Radiation sickness gr. How is radiation sickness treated?

Radiation sickness is the body's reaction to the effects of radioactive radiation. Under its influence, unnatural processes are launched in the body, which lead to failures in many body systems.

The disease is considered very dangerous because it provokes irreversible processes. Modern medicine can only stop their destructive development in the body.

The degree of radiation damage depends on the area of the irradiated body surface, the time of exposure, the method of penetration of radiation, and also on the body’s immune response.

There are several forms of the disease: those that are formed as a result of uniform irradiation, as well as with narrowly localized effects of radiation on certain part body or organ. In addition, there are transitional and combined forms of the disease, in acute and chronic course.

Penetrating radiation provokes oxidative reactions in cells. This depletes the system antioxidant protection, and the cells die. This leads to a gross disruption of metabolic processes.

Considering the degree of radiation damage, it is possible to determine the main systems that are most susceptible to pathological effects. The gastrointestinal tract, circulatory and central systems are primarily affected. nervous system, spinal cord. By affecting these organs and systems, radiation causes serious dysfunction. The latter can manifest themselves as single complications or in combination with others. At complex symptoms Usually they talk about third degree radiation damage. Such pathologies usually end in death.

Radiation sickness can occur in acute and chronic forms, depending on the absolute value of the radiation load and the duration of its exposure. The peculiar mechanism of development of acute and chronic forms of the disease excludes the possibility of transition from one form of the disease to another.

The conditional boundary that separates the acute form from the chronic form is the accumulation over a limited period (1 hour - 3 days) of a total tissue dose of radiation, which is equivalent to the effect of 1 Gy of external penetrating radiation.

The type of radiation also plays an important role in the development of radiation sickness. Each of them is characterized by the characteristics of damage to various organs and systems. Let's take a closer look:

Alpha radiation. It is characteristic of him high density ionization, low penetrating ability. Therefore, sources emitting a-waves have a spatially limited damaging effect.
Beta radiation. Has weak penetrating and ionizing ability. Can affect tissue directly in areas of the body that are closely adjacent to the radiation source.
Gamma rays and x-rays. Causes deep damage to all tissues in the area of the radiation source.
Neutron radiation. It has different penetrating abilities, so it affects organs heterogeneously.

In the case of irradiation with a dose of 50-100 Gy, damage to the central nervous system plays a major role in the development of the disease. In this case, death is usually observed 4-8 days after radiation damage.

When irradiated with a dosage of 10-50 Gy, symptoms of damage to the digestive organs come to the fore. In this case, the mucous membrane of the small intestine is rejected, and death occurs within 14 days.

At lower doses of radiation (1-10 Gy), hematological syndromes, bleeding, and complications of infectious origin are observed primarily.

Main causes of radiation sickness

The development of the disease can be caused by external and internal radiation. Radiation can enter the body through inhaled air, through the skin, gastrointestinal tract, mucous membranes, and also as a result of injections.

Not large doses Ionizing radiation from various sources (natural and man-made) affects humans constantly. But at the same time, the development of radiation sickness does not occur. It occurs in humans under the influence of radioactive radiation received in a dosage of 1-10 Gy or higher. With lower doses of radiation (0.1-1 Gy), preclinical manifestations of the disease may occur.

There are two main causes of radiation sickness:

Single (short-term) irradiation high level during various man-made disasters in nuclear power, conducting experiments, using nuclear weapons, treating oncological and hematological diseases.
Long-term training with small doses of radiation. Usually observed among health workers in departments radiation therapy and diagnostics (radiology, x-ray), as well as patients who need regular radionuclide and x-ray examinations.

Symptoms of radiation sickness

The symptoms of the disease depend, first of all, on the dose of radiation received, as well as on the severity of the disease. There are several main phases of radiation sickness, which are characterized by certain symptoms:

The first phase is the primary general reaction. It is observed in all people who have received radiation dosages above 2 Gy. The manifestation period depends on the radiation dose and, as a rule, is calculated in minutes and hours. Characteristic symptoms: nausea, vomiting, feeling of bitterness and dry mouth, weakness, fatigue, headache, drowsiness. A state of shock often occurs, which is accompanied by a drop in blood pressure, loss of consciousness, fever, and diarrhea. Such symptoms of radiation sickness usually appear when exposed to a dose of more than 10 Gy. Sometimes redness of the skin with a bluish tint appears in areas of the body that have been irradiated with a dose of 6-10 Gy. Patients may experience variability in pulse and pressure with a tendency to decrease, general muscle tone and tendon reflexes decrease, and fingers tremble. Developed inhibition of the cerebral cortex also appears. During the first day, the number of lymphocytes in the blood decreases in patients. This process is associated with cell death.
The second phase is hidden or latent, in which clinical well-being is noted. Usually occurs after the symptoms of the primary reaction disappear 3-4 days after radiation damage. Can last up to 32 days. The patients' well-being improves significantly; only some instability in pulse rate and blood pressure levels may persist. If the dose of radiation received was more than 10 Gy, then this phase may be absent and the first flows into the third. On days 12-16, patients who have received more than three Grays of radiation begin to experience baldness. Also during this period, various skin lesions may occur. Their prognosis is unfavorable and indicates a high dose of radiation. In the second phase, neurological symptoms may become clear: movements are impaired, eyeballs tremble, reflexes decrease, mild pyramidal insufficiency. By the end of the second phase, blood clotting slows down and the stability of the vascular wall decreases.
Third phase - bright severe symptoms . The timing of onset and intensity of symptoms depend on the dose of ionizing radiation received. The duration of the period ranges from 7-20 days. Damage to the circulatory system, suppression of the immune system, hemorrhagic syndrome, development of infections, and autointoxication come to the fore. By the beginning of this phase, the patient’s condition deteriorates greatly: weakness increases, rapid pulse is noted, fever decreases. arterial pressure. The gums begin to bleed and swelling appears. The mucous membranes of the oral cavity and digestive organs are also affected, and necrotic ulcers appear. With a small dose of radiation, the mucous membrane is restored almost completely over time. With a large dose of radiation, inflammation of the small intestine occurs. It is characterized by diarrhea, bloating, soreness in iliac region. In the second month of radiation sickness, inflammation of the esophagus and stomach often occurs. Infections, as a rule, manifest themselves in the form of sore throats of an erosive and ulcerative nature, pneumonia. Hematopoiesis is inhibited and the immunobiological reactivity of the body is suppressed. Hemorrhagic syndrome manifests itself in the form of numerous hemorrhages that appear in various places such as skin, heart muscle, digestive organs, central nervous system, respiratory mucosa, urinary tract. Extensive bleeding is usually observed. Neurological symptoms manifest themselves in the form of general weakness, adynamia, decreased muscle tone, blackouts, growth of tendon reflexes, meningeal manifestations. Signs of increasing edema of the brain and membranes are often detected.
The fourth phase is the period of restoration of structure and functions. The patients' condition improves, hemorrhagic manifestations disappear, damaged areas of the skin and mucous membranes begin to heal, and new hair grows. Recovery period usually lasts about six months. With large doses of radiation, recovery can take up to two years. After the end of the fourth phase, we can talk about full recovery. True, in most cases, after irradiation and radiation sickness, residual manifestations remain. The recovery process is accompanied by disruptions in heart rhythm and surges in blood pressure.

