays in large doses, radiation sickness may occur - damage to cellular structures, tissues and liquid media, occurring in acute or chronic form. Nowadays, acute disease is relatively rare - it is possible only in accidents and single high-power external irradiation. Chronic radiation pathology is caused by prolonged exposure of the body to radiation flow in small doses, which, however, exceed the maximum permissible amount. In this case, almost all organs and systems are affected, so the clinical picture of the disease is varied and not always the same.

ICD 10 code

• J 70.0 – Acute pulmonary pathology caused by radiation.
• J 70.1 - Chronic and other pulmonary diseases caused by radiation.
• K 52.0 – Radiation form of gastroenteritis and colitis.
• K 62.7 – Radiation form of proctitis.
• M 96.2 – Post-radiation kyphosis.
• M 96.5 – Post-radiation scoliosis.
• L 58 – Radiation dermatitis.
• L 59 - Other dermatological diseases associated with exposure to radiation.
• T 66 - Unspecified pathologies associated with radiation exposure.

Causes of radiation sickness

Acute radiation sickness in humans occurs with short-term (several minutes, hours, or 1-2 days) irradiation of the body in a dose higher than 1 g (100 rad). Such irradiation can be obtained by being in the area of radiation exposure or by radioactive fallout, by improper work with strong radiation sources, by accidents involving radiation release, and also by using radiation therapy for therapeutic purposes.

In addition, radiation sickness can be caused by various types of radiation and radiation that are in the atmosphere, in the food consumed, in water. Radioactive components can enter the body during breathing, when eating. Substances can be absorbed through the pores of the skin, penetrate the eyes, etc.

Biogeochemical anomalies, environmental pollution due to a nuclear explosion, leakage of nuclear waste, etc. play a major role in the development of the disease. During a nuclear explosion, the atmosphere is saturated as a result of the release of radioactive substances into the air that have not entered into a chain reaction, causing the appearance of new isotopes. A clearly defined severe course of radiation injury is observed after explosions or accidents at nuclear power plants or power plants.

[ 1 ], [ 2 ], [ 3 ], [ 4 ]

Pathogenesis

Radiation sickness can be acute (subacute) or chronic, which depends on the duration and magnitude of the educational impact, which determines the course of the changes that occur. The characteristic of the etiology of the pathology is that the acute form cannot become chronic or, conversely, unlike other diseases.

The appearance of certain signs of the disease directly depends on the dosage of the external radiation load received. In addition, the type of radiation is also important, because each of them has certain characteristics, including the strength of the damaging effect on the body.

For example, alpha rays have a high ionization density and low penetrating properties, which is why sources of such radiation have a low spatial damaging effect.

SS rays, with low penetration and low ionization density, affect tissues in areas of the body that are directly adjacent to the radiation source.

At the same time, γ-rays and X-rays cause deep damage to the tissues that come under their influence.

Neutron rays affect organs unevenly because their penetrating properties, like linear energy loss, can vary.

Symptoms of radiation sickness

Symptomatic manifestations of radiation sickness can be divided into several degrees of severity, which is explained by the dosage of radiation received:

• when exposed to 1-2 Gy, they speak of mild damage;
• when exposed to 2-4 Gy – about average;
• when exposed to 4-6 Gy – severe damage;
• when exposed to radiation of more than 6 Gy - about extremely severe damage.

Clinical signs in this case largely depend on the severity of the damage to the body.

Diagnosis of radiation sickness

When conducting diagnostics on a patient with body irradiation, it is first necessary to find out the radiation dosage to which the victim was exposed. Depending on this, further measures will be determined.

• It is necessary to obtain information from the patient or his relatives about the source of radiation, the distance between him and the victim, the duration of exposure, etc.
• It is important to know about the type of rays that affected the person.
• The clinical picture, intensity and severity of symptoms are carefully studied.
• Blood tests are carried out, preferably repeated within a few days.
• Important information can be provided by a dosimeter, a special device that measures the amount of absorbed radiation.

