Each disease is dangerous and insidious in its own way. Unpleasant symptoms along with poor health make us think that the disease has already arrived. Such a phenomenon as radiation sickness is a vivid representative of such ailments. Many have heard about the existence of radiation pathologies and the severity of such consequences for humans. The event in Chernobyl, known throughout the world, in the shortest possible time brought people information about the presence of a serious danger that comes from radioactive radiation. What exactly lies this kind of danger, we learn in this article. How to recognize signs of radiation sickness?
How does the disease arise?
So, radiation sickness is called the response from the human body to the effects of life-threatening radioactive radiation. Under the influence of such an unfavorable factor, processes that are unnatural for normal functioning are triggered in the cells, which entail one or another malfunction in many structures of life. This disease is extremely life-threatening, since it is an irreversible process, the destructive effect of which can only be slightly suspended. Signs of radiation sickness are important to determine in a timely manner.
The effect of radiation
Radioactive radiation affects the body as an aggressive factor that causes concomitant diseases. Its danger directly depends on time and the total area of radiation. In addition, the way in which radiation enters the body also affects. An equally important role is played by the immune resistance of the human body.
Given the degree of damage, the base zones are distinguished, most often undergoing pathological changes as a result of radiation sickness:
- Digestive system.
- Nervous system.
- Spinal cord.
- Circulatory system.
The consequences of radiation pathology in these parts of the body lead to serious dysfunctions that arise in the form of a single complication or can be combined with several. A similar combination is observed with lesions of the third degree. Such consequences can take on very serious forms, even deaths.
Classification of radiation sickness
Depending on the period of exposure to radiation on the body, radiation sickness is divided into the following types:
- Sharp shape.
- Chronic form.
Acute radiation sickness is considered the consequence of a short exposure to radiation, which is over 1 g. Such a dose is a critical form, causing rapid changes in the human body, which mainly lead to serious complications, and sometimes to the death of the patient.
Signs of radiation sickness vary in degrees.
Chronic form
Chronic radiation pathology can occur as a result of prolonged contact with a radiation source, the radiation from which is equal to the limit of up to 1 gram. Often, patients with chronic radiation sickness are employees of nuclear power plants who have to come into contact with radiation. Depending on the degree of radiation penetration, this disease is classified into the following types:
- The internal form that occurs as a consequence of the ingestion of radioactive elements into the body. In this case, radiation enters through the respiratory system or digestive system. This factor is decisive in the treatment, since it is precisely those organs through which the radiation passed that are primarily affected.
- The external form in which a radioactive effect occurs through the skin of a person.
Thus, radiation sickness, the signs of which have already made itself felt, can have different forms, it is classified depending on the severity of the disease.
Radiation sickness: degree of damage to the body
All the possible consequences of radiation sickness, as a rule, lead to serious dysfunctions, which can manifest themselves in the form of single complications or combined with several at once. In total, three degrees of radiation exposure are distinguished:
- First degree. This stage of the lesion is characterized by the minimally dangerous effect of radiation on humans. Symptoms of the disease at this stage are not always manifested. In this case, a complete diagnosis shows only the initial pathological changes in the functioning of vital systems. This stage is successfully corrected by the time of medical treatment. What are the signs of radiation sickness after radiation therapy?
- Second degree. This degree of the disease has more pronounced manifestations in comparison with the previous form. The consequences of such a radioactive exposure can also be quite successfully treated. But against its background, the risk of serious health problems in the future increases several times. Unfortunately, quite often, these problems become cancer.
- Third degree. This form is a serious threat to human life. It is characterized by numerous changes in the normal functioning of the vital systems of the body, which can often lead to his death. The treatment of such conditions is mainly aimed at eliminating the effects of radioactive exposure. It should be noted that the effects of third-degree radiation exposure are almost irreversible. A person can only partially improve his health, but, unfortunately, cases of complete disability are not uncommon.
Signs of radiation sickness
Radiation sickness, the treatment of which has not yet begun, has its own symptoms, which manifest themselves depending on the degree of damage to the body by radiation. So what is the first sign of radiation sickness? About it further.
The main symptoms are the following:
- Against the background of the first degree of the disease, a person has a feeling of nausea, vomiting, dryness or bitterness in his mouth. The development of tachycardia and tremor is not ruled out. All these symptoms are temporary and soon, as a rule, disappear after rehabilitation therapy, as well as the elimination of the radiation source. It can be said that this is the first sign of radiation sickness.
- In the framework of radiation damage of the second degree, a violation in the coordination of movements is often noted along with the presence of skin rashes over the entire body area. Also, a person may begin to have periodic eye spasms, and, in addition, all the symptoms of the first degree are manifested. In the event that the required therapy is not carried out in a timely manner, then the second degree can develop into the next more severe form. Also, patients may begin baldness. The condition may be accompanied by a decrease in reflex reactions. At this stage, blood pressure drops in patients. Signs of radiation sickness vary markedly in degrees.
- Symptoms of the third degree of exposure mainly depend on which organs were affected due to radioactive interference. In such conditions, the patient has all of the above symptoms, and in addition, those of them that are characteristic of concomitant pathology. At this phase of the disease, the state of the immune system noticeably worsens, and, in addition, hemorrhagic syndrome occurs, which is accompanied by severe bleeding. At this stage, complete intoxication of the body occurs. There is an aggravation of the risk of all kinds of infectious diseases.