Radiation sickness often causes complications such as eye cataracts, leukemia, and neuroses of various types.

Classification of radiation sickness

The classification of the disease is based on the criteria for the duration of the lesion and the dosage of ionizing radiation. With a single massive exposure to radiation, acute radiation sickness develops. Long-term, repeated exposure to relatively small doses results in a chronic disease.

The degree of radiation sickness and the clinical form of damage are determined by the dosage of radiation received:

Radiation injury. It can occur with short-term, simultaneous exposure to radiation with a dosage of less than 1 Gy. Pathological disorders are reversible.
Bone marrow form (typical). Develops with short-term simultaneous irradiation of 1-6 Gy. The mortality rate is 50%. It can have four degrees: mild (1-2 Gy), moderate (2-4 Gy), severe (4-6 Gy), extremely severe (6-10 Gy).
Gastrointestinal form. The result of one-time short-term exposure to radiation of 10-20 Gy. It is characterized by severe enteritis, hemorrhagic syndrome, fever, infectious and septic complications.
Vascular (toxemic) form. The result of simultaneous irradiation with a dose of 20-80 Gy. Hemodynamic disturbances and severe intoxication are noted.
Cerebral form. Develops as a result of exposure to a dose of more than 80 Gy. Death occurs on the first or third day. The cause of death is cerebral edema.

Chronic radiation sickness occurs in three periods: formation, recovery, consequences (outcome, complications). The period of formation of pathologies lasts about 1-3 years. At this time, a clinical syndrome of varying severity develops. The recovery period usually begins after the intensity of radiation has decreased or the radiation exposure has completely stopped.

The outcome of chronic radiation sickness can be recovery, partial recovery, stabilization favorable changes or their progression.

Features of treatment of radiation sickness

When exposed to radiation with a dose higher than 2.5 Gy, fatal outcomes are possible. A dose of 4 Gy is considered average lethal for humans. Clinical recovery is possible with correct and timely treatment of radiation sickness with irradiation of 5-10 Gy. However, in the vast majority of cases, exposure to a dose of 6 Gy is fatal.

Treatment of the disease consists of ensuring an aseptic regime in specially equipped wards, preventing infectious complications and relieving symptoms. When fever and agranulocytosis increase, antibiotics and antiviral drugs are used.

To relieve nausea and vomiting, Aeron, Aminazine, and Atropine are prescribed. In case of dehydration, saline solution is infused.

In case of severe radiation, detoxification therapy is carried out during the first day with Cordiamine, Mezaton, Norepinephrine, and kinin inhibitors.

To enhance anti-infective therapy, hyperimmune plasma and gamma globulin are prescribed. A system of measures aimed at preventing internal and external infections uses isolators different types with the supply of sterile air, sterile materials, food. Skin and mucous membranes should be treated with antiseptics. To suppress the activity of intestinal flora, non-absorbable antibiotics are used - Gentamicin, Kanamycin, Neomycin, Ristomycin.

Replacement of platelet deficiency is carried out by introducing platelet mass obtained from one donor after irradiation with a dose of 15 Gy. According to indications, transfusions of washed fresh red blood cells may be prescribed.

To combat bleeding, hemostatic drugs of general and local action are used. Medicines that strengthen vascular wall- Dicinon, Rutin, ascorbic acid, steroid hormones, and also increase blood clotting - Fibrinogen.

Local damage to the mucous membrane requires special care and treatment with bactericidal mucolytic drugs. To eliminate skin lesions, aerosols and collagen films, moisturizing dressings with antiseptics and tannins, as well as ointment dressings with hydrocortisone and its derivatives are used. Unhealed wounds and the ulcers are excised with further plastic surgery.

With the development of necrotic enteropathy, Biseptol, antibiotics that sterilize the gastrointestinal tract, are used. Complete fasting is also indicated. The use of boiled water and anti-diarrhea medications is allowed. In particularly severe cases it is used parenteral nutrition.

In case of high radiation doses, no contraindications and the presence of a suitable donor, transplantation is recommended bone marrow. Usually the indication is irreversible depression of hematopoiesis, deep suppression of immunological reactivity.

Consequences and complications of radiation sickness

The prognosis of the disease is related to the massiveness of the radiation dose and the duration of exposure. Patients who survive the critical period of 12 weeks after irradiation have a chance of favorable outcome.

However, even after non-lethal radiation injury victims can often subsequently develop various complications - hemoblastosis, malignant formations different localization. Loss often occurs reproductive function, and the offspring may exhibit various genetic abnormalities.

Latent chronic symptoms may also become aggravated. infectious diseases, blood pathologies. Deviations also occur in the field of ophthalmology - the lens and vitreous body become cloudy. There are various dystrophic processes in organism.

Maximum protection from the consequences of radiation sickness is possible only with timely access to a specialized clinic.

How to treat radiation sickness - watch the video:

Radiation sickness is a serious illness manifested by a whole “bouquet” of symptoms. Effective treatment The disease does not currently exist, and therapy is limited to suppressing symptoms. Therefore, it is important to take precautions near radiation sources and try to protect yourself as much as possible from ionizing radiation.