Blood tests can provide the following information:

For light irradiation (1-2 Gy):

• lymphocytes – more than 20%;
• leukocytes – more than 3000;
• platelets – more than 80,000 in 1 µl.

At average irradiation (2-4 Gy):

• lymphocytes – 6-20%;
• leukocytes – 2000-3000;
• platelets – less than 80,000 in 1 µl.

In case of severe irradiation (4-6 Gy):

• lymphocytes – 2-5%;
• leukocytes – 1000-2000;
• platelets – less than 80,000 in 1 µl.

In case of extremely severe irradiation (more than 6 Gy):

• lymphocytes – 0.5-1.5%;
• leukocytes – less than 1000;
• platelets – less than 80,000 in 1 µl.

Additionally, auxiliary research methods may be prescribed that are not fundamental, but are of some value for clarifying the diagnosis.

• Laboratory diagnostic methods (microscopic examination of scrapings of ulcerative and mucous surfaces, blood sterility analysis).
• Instrumental diagnostics (electroencephalography, cardiography, ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity, thyroid gland).
• Consultation with doctors of narrow specializations (neurologist, hematologist, gastroenterologist, endocrinologist).

If necessary, differential diagnostics are carried out, although in the presence of reliable data on the fact of irradiation, this point is often missed.

The disease is most often differentiated from infectious and parasitic pathologies, prescribing as many different diagnostic tests as possible.

The scheme for calculating the dose load using biological indicators in patients after exposure to ionizing radiation is called "biological dosimetry". In this case, not the total volume of radiated energy that was absorbed by the body is calculated, but the ratio of biological disorders to the dose of short-term one-time irradiation. This method helps to assess the severity of the pathology.

[ 5 ], [ 6 ], [ 7 ]

Treatment of radiation sickness

In acute radiation injury, the victim is placed in a special box where appropriate aseptic conditions are maintained. Bed rest is prescribed.

First of all, measures such as treating wound surfaces, cleansing the stomach and intestines, eliminating vomiting, and normalizing blood pressure are taken.

If the radiation is of internal origin, then certain drugs are administered, the action of which is aimed at neutralizing radioactive substances.

At first, strong detoxification therapy is carried out, which includes intravenous administration of saline or plasma-substituting solution, hemodesis, and forced diuresis. In case of damage to the gastrointestinal tract, dietary restrictions are prescribed in the first few days (it is possible to switch to parenteral nutrition), and treatment of the oral cavity with antiseptic liquids.

To eliminate hemorrhages, blood products, platelet or erythrocyte mass are administered. Blood and plasma transfusions are possible.

Antibacterial drugs are used to prevent infectious diseases.

In case of chronic radiation damage, symptomatic therapy is prescribed.

First aid for radiation sickness is carried out in stages.

• The victim must undergo preliminary treatment: remove his clothes, wash him in the shower, be sure to rinse his mouth and nasal cavity, wash his eyes. 2.
• Next, you should wash out the stomach and, if necessary, give an antiemetic drug (for example, cerucal). 3.
• After this, the doctor prescribes anti-shock and detoxification therapy, cardiac and sedative drugs.

In the first phase of the disease, drugs are prescribed to eliminate attacks of nausea and vomiting. In case of uncontrollable vomiting, 0.5 ml of 0.1% atropine solution is used subcutaneously or intramuscularly. You can use drip administration of 50-100 ml of hypertonic sodium chloride solution. Severe radiation sickness may require detoxification treatment. To prevent a collapse state, drugs such as norepinephrine, contrical, cordiamine, trasylol or mesaton are prescribed. The skin and accessible mucous membranes are treated with antiseptic solutions. Excessively active intestinal microflora is suppressed by taking indigestible antibacterial drugs such as gentamicin, neomycin, ristomycin, in combination with antifungal therapy.

