An illness characterized by fatigue, nausea, weight loss, fever, bleeding from the mouth and gums, hair loss, and immune deficiencies, resulting from overexposure to ionizing radiation. Death can result.
An illness caused by exposure to radiation from radioactive substances.
Abnormal condition caused by exposure to ionizing radiation as, for example, from exposure to nuclear bomb explosions or exposure to radioactive chemicals in the workplace. Symptoms and prognosis depend on the amount of radiation, the exposure time, and the part of the body affected. Low to moderate doses cause nausea, vomiting, headache, and diarrhea, sometimes followed by hair loss and bleeding. Severe exposure causes sterility, damage to the fetus in pregnant women, and in many cases the development of cataracts, some forms of cancer, and other diseases. Severe exposure can cause death within hours. Also called radiation syndrome.
Also known as radiation poisoning; symptoms and illness that result from exposure to excessive doses of ionizing radiation. Radiation sickness may be caused by a single exposure to radiation at a very high level or by ongoing exposure to lower levels over time. Radiation sickness caused by long-term exposure is generally delayed and can result in cancer and premature aging. The severity of radiation sickness depends on the amount of radiation, the type of radiation, the duration of the exposure, and the areas of the body that have been exposed.
Any acute illness caused by exposure to rays emitted by radioactive substances, e.g. X-rays or gamma rays. Very high doses cause death within hours from destructive lesions of the central nervous system. Lower doses, which may still prove fatal, cause immediate symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, which may be followed after a week or more by bleeding and other symptoms of damage to the bone marrow, loss of hair, and bloody diarrhea.
The term applied to the nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite which may follow exposure to radiation for example, at work or the use of radiotherapy in the treatment of cancer and other diseases. People exposed to radiation at work should have that exposure carefully monitored so it does not exceed safety limits. Doses of radiation given during radiotherapy treatment are carefully measured: even so, patients may suffer side-effects. The phenothiazine group of tranquillisers, such as chlorpromazine, as well as the antihistamine drugs, are of value in the prevention and treatment of radiation sickness.
A condition caused by exposure to large doses of radiation.
This term is used to describe the immediate impacts of ionizing radiation on the entire body or a significant portion thereof, occurring when the dose surpasses 1 gray (Gy) of X-rays or gamma rays, or 1 sievert (Sv) of other radiation varieties.
The impact of radiation relies on the dosage and the duration of exposure. In a healthy adult, total-body doses below 2 Gy are unlikely to result in fatality. Within the 1 to 10 Gy range, brief instances of queasiness and sporadic vomiting might occur, but these usually abate swiftly, followed by a period of about two to three weeks marked by improved health. During this interval, the repercussions of radiation-induced bone marrow and immune system impairment become apparent. This includes recurring infections, some of which can prove fatal if not addressed with antibiotics, and the emergence of petechiae (tiny bleeding spots under the skin). Certain individuals might benefit from treatments like bone marrow transplants or isolation within a sterile environment until bone marrow recovery is achieved.
When exposed to a dosage ranging from 10 to 30 Gy, there is an initial manifestation of nausea and vomiting, which often subside within a few hours. Yet, this is accompanied by substantial harm to the gastrointestinal tract, leading to intense and often bloody diarrhea, termed the gastrointestinal syndrome. Additionally, severe infections resulting from immune system impairment are highly probable and usually lead to fatality within four to 14 days post-exposure.
Sudden exposures to radiation ranging from 30 to 100 Gy trigger swift occurrences of nausea, vomiting, anxiety, and disorientation. Typically, within a matter of hours, the affected individual enters a state of unconsciousness and succumbs to the consequences of nervous system impairment and brain edema (fluid accumulation). This amalgamation of effects is termed the central nervous system syndrome.
A condition that can arise at times due to exposure to deep x-rays or radium, marked by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, headaches, cramps, and diarrhea. This term is also used to describe the consequences of radiation resulting from nuclear explosions, which include hair and teeth loss, a reduction in red and white blood cells, and bleeding in different body regions. In severe instances, there is no available treatment, but for individuals who have experienced only a mild dose of radiation, treatment involves complete rest and blood transfusions.