When exposed to human body ionizing rays in large doses can cause radiation sickness - damage to cellular structures, tissues and liquid environments, occurring in acute or chronic form. In our time acute illness is relatively rare - this is only possible in accidents and a single high-power external exposure. 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, therefore clinical picture diseases are varied and not always the same.

ICD 10 code

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

ICD-10 code

Z57.1 Adverse effects of occupational radiation

Causes of radiation sickness

An acute form of radiation sickness in humans occurs with short-term (several minutes, hours, or 1-2 days) irradiation of the body at a dosage above 1 g (100 Rad.). Such exposure can be obtained while in the area of radiation exposure or during radioactive fallout, when malfunction with strong sources of radiation, in accidents involving the release of radiation, as well as when using radiation therapy for therapeutic purposes.

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

Biogeochemical anomalies and pollution play a major role in the occurrence of the disease. environment due to a nuclear explosion, leakage of nuclear waste, etc. 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 chain reaction, causing the appearance of new isotopes. A clearly defined severe course of radiation injury is observed after explosions or accidents at nuclear or power plants.

Pathogenesis

Radiation sickness can occur acutely (subacutely) or in a chronic form, which depends on the duration and magnitude of the training exposure, which determines the course of the changes that occur. The characteristic etiology of the appearance 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, α-rays have a high ionization density and low penetrating property, which is why sources of such radiation have a small spatial damaging effect.

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

At the same time, γ-rays and X-rays lead to deep damage to tissues that are exposed to them.

Neutron rays affect organs unevenly because their penetrating properties, as well as linear energy loss, can be different.

Symptoms of radiation sickness

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

when exposed to 1-2 Gy they talk about 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 - an extremely severe injury.

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

Diagnosis of radiation sickness

When diagnosing a patient with body irradiation, it is first necessary to find out the dosage of rays to which the victim was exposed. Depending on this, further activities will subsequently 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 learn 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 again within several days.
Important information can provide a dosimeter - a special device that measures the amount of absorbed radiation.

Blood tests can provide the following information:

With light irradiation (1-2 Gy):

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

With average irradiation (2-4 Gy):

lymphocytes – 6-20%;
leukocytes – 2000-3000;

For severe radiation (4-6 Gy):

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

For extremely severe radiation exposure (more than 6 Gy):

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

Additionally, the following may be assigned helper methods studies that are not fundamental, but are of some value in clarifying the diagnosis.

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

If necessary, differential diagnosis is carried out, although if there is reliable data on the fact of exposure, this point is often skipped.

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

Treatment of radiation sickness

In the case of 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 processing wound surfaces, cleansing the stomach and intestines, eliminating vomiting, normalizing blood pressure.

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, as well as forced diuresis. If the gastrointestinal tract is affected in the first few days, dietary restrictions are prescribed (switching to parenteral nutrition is possible), and treatment of the oral cavity with antiseptic liquids.

To eliminate hemorrhages, blood products, platelets or red blood cells are administered. Blood and plasma transfusions are possible.

Antibacterial drugs are used to prevent infectious diseases.

For chronic radiation injury, symptomatic therapy is prescribed.

First aid for radiation sickness is carried out in stages.

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

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

When an infection develops, intravenous administration of large doses of antibiotics is used - ceporin, methicillin, kanamycin. Often this treatment is supplemented with biological products - antistaphylococcal, hyperimmune or antipseudomonas plasma. As a rule, antibacterial agents exhibit their effect within 2 days. If the positive effect does not occur, then the drug is replaced with another, stronger one.

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

Traditional treatment

Traditional methods used to eliminate signs of radiation sickness include the use garlic tincture, nettle leaves, berries chokeberry, eleutherococcus, sea buckthorn berries, ginseng, coconut, rose hips, grape and currant leaves, quince, seaweed, bee products, 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 juice from the lower leaves of aloe, 500 g of flower honey and 200 g of ground calamus rhizome. Leave the mixture in the refrigerator for 2 weeks, then consume 1 tbsp. l. 1 hour before meals three times a day, washed down with milk.
600 ml water and 3 tbsp. l. Boil dry raw oregano and leave overnight (you can use a thermos). In the morning, filter and drink 1/3-1/2 cup three times a day. You are allowed to 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.
1 tbsp. l. mix chagi 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. l. half an hour before meals.
Pour 1 cup of flax seeds into 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.
2 tbsp. l. lingonberry berries Boil for 10 minutes in 500 ml of water, then leave for 1 hour covered. Take 250 ml twice a day after meals.

Herbal treatment cannot be done on its own. Such treatment should only be combined with medication traditional therapy, which is prescribed by a medical specialist.

Homeopathy for radiation sickness

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

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

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

However, it should be taken into account that there is no direct evidence of the effectiveness of these drugs yet, so the decision to use them is quite risky. Before you start taking homeopathic remedies, consult your 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 exposure. Victims who survived critical period(which is 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 may develop malignant tumors in almost any organs and tissues, and the next generation has high risk development of genetic disorders.

Preventive measures aimed against radiation injury may involve installing protective elements on the torso or individual parts of the body (so-called shields). Employees of hazardous enterprises undergo certain training and wear special clothing. Also, people at risk may be prescribed drugs that reduce the sensitivity of tissues to radioactive rays. It is mandatory to take vitamins B, as well as C and P.

People who have regular contact with sources of radiation should periodically visit preventive examinations and take a blood test.

Radiation sickness is a difficult disease that cannot be cured on your own. And it’s hardly worth the risk, because the consequences of such a pathology are very serious. Therefore, if there is any suspicion of radiation exposure, even if there are no symptoms of damage, you must consult a doctor and undergo the necessary examinations.

What is Radiation Sickness
Symptoms of Radiation Sickness
Diagnosis of Radiation Sickness
Treatment of Radiation Sickness
Which doctors should you contact if you have radiation sickness?

What is Radiation Sickness

Radiation sickness is formed under the influence of radioactive radiation in the dose range of 1-10 Gy or more. Some changes observed during irradiation at doses of 0.1-1 Gy are regarded as preclinical stages of the disease. There are two main forms of radiation sickness, which form after general, relatively uniform irradiation, as well as with very narrowly localized irradiation of a certain segment of the body or organ. Combined and transitional forms are also noted.

