Radiation sickness: symptoms and treatment.

Such a disease as radiation sickness is a consequence of the effect on the human body of ionizing radiation. There are two forms of this pathology: chronic and acute. In the first case, the disease occurs as a result of prolonged irradiation in doses that significantly exceed the permissible standards. The chronic form can appear after a few months, and in some cases after several years. On the contrary, the acute form of radiation sickness manifests itself almost immediately after receiving a short-term irradiation.

Radiation sickness, the symptoms that largely depend on the nature of the irradiation, proceeds in different ways. Thus, for the acute form is characterized by the presence of four phases, for each of which its own symptomatology is inherent.

During the first three days, the patient can observe dyspeptic and neuro-regulatory disorders, as well as redistribution shifts in the blood picture. If we do not take the appropriate measures on time, the changes continue to increase, and in those tissues and organs that are most radiosensitive. With the further development of this disease, deep damage to the circulatory system is observed, complications of an infectious nature occur, immunity is markedly suppressed. Hemorrhagic manifestations are noted on the skin. Untimely rendering of the help leads to deep infringements of consciousness. There may be a coma.

Acute radiation sickness has four degrees of severity. If the first three are characterized, as a rule, by a favorable outcome, then the fourth degree, which is extremely difficult, does not always give in to treatment. The probability of a fatal outcome in this case is significantly increased.

With regard to the chronic form of this pathology, it refers to a complex clinical syndrome, which is characterized by the presence of changes in various systems and organs, as well as undulation and duration of the course. At its early stages, it manifests itself as a violation of neurovascular regulation. A little later, functional deficiency develops, and then structural damage to systems and organs occurs.

Radiation disease of chronic form presages the development of tumors of the most diverse localization. Radiation disease, the treatment of which depends on its form, presupposes the presence of three stages of medical treatment. First of all, it is the identification of the source of radiation and the transportation of the victims to a considerable distance from it. Immediately there are emergency care. And, finally, diagnostic and therapeutic measures in full in the hospital or in the polyclinic, depending on the degree of injury.

Emergency care is reduced to the relief of vomiting, the elimination of collapse, anesthesia and immobilization. In the event that there are clear signs of radioactive contamination of the skin, then measures are taken to decontaminate. When injuries to areas of maximum contamination, antiseptic dressings are applied.

In general, radiation sickness provides symptomatic treatment. In any case, there is a bed rest and a strict diet. During detoxification, intravenous infusions of saline solutions, haemodesis and plasma substitutes are indicated. Necessary antiemetics are prescribed , as well as those drugs that displace radioactive substances from the patient's body. Treatment of radiation sickness is not without substitution and antibiotic therapy.

The heavier the degree of defeat, the less likely that stimulating therapy will have a positive effect. Most likely, there will be a back reaction, namely the depletion of the body will accelerate, thereby bringing the death to a close. In such situations, substitution therapy should be provided.