When an infection develops, high doses of antibiotics are administered intravenously - ceporin, methicillin, kanamycin. Often, such treatment is supplemented with biopreparations - antistaphylococcal, hyperimmune or antipseudomonal plasma. As a rule, antibacterial agents show their effect within 2 days. If a positive effect does not occur, the drug is replaced with another, stronger one.

In the case of extremely severe damage with suppression of immunity and decreased hematopoiesis function, a bone marrow transplant is performed. The transplanted material is taken from a donor, and the transplant itself is performed after a course of immunosuppressants (to prevent rejection).

Folk remedies

Traditional methods used to eliminate the signs of radiation sickness include the use of garlic tincture, nettle leaves, chokeberry, eleutherococcus, sea buckthorn berries, ginseng, coconut, rose hips, grape and currant leaves, quince, seaweed, bee products, and red wine. To improve blood composition, plants such as knotweed, dandelion leaves, burdock, and yarrow are used.

• Mix 500 ml of red wine (preferably Cahors) with 500 ml of aloe lower leaf juice, 500 g of flower honey and 200 g of ground calamus rhizome. Leave the mixture in the refrigerator for 2 weeks, then take 1 tbsp. 1 hour before meals three times a day with milk.
• Boil 600 ml of water and 3 tbsp of dry oregano, leave overnight (can be in a thermos). Filter in the morning and drink 1/3-1/2 cup three times a day. You can add a spoonful of honey. The duration of treatment depends on the patient's condition and can continue until there are persistent signs of improvement.
• Mix 1 tbsp. chaga with 200 ml of boiling water, leave for 15 minutes, then add baking soda on the tip of a knife and leave for 10 minutes. Take the medicine three times a day, 1 tbsp. half an hour before meals.
• Pour 1 glass of flax seeds with two liters of boiling water and cook for about 2 hours. Remove from heat and cool. Take 100 ml up to 7 times a day.
• Boil 2 tbsp. of lingonberries for 10 minutes in 500 ml of water, then leave for 1 hour under the lid. Take 250 ml twice a day after meals.

Herbal treatment cannot be used independently. Such treatment should only be combined with traditional drug therapy prescribed by a medical specialist.

[ 8 ], [ 9 ], [ 10 ]

Homeopathy for radiation sickness

The effectiveness of homeopathic medicines in treating radiation sickness has not yet been thoroughly proven. However, American scientists continue to experiment, looking for ways to protect humans from the harmful effects of radiation.

One of the drugs that has successfully passed all the research and testing is the food supplement Fucus vesiculosus. This product blocks the thyroid gland from absorbing radioactive rays, preventing its receptors from performing their function. This food supplement is made from seaweed.

Cadmium sulphuratum also has a similar effect. Among other things, this drug significantly alleviates the symptoms of radiation sickness, such as skin itching, dyspeptic disorders, muscle pain.

However, it should be noted that there is no direct evidence of the effectiveness of the listed drugs yet, so the decision to use them is quite risky. Before you start taking homeopathic remedies, consult a doctor.

Prevention and prognosis of radiation sickness

The calculation of the prognosis of radiation sickness directly depends on the amount of radiation exposure received and the duration of its impact. Victims who have survived the critical period (3 months) after radiation injury have every chance of a favorable outcome. But even in the absence of mortality, patients may have some health problems in the future. Blood diseases, malignant tumors in almost any organs and tissues may develop, and the next generation has a high risk of developing genetic disorders.

Preventive measures against radiation damage may include installing protective elements on the body or individual parts of the body (so-called screens). Employees of hazardous enterprises undergo certain training and wear special clothing. People at risk may also be prescribed drugs that reduce tissue sensitivity to radioactive rays. It is mandatory to take vitamins of group B, as well as C and P.

People who have regular contact with radiation sources should periodically attend preventive examinations and have blood tests.

Radiation sickness is a complex disease that cannot be treated on your own. And it is hardly worth the risk, because the consequences of such a pathology are very serious. Therefore, at any suspicion of radiation, even if there are no symptoms of damage, it is necessary to consult a doctor and undergo the necessary examinations.