Pathogenesis (what happens?) during Radiation sickness

Radiation sickness is divided into acute (subacute) and chronic forms depending on the time distribution and absolute value of radiation exposure, which determine the dynamics of developing changes. The uniqueness of the mechanism of development of acute and chronic radiation sickness excludes the transition of one form to another. The conventional limit that delimits acute or chronic forms is the accumulation over a short period of time (from 1 hour to 1-3 days) of a total tissue dose equivalent to that from exposure to 1 Gy of external penetrating radiation.

The development of the leading clinical syndromes of acute radiation sickness depends on external radiation doses, which determine the variety of lesions observed. In addition, the type of radiation also plays an important role, each of which has certain characteristics, which are associated with differences in their damaging effect on organs and systems. Thus, a-radiation is characterized by a high ionization density and low penetrating ability, and therefore these sources cause a damaging effect limited in space.

Beta radiation, which has weak penetrating and ionizing ability, causes tissue damage directly in areas of the body adjacent to the radioactive source. On the contrary, y-radiation and x-rays cause deep damage to all tissues in the area of their action. Neutron radiation causes significant heterogeneity in the damage to organs and tissues, since their penetrating ability, as well as linear energy losses along the path of the neutron beam in tissues, are different.

In the case of irradiation with a dosage of 50-100 Gy, damage to the central nervous system determines the leading role in the mechanism of development of the disease. With this form of the disease, death occurs, as a rule, on the 4-8th day after exposure to radiation.

When irradiated in doses from 10 to 50 Gy, symptoms of damage to the gastrointestinal tract with rejection of the small intestinal mucosa, leading to death within 2 weeks, come to the fore in the mechanism of development of the main manifestations of the radiation-induced clinical picture of the disease.

Under the influence of a lower dose of radiation (from 1 to 10 Gy), symptoms typical of acute radiation sickness are clearly visible, the main manifestation of which is hematological syndrome, accompanied by bleeding and all kinds of complications of an infectious nature.

Damage to the gastrointestinal tract, various structures damage to both the brain and spinal cord, as well as the hematopoietic organs, is characteristic of exposure to the above radiation doses. The severity of such changes and the speed of development of disorders depend on the quantitative parameters of exposure.

Symptoms of Radiation Sickness

In the formation and development of the disease, the following phases are clearly distinguished: Phase I - primary general reaction; Phase II - apparent clinical well-being (skeletal, or latent, phase); Phase III - pronounced symptoms of the disease; Phase IV is the period of restoration of structure and function.

In the event that acute radiation sickness occurs in typical form, in its clinical picture four degrees of severity can be distinguished. Symptoms characteristic of each degree of acute radiation sickness are determined by the dose of radioactive radiation that the patient received:

1) mild degree occurs when irradiated at a dose of 1 to 2 Gy;

2) moderate severity - the radiation dose ranges from 2 to 4 Gy;

3) severe - the radiation dose ranges from 4 to 6 Gy;

4) extremely severe degree occurs when irradiated at a dose exceeding 6 Gy.

If the patient received a dose of radioactive radiation in a dose of less than 1 Gy, then we have to talk about the so-called radiation injury, which occurs without any obvious symptoms diseases.

Severe disease is accompanied by recovery processes that last a long time over 1-2 years. In cases where any changes remain that become persistent, in the future we should talk about the consequences of acute radiation sickness, and not about the transition of the acute form of the disease to the chronic one.

Phase I of the primary general reaction is observed in all individuals when exposed to doses exceeding 2 Gy. The time it appears depends on the dose of penetrating radiation and is calculated in minutes and hours. Characteristic features reactions are considered nausea, vomiting, a feeling of bitterness or dry mouth, weakness, fatigue, drowsiness, headache.

Shock-like conditions may develop, accompanied by a decrease in blood pressure, loss of consciousness, possibly an increase in temperature, as well as diarrhea. These symptoms usually occur with radiation doses exceeding 10 Gy. Transient redness of the skin with a slightly bluish tint is detected only in areas of the body that have been irradiated at a dose exceeding 6-10 Gy.

Patients have some variability in pulse and blood pressure with a tendency to decrease, and are characterized by a uniform general decrease in muscle tone, trembling of the fingers, and decreased tendon reflexes. Changes

electroencephalograms indicate moderate diffuse inhibition of the cerebral cortex.

During the first days after irradiation in peripheral blood Neutrophilic leukocytosis is observed with the absence of noticeable rejuvenation in the formula. Subsequently, over the next 3 days, the level of lymphocytes in the blood decreases in patients, this is associated with the death of these cells. The number of lymphocytes 48-72 hours after irradiation corresponds to the received radiation dose. The number of platelets, erythrocytes and hemoglobin in these periods after irradiation does not change against the background of myelokaryocytopenia.

A day later, the myelogram reveals an almost complete absence of such young forms as myeloblasts, erythroblasts, a decrease in the content of pronormoblasts, basophilic normoblasts, promyelocytes, and myelocytes.

In phase I of the disease, at radiation doses exceeding 3 Gy, some biochemical changes are detected: a decrease in serum albumin, an increase in blood glucose levels with a change in the sugar curve. In more severe cases, moderate transient bilirubinemia is detected, thereby indicating metabolic disorders in the liver, in particular a decrease in the absorption of amino acids and increased protein breakdown.

Phase II - the phase of imaginary clinical well-being, the so-called hidden, or latent phase, is noted after the disappearance of signs of the primary reaction 3-4 days after irradiation and lasts for 14-32 days. The well-being of patients during this period improves; only some lability in the pulse rate and blood pressure level remains. If the radiation dose exceeds 10 Gy, the first phase of acute radiation sickness directly passes into the third.

From the 12th to 17th day, in patients exposed to radiation at a dose exceeding 3 Gy, baldness is detected and progresses. During these periods, other skin lesions, which are sometimes prognostically unfavorable and indicate a high dose of radiation.