The fourth degree - against the background of all this, the patient rises in temperature and blood pressure drops. There are signs of acute radiation sickness. Also, patients have a faster pulse and a person begins to overcome weakness. The occurrence of edema in the gum region along with the appearance of necrotic ulcers in the digestive system is not excluded.
These are the main signs of radiation sickness of 1-4 degrees.
Diagnosis of radiation sickness
Diagnosis of radiation pathology is carried out through various medical techniques and methods, which directly depends on the stage at which this dangerous disease occurs. First of all, in such cases it is necessary to collect a detailed medical history. The doctor listens to all patient complaints. After this, the following blood tests are mandatory:
- General clinical analysis.
- Blood for biochemistry.
- Coagulogram.
In addition, in the diagnosis, a study of the bone marrow of the patient is carried out along with its internal organs. Such diagnostics are carried out through ultrasound. In addition, endoscopy and radiography are performed. It is thanks to the blood count that it is possible to determine the severity of the disease. Later, according to a blood test, one can observe the dynamics of the phase changes of the disease.
Preventative measures
It is important to determine the signs of radiation sickness of 1 degree in time. But ideally, it is better not to allow the development of the disease at all.
In order to prevent radiation sickness, constant use of various protection options is required if the person is directly in the radio emission zone. Also, as part of preventive measures, drugs are used, which are radioprotectors, which can significantly reduce the radiosensitivity of the human body. In addition, radioprotectors slow down the course of various radiochemical reactions. It should be noted that the use of such drugs occurs half an hour before contact with radiation. The direct protective properties of such drugs are valid for five hours.
And it is important to remember that signs of death from acute radiation sickness are indomitable vomiting, diarrhea with blood, unconsciousness, general cramps, and then death.
Radiation sickness treatment
Unfortunately, no one is immune from radiation sickness. This disease is diagnosed in medical practice not only in adults, but also in young children. The reasons for its occurrence are always very different, ranging from ordinary food products taken from the Chernobyl zone, ending with radiation exposure in an industrial environment. Timely diagnosis of the disease often saves the lives of many people, and, on the contrary, delaying treatment often ends in death. As a rule, the main methods of treatment of radiation pathology are directed to the following methods:
- The complete picture of the defeat of the internal organs is determined. It is on the basis of such an examination that complex therapy is prescribed, which is aimed at restoring, for example, the organs of the digestive, hematopoietic or nervous system. Much, as already noted, depends on when radiation sickness was detected, its symptoms and periods.
- Stage of treatment. Therapy of radiation sickness must be carried out under the strict supervision of a doctor and should be aimed at removing all kinds of radioactive substances from the patient's body. Any prescribed medications should be taken by the patient on time and strictly according to the prescription, because this disease only worsens without proper treatment. That is, the longer a person does not treat radiation sickness, the higher the likelihood of developing even more serious health consequences.
- Stimulation and increase immunity. Regardless of the severity of radiation exposure, the timing of a patient's further recovery directly depends on how quickly his immunity is able to restore his former health. Therefore, the stimulation of immunity is considered an extremely important stage of treatment aimed at a quick recovery. For these purposes, immunostimulants are used in medical practice, and, in addition, they use a vitamin diet, which is aimed at strengthening the immune system.
- Prevention of the disease implies the subsequent complete exclusion from the patient's life of any factors capable of exerting a radioactive effect on his body. As part of the preventive action, it is possible to call a change of place of work along with meeting the deadlines for performing X-ray examinations, which should be carried out no more than once a year. It is important to note that women should completely exclude x-rays in cases of pregnancy.
Traditional methods of treatment of radiation pathology
Folk remedies for the treatment of radiation pathologies are often used as part of a comprehensive get rid of the disease along with the main drug therapy. In fact, there are a lot of ways to treat radiation sickness, but it’s impractical to list all modern techniques and methods, and, in addition, to name specific medicines, because only the attending physician should prescribe rehabilitation treatment.
So, as already noted, folk remedies for eliminating the signs of the course of acute radiation sickness are often used as part of a comprehensive treatment along with the main drug therapy. Alternative therapy is aimed at removing radionuclides from the body, in addition, the immune system is stimulated. For all these purposes, the popular sphere of medicine has a whole arsenal of excellent tools that can have a mild effect on the whole body, allowing you to use these methods for a long time. Alternative treatment is quite effective and is considered a great way to prevent.
The most proven tools
In fact, there are a lot of various recipes, consider some of the most proven and effective ones:
- Tincture, prepared on the basis of needles. Using this tincture, you can neutralize the radioactive effect, that is, remove radionuclides from the human body. Such an infusion is prepared on the basis of half a liter of boiled water. Five tablespoons of frayed needles of needles are also taken. Tincture to a boil is not necessary. It is required to be insisted within one day. The prepared medicine is required to be drunk during the day in full. The procedure is repeated a day later for one month.
- Sea buckthorn oil. Healing sea buckthorn oil is perfect not only for preventive measures, but also for treatment. This product has a pronounced anti-radiation effect. The essence of the application is as follows: take one teaspoon of sea buckthorn oil three times a day for exactly one month.
The article deals with radiation sickness, signs, symptoms, consequences are presented.