In phase II, neurological symptoms become more pronounced (impaired movements, coordination, involuntary trembling of the eyeballs, organic movements, symptoms of mild pyramidal insufficiency, decreased reflexes). The EEG shows the appearance of slow waves and their synchronization with the pulse rhythm.

In the peripheral blood, by the 2-4th day of the disease, the number of leukocytes decreases to 4 H 109/l due to a decrease in the number of neutrophils (first decrease). Lymphocytopenia persists and progresses somewhat. Thrombocytopenia and reticulocytopenia appear on days 8-15. The number of red blood cells does not decrease significantly. By the end of phase II, a slowdown in blood clotting is detected, as well as a decrease in the stability of the vascular wall.

The myelogram reveals a decrease in the number of more immature and mature cells. Moreover, the content of the latter decreases in proportion to the time elapsed after irradiation. By the end of phase II, only mature neutrophils and single polychromatophilic normoblasts are found in the bone marrow.

The results of biochemical blood tests indicate a slight decrease in the albumin fraction of serum proteins, normalization of blood sugar and serum bilirubin levels.

In phase III, which occurs with pronounced clinical symptoms, the timing of onset and the degree of intensity of individual clinical syndromes depend on the dose of ionizing radiation; The duration of the phase ranges from 7 to 20 days.

Damage to the blood system is dominant in this phase of the disease. Along with this, immunosuppression, hemorrhagic syndrome, the development of infections and autointoxication occur.

By the end of the latent phase of the disease, the condition of the patients deteriorates significantly, resembling a septic state with characteristic symptoms: increasing general weakness, rapid pulse, fever, low blood pressure. Pronounced swelling and bleeding of the gums. In addition, the mucous membranes of the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract are affected, which manifests itself in the appearance of a large number of necrotic ulcers. Ulcerative stomatitis occurs when irradiated in doses of more than 1 Gy on the oral mucosa and lasts about 1-1.5 months. The mucous membrane almost always recovers completely. With high doses of radiation, severe inflammation of the small intestine develops, characterized by diarrhea, fever, bloating and pain in the ileal region. At the beginning of the 2nd month of the disease, radiation inflammation of the stomach and esophagus may occur. Infections most often manifest themselves in the form of ulcerative-erosive sore throats and pneumonia. The leading role in their development is played by autoinfection, which acquires pathogenic significance against the background of a pronounced inhibition of hematopoiesis and suppression of the immunobiological reactivity of the body.

Hemorrhagic syndrome manifests itself in the form of hemorrhages, which can be localized in completely different places: the heart muscle, skin, mucous membrane of the respiratory and urinary tract, gastrointestinal tract, central nervous system, etc. The patient experiences heavy bleeding.

Neurological symptoms are a consequence of general intoxication, infection, and anemia. There are increasing general lethargy, adynamia, blackout, meningeal symptoms, increased tendon reflexes, decreased muscle tone. Usually, signs of increasing edema of the brain and its membranes are detected. Slow pathological waves appear on the EEG.

Diagnosis of Radiation Sickness

The hemogram shows a second sharp decrease in the number of leukocytes due to neutrophils (preserved neutrophils with pathological granularity), lymphocytosis, plasmatization, thrombocytopenia, anemia, reticulocytopenia, and a significant increase in ESR.

The beginning of regeneration is confirmed by an increase in the number of leukocytes, the appearance of reticulocytes in the hemogram, as well as a sharp shift in the leukocyte formula to the left.

Bone marrow picture lethal doses irradiation remains devastated throughout the entire III phase of the disease. At lower doses, after a 7-12-day period of aplasia, blast elements appear in the myelogram, and then the number of cells of all generations increases. With moderate severity of the process in the bone marrow from the first days of phase III against the background of a sharp decrease total number myelokaryocytes show signs of hematopoietic repair.

Biochemical studies reveal hypoproteinemia, hypoalbuminemia, slight increase level residual nitrogen, decrease in the amount of blood chlorides.

Phase IV - the immediate recovery phase - begins with normalization

temperatures, improvements general condition sick.

If there has been a severe course of acute radiation sickness, patients will experience a long-term pastiness of the face and limbs. The remaining hair becomes dull, dry and brittle; new hair growth at the site of baldness resumes 3-4 months after irradiation.

Pulse and blood pressure normalize, sometimes moderate hypotension remains for a long time.

For some time, hand tremors, static loss of coordination, a tendency to increase tendon and periostenal reflexes, and isolated unstable focal neurological symptoms. The latter are regarded as a result functional disorders cerebral circulation, as well as neuronal exhaustion against the background of general asthenia.

There is a gradual recovery of peripheral blood parameters. The number of leukocytes and platelets increases and by the end of the 2nd month reaches lower limit norms. IN leukocyte formula there is a sharp shift to the left to promyelocytes and myeloblasts, the content of band forms reaches 15-25%. The number of monocytes is normalized. By the end of the 2-3rd month of the disease, reticulocytosis is detected.

Until the 5-6th week of the disease, anemia continues to increase with phenomena of anisocytosis of erythrocytes due to macroforms.

The myelogram reveals signs of pronounced restoration of hematopoietic cells: an increase in the total number of myelokaryocytes, the predominance of immature cells of erythro- and leukopoiesis over mature ones, the appearance of megakaryocytes, an increase in the number of cells in the mitotic phase. Biochemical parameters are normalized.

Characteristic long-term consequences of severe acute radiation sickness are the development of cataracts, moderate leuko-, neutro- and thrombocytopenia, persistent focal neurological symptoms, and sometimes endocrine changes.

V persons exposed to radiation, in the long term, leukemia develops 5-7 times
more often.

The mechanism of development of the observed changes in hematopoiesis at various stages of acute radiation sickness is associated with different radiosensitivity of individual cellular elements. Thus, blast forms and lymphocytes of all generations are highly radiosensitive. Promyelocytes, basophilic erythroblasts and immature monocytoid cells are relatively radiosensitive. Mature cells are highly radioresistant.

On the first day after total irradiation at a dose exceeding 1 Gy, massive death of lymphoid and blast cells occurs, and with an increase in the irradiation dose, more mature cellular elements of hematopoiesis occur.

At the same time, the massive death of immature cells does not affect the number of granulocytes and erythrocytes in peripheral blood. The only exceptions are lymphocytes, which themselves are highly radiosensitive. The neutrophilic leukocytosis that occurs is mainly redistributive in nature.

Simultaneously with interphase death, the mitotic activity of hematopoietic cells is suppressed while maintaining their ability to mature and enter the peripheral blood. As a result, myelokaryocytopenia develops.

Severe neutropenia in phase III of the disease is a reflection of the devastation of the bone marrow and the almost complete absence of all granulocytic elements in it.

At approximately the same time, a maximum decrease in the number of platelets in the peripheral blood is observed.

The number of red blood cells decreases even more slowly, since their lifespan is about 120 days. Even if the flow of red blood cells into the blood completely stops, their number will decrease daily by approximately 0.85%. Therefore, a decrease in the number of erythrocytes and Hb content is usually detected only in phase IV - the recovery phase, when the natural loss of erythrocytes is already significant and has not yet been compensated by newly formed ones.

Treatment of Radiation Sickness

In case of irradiation at a dose of 2.5 Gy or higher, deaths. A dose of 4 ± 1 Gy is approximately considered the average lethal dose for humans, although in cases of irradiation at a dose of 5-10 Gy, clinical recovery with proper and timely treatment is still possible. When irradiated at a dose of more than 6 Gy, the number of survivors is practically reduced to zero.

To establish the correct tactics for managing patients, as well as predicting acute radiation sickness in exposed patients, dosimetric measurements are carried out, which indirectly indicate the quantitative parameters of radioactive exposure on tissue.

The dose of ionizing radiation absorbed by the patient can be determined on the basis of chromosomal analysis of hematopoietic cells, determined in the first 2 days after irradiation. During this period, per 100 peripheral blood lymphocytes, chromosomal abnormalities amount to 22-45 fragments in the first degree of severity, 45-90 fragments in the second degree, 90-135 fragments in the third degree, and more than 135 fragments in the fourth, extremely severe degree of the disease.

In phase I of the disease, aeron is used to relieve nausea and prevent vomiting; in cases of repeated and indomitable vomiting, aminazine and atropine are prescribed. In case of dehydration, saline infusions are necessary.

In case of severe acute radiation sickness, during the first 2-3 days after irradiation, the doctor carries out detoxification therapy (for example, polyglucin). They are used well to combat collapse known remedies- cardamine, mesaton, norepinephrine, as well as kinin inhibitors: trasylol or contrical.

Prevention and treatment of infectious complications

The system of measures aimed at preventing external and internal infections uses isolators of various types with a supply of sterile air, sterile medical materials, care items and food. The skin and visible mucous membranes are treated with antiseptics; non-absorbable antibiotics (gentamicin, kanamycin, neomycin, polymyxin-M, ristomycin) are used to suppress the activity of intestinal flora. At the same time, large doses of nystatin (5 million units or more) are prescribed orally. In cases where the level of leukocytes decreases below 1000 per 1 mm3, it is advisable prophylactic use antibiotics.

When treating infectious complications, large doses of intravenously administered broad-spectrum antibacterial drugs (gentamicin, ceporin, kanamycin, carbenicillin, oxacillin, methicillin, lincomycin) are prescribed. When a generalized fungal infection occurs, amphotericin B is used.

It is advisable to enhance antibacterial therapy with biological drugs of targeted action (antistaphylococcal plasma and γ-globulin, antipseudomonal plasma, hyperimmune plasma against Escherichia coli).

If it is not observed within 2 days positive effect, the doctor changes the antibiotics and then prescribes them based on the results bacteriological cultures blood, urine, feces, sputum, smears from the oral mucosa, as well as external local infectious foci, which are made on the day of admission and then every other day. In cases of viral infection, acyclovir can be used with effect.

The fight against bleeding includes the use of general and local hemostatic agents. In many cases, agents that strengthen the vascular wall (dicinone, steroid hormones, ascorbic acid, rutin) and increase blood clotting (E-AKK, fibrinogen) are recommended.

In the vast majority of cases, thrombocytopenic bleeding can be stopped by transfusion of an adequate amount of freshly prepared donor platelets obtained by thrombocytopenia. Platelet transfusions are indicated in cases of deep thrombocytopenia (less than 20 109/l), occurring with hemorrhages on the facial skin, upper half torso, on the fundus, with local visceral bleeding.

Anemic syndrome rarely develops in acute radiation sickness. Transfusions of red blood cells are prescribed only when the hemoglobin level decreases below 80 g/l.

Transfusions of freshly prepared red blood cells, washed or thawed red blood cells are used. In rare cases, there may be a need for individual selection not only for the ABO system and Rh factor, but also for other erythrocyte antigens (Kell, Duffy, Kidd).

Treatment of ulcerative-necrotic lesions of the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract.

In the prevention of ulcerative-necrotic stomatitis, rinsing the mouth after meals (with a 2% soda solution or a 0.5% novocaine solution), as well as antiseptics (1% hydrogen peroxide, 1% solution 1) are important: 5000 furatsilin; 0.1% gramicidin, 10% water-alcohol emulsion of propolis, lysozyme). In cases of candidiasis, nystatin and levorin are used.

One of the severe complications of agranulocytosis and direct exposure to radiation is necrotizing enteropathy. The use of biseptol or antibiotics that sterilize the gastrointestinal tract helps reduce clinical manifestations or even preventing its development. If necrotic enteropathy occurs, the patient is prescribed complete fasting. In this case, only the intake of boiled water and drugs that relieve diarrhea (dermatol, bismuth, chalk) is allowed. In severe cases of diarrhea, parenteral nutrition is used.

Bone marrow transplantation

Allogeneic histocompatible bone marrow transplantation is indicated only in cases characterized by irreversible depression of hematopoiesis and profound suppression of immunological reactivity.

Consequently, this method has limited capabilities, since there are still no sufficient effective measures overcoming tissue incompatibility reactions.

The selection of a bone marrow donor is made necessarily taking into account the transplant antigens of the HLA system. In this case, the principles established for allomyelotransplantation with preliminary immunosuppression of the recipient (use of methotrexate, irradiation of blood transfusion media) must be observed.

Special attention should be paid to general uniform radiation used as a pre-transplant immunosuppressive and antitumor agent in a total dose of 8-10 Gy. The observed changes differ in a certain pattern; the severity of individual symptoms varies from patient to patient.

The primary reaction that occurs after radiation exposure at a dose of more than 6 Gy is the appearance of nausea (vomiting), chills against the background elevated temperature, a tendency to hypotension, a feeling of dry mucous membranes of the nose and lips, a bluish complexion, especially the lips and neck. Procedure general exposure is carried out in a specially equipped irradiator under constant visual observation of the patient using television cameras in conditions of two-way communication. If necessary, the number of breaks can be increased.

With prolonged exposure to radioactive radiation on the body, a pathological process occurs that can lead to death.

The complex disease is especially dangerous for people with weakened immune systems, adolescents, pregnant women and children. When exposed to radionuclides, disturbances are observed in the central nervous system. In case of illness it is noted increased risk development of cancer.

Causes of radiation sickness

Radiation doses that cause radiation sickness are 1-10 Gray. Radioactive components penetrate into healthy body person through the following ways:

mucous membranes of the nose, mouth and eyes;
contaminated food;
lungs when inhaling air;
inhalation procedures;
skin;
water.

Exposure through injection is possible. Radionuclides cause changes in human organs, which can lead to unpleasant consequences. Harmful components cause an oxidative reaction in human tissues.

Factors and forms

There are such factors that provoke the disease:

penetration of radionuclides;
short but strong impact per person radiation waves;
constant exposure to x-rays.

Medical specialists note two forms of radiation sickness: acute and chronic. The acute form occurs with a single short-term irradiation of a person at a dose of 1 Gy. Chronic radiation sickness develops in humans with prolonged exposure to radiation. This occurs when the total radiation dose exceeds 0.7 Gy.

Symptoms of radiation sickness

If radiation hits a small area of the skin, then symptoms of radiation sickness will only appear in a certain area. This impact should not be ignored, since the pathology leads to severe complications. Because of this, the immune system weakens and the antioxidant defense function weakens. The affected cells begin to die, and normal functioning many body systems:

hematopoietic;
central nervous system;
endocrine;
gastrointestinal tract;
cardiovascular.

The rate at which symptoms develop directly depends on the doses of radiation a person receives. When exposed to radiation, a person is exposed to high temperature, light and mechanical energy, especially if he is at the center of the explosion. Possible chemical burns.

Degrees

Different doses of pathology are accompanied by their own symptoms. In radiation medicine, 4 degrees of human damage from radiation are described. Dependence of radiation sickness doses and degree (unit of measurement - Gray):

first – 1-2 Gy;
second – 2-4 Gy;
third – 4-6 Gy;
fourth – from 6 Gy.

Doses and degrees (unit Sieverts)

If a person receives radiation in an amount less than 1 Gy, then this is radiation injury. Each degree is characterized by its own symptoms. TO common features irradiation include disturbances in the following systems:

gastrointestinal;
cardiovascular;
hematopoietic.

First degree

The first signs of radiation sickness are nausea. Then, the person affected by radiation begins to vomit, and the mouth feels bitter or dry. Possible tremor of the limbs, increased heart rate.

If the source of radiation is eliminated at this stage, then the listed symptoms will disappear after rehabilitation therapy. This description is suitable for damage by radionuclides in the 1st degree.

Second degree

Symptoms of second degree radiation include:

skin rashes;
movement disorder;
decreased reflexes;
eye spasm;
baldness;
drop in blood pressure;
signs characteristic of the first degree.

If second-degree treatment is not performed, the pathology develops into a severe form.

Third degree

Signs of third degree damage to the human body by radionuclides depend on the importance of the affected organs and their functions. All of the listed symptoms are summed up and appear in the patient at the third stage of the disease.

Such radiation affects the body with the following symptoms:

exacerbation of infectious diseases;
decreased immunity;
complete intoxication;
severe bleeding (hemorrhagic syndrome).

Fourth degree

Acute radiation sickness occurs at the fourth degree of exposure. In addition to the appearance of insurmountable weakness in a person, other symptoms of acute radiation sickness appear:

Temperature increase.
Severe decrease in blood pressure.
Pronounced tachycardia.
The appearance of necrotic ulcers in the digestive system.

The pathological process causes swelling of the membranes of the brain and gums. Hemorrhages are observed on the mucous membranes of the urinary and respiratory tract, organs of the gastrointestinal tract, cardiac muscle.

Consequences of radiation sickness

Complications of radiation pathology appear in those who have suffered it. After the disease, patients are considered disabled for approximately 6 months. Rehabilitation of the body after light impact radionuclides is 3 months.

The consequences of radiation include:

Exacerbation of chronic infectious diseases.
Death.
Anemia, leukemia and other blood pathologies
Development of neoplasms of a malignant nature.
Cloudiness of the lens and vitreous body of the eye.
Genetically determined anomalies transmitted from generation to generation.
Disruption of the reproductive system organs.
Various dystrophic changes.

Diagnosis of radiation damage

You can speed up the recovery process and reduce the risk of complications if you receive prompt medical attention if you suspect exposure to radiation. Need to know

A disease of the body, such as radiation sickness, can occur in people as a result of exposure to a large number of ionizing rays, which damages cell structures in various forms. Today, such diseases are rare because they can develop after a single exposure to a high dose of radiation. Chronic disease can occur as a result of constant exposure to small amounts of radiation. With such irradiation, all body systems and internal organs are damaged. For this reason, the clinical picture of such a disease may always differ.

Radiation sickness

This disease develops after exposure to high radioactive radiation from 1 to 10 Gy and above. There are situations when radiation exposure is recorded at doses of 0.1 to 1 Gy. In such a situation, the body is in a preclinical stage. Radiation sickness can occur in two forms:

As a result of the overall relatively uniform exposure to radioactive radiation.
After receiving a localized dose of radiation to a specific part of the body or internal organ.

There is also the possibility of a combination and manifestation of a transitional form of the disease in question.

Typically, the acute or chronic form appears depending on the radiation load received. The peculiarities of the mechanism of transition of the disease into an acute or chronic form completely exclude a change in condition from one to another. It is known that the acute form always differs from the chronic form in the rate of receiving a radiation dose of 1 Gy.

A certain dosage of the received radiation causes a clinical syndrome of any form. The type of radiation may also have its own characteristics, since the nature of the damaging effect on the body may differ significantly. Characteristic for radiation increased density ionization and low penetrating ability, therefore, the destructive effects of such radiation sources have certain limitations in volume.

Beta radiation with a low penetrating effect causes tissue damage precisely at the points of contact with the radiation source. Y-radiation contributes to penetrating damage to the structure of body cells in the area of distribution. Neutron radiation may be heterogeneous in terms of its effect on cell structure, since its penetrating ability may also differ.

If you receive a radiation dose of 50-100 Gy, the nervous system will be damaged. This variant of the development of the disease will lead to death 4-8 days after irradiation.

If you gain 10-50 Gy of radiation, radiation sickness will manifest itself in the form of lesions digestive system, as a result, rejection of the intestinal mucosa occurs. Death in this situation occurs within 2 weeks.

Under the influence of a lower dose of 1 to 10 Gy, symptoms characteristic of the acute form normally appear, the main symptom of which is considered to be hematological syndrome. This condition is accompanied by bleeding and various infectious diseases.

Read in more detail about the causes and degrees of radiation sickness in this article.

Acute form, its symptoms and signs

Most often, radiation sickness develops in the bone marrow form in several stages.

Let's consider the main symptoms characteristic of the first stage:

General weakness;
Vomit;
Migraine;
Drowsiness;
Feeling of bitterness and dryness in the mouth.

When the radiation dosage is more than 10 Gy, the above symptoms may be accompanied by the following:

Diarrhea;
Arterial hypotension;
Fever;
Fainting state.

Against this background, the following may appear:

Unnatural redness of the skin.
Leukocytosis progressing to lymphopenia or leukopenia.

At the second stage, the overall clinical picture improves, but during diagnosis the following features can be observed:

Unstability of heartbeat and blood pressure;
Poor coordination of movements;
Deterioration of reflexes;
The EEG shows slow rhythms;
Baldness occurs 2 weeks after receiving a dose of radiation;
Leukopenia and other unnatural blood conditions may worsen.

In a situation where the dose of radiation received is 10 Gy, the first stage can immediately develop into the third.

The patient's condition at the third stage worsens significantly. In this case, the symptoms of the first stage can increase significantly. In addition to everything, you can observe the following processes:

Bleeding in the central nervous system;
Damage to the lining of organs in the gastrointestinal tract;
Blood from the nose;
Damage to the oral mucosa;
Skin necrosis;
Gastroenteritis;
Stomatitis and pharyngitis may also develop.

The body lacks protection against infections, so the following may occur:

Angina;
Pneumonia;
Abscess.

Dermatitis can develop in situations where the dose of radiation received is very high.

Symptoms of the chronic form

If the form is chronic, all symptoms may appear a little slower. The main ones include:

Neurological;
Complications at work endocrine system;
Metabolic disorders;
Problems with the digestive system;
Hematological disorders.

With a mild degree, reversible changes appear in the body:

General weakness;
Deterioration in performance;
Migraine;
Sleep problems;
Poor mental state;
Appetite worsens all the time;
Dyspeptic syndrome develops;
Gastritis with impaired secretion.

Endocrine system disorders manifest themselves as follows:

Libido worsens;
Men experience impotence;
In women it manifests itself as untimely menstruation.

Hematological abnormalities are unstable and do not have a specific severity.

The chronic form, to a mild degree, can proceed favorably and is amenable to complete cure without any consequences in the future.

The average degree is characterized by vegetative-vascular anomalies and various asthenic formations.

Doctors also note:

Dizziness;
Emotional instability;
Memory impairment;
Periodic loss of consciousness.

In addition to this, the following trophic disorders are observed:

Rotting nails;
Dermatitis;
Alopecia.

Sustained hypotension and tachycardia also develop.

Treatment of radiation sickness

After irradiation, it is necessary to provide the person with the following assistance:

Remove his clothes completely;
Wash in the shower as soon as possible;
Conduct an examination of the mouth, nose and mucous membranes of the eyes;
Next, it is necessary to perform a gastric lavage procedure and give the patient an antiemetic medication.

During treatment, it is necessary to carry out the procedure antishock therapy, give the patient medications:

Eliminating problems in the functioning of the cardiovascular system;
Promoting detoxification of the body;
Sedatives.

The patient needs to take a medicine that blocks gastrointestinal damage.

To cope with the first phase of radiation sickness, you need to use antiemetics. Aminazine and atropine are recommended to be used when vomiting cannot be stopped. IV with saline solution should be given to the patient if he or she becomes dehydrated.

If the patient is severely ill, it is imperative to detoxify within the first three days after receiving the radiation dose.

All kinds of isolators are used to prevent the development of infections. The following is supplied to specially equipped premises:

Fresh air;
Necessary medications and devices;
Products for patient care.

Visible mucous membranes must be treated with antiseptics. The work of the intestinal microflora is blocked by antibiotics with the addition of nystatin.

With help antibacterial agents manages to cope with the infection. Biological medications help fight bacteria. If the effect of antibiotics is not observed within two days, the medicine is replaced and the drug is prescribed taking into account the tests taken.

Consequences of the disease

The prognosis for the development of radiation sickness in each specific case depends on the dose of radiation received. A favorable outcome can be expected if the patient manages to survive 12 weeks after receiving the radiation dose.

After irradiation without death, people are diagnosed with various complications, disorders, hemoblastoses, oncological processes. Loss of reproductive function often occurs, and genetic abnormalities are often observed in the children born.

Often aggravated infectious diseases develop into a chronic form, and all sorts of infections arise shaped elements blood. After receiving a dose of radiation, people may experience problems with vision, the lens of the eye becomes cloudy and changes appearance vitreous body. So-called dystrophic processes can develop in the body.

To protect yourself as much as possible from possible diseases after radiation sickness, you need to contact specialized medical institutions in a timely manner. It must be remembered that radiation always hits the most weak points in organism.