For many people, radiation sickness is associated with something distant and transcendental: with the bombing that took place in Nagasaki and Hiroshima, and mutants who still walk around the exclusion zone in Pripyat. However, this is a fairly common and common disease, and almost anyone can get it. Therefore, it is better to familiarize yourself with the symptoms and consequences in as much detail as possible.
Definition
If we talk about the characteristics of radiation sickness, then according to the medical reference book, this is an ailment that occurs due to the detrimental effect of ionizing radiation on all living beings.
The severity of the injury will depend on certain factors:
- radiation dose;
- kind of radiation;
- precise localization of the radiation source.
Acute radiation sickness can be acquired if a person receives a uniform dose of radiation above 100 rad. It is considered essential thata person must necessarily be irradiated for a short time and completely.
After radiation damage, cataracts, malignant tumors, irreversible changes in the reproductive system develop. Significantly reduced life expectancy.
When the amount of radiation received exceeds the allowable limits, the risk of developing a disease, which in conventional medicine is called "Radiation Disease", is significantly increased. It should be noted that radiation also provokes damage to the cardiovascular, hematopoietic, nervous, digestive, and endocrine systems.
The consequence of radiation sickness is that with prolonged exposure of the skin to an ionizing substance, part of the tissues simply dies, and internal organs are also affected. To avoid a fatal outcome, timely therapy under the guidance of an experienced physician is mandatory. The sooner it is provided, the more chances a person has for a positive outcome.
Causes of radiation sickness
You can get sick with such a disease even due to short-term or single exposure to strong radiation, or with regular contact with small doses of radiation.
- In the first case, the causes are nuclear weapons or disasters, as well as the treatment of cancer.
- In the second case, the disease is acquired by hospital employees who need to work in departments with an X-ray machine, or patients who often undergo X-ray examinations. I.e,the effects of exposure are acquired due to the fact that a person has to deal with radiation due to their activities.
In each case, radioactive particles and neurons enter the body and damage internal organs. All changes occur at the molecular level. Initially, the bone marrow is affected, as well as the endocrine systems, skin, intestines and other organs.
Classification
Radiation sickness in modern medical practice has several stages:
- spicy;
- subacute;
- chronic.
There are several types of radiation that cause disease:
- A-radiation - it is characterized by an overestimated ionization density, but, in turn, the penetrating power is reduced;
- B-radiation - in this case, both penetrating power and ionization are weak;
- Y-study - with it there is a deep damage to the skin in the area of its impact;
- radiation by neutrons - in this option there is uneven damage to organs and tissue linings.
There are different phases of radiation sickness, which are divided into 4 types.
- Phase of the initial general reactivity - the temperature rises, the skin turns red and puffiness appears.
- Latent phase - occurs 4–5 days after irradiation. In this case, there is an unstable pulse, a decrease in pressure, a change in the skin, hair falls out, and the reflexsensitivity, movement and motor problems.
- The phase of revealed symptoms - it is characterized by bright manifestations of the symptoms of radiation sickness, the circulatory and hematopoietic systems are affected, the temperature rises, bleeding is present, the mucous membrane of the stomach and other internal organs is affected.
- Recovery phase - at this stage the patient's condition begins to improve, but, nevertheless, for a long time there is a so-called asthenovegetative syndrome, in which hemoglobin in the blood drops sharply.
Depending on the damage to the body, there are 4 degrees of radiation exposure:
- light - with it, the level of exposure is in the range from 1 to 2 Gray;
- medium - at this stage, the exposure level ranges from 2 to 4 Gray;
- heavy - the level of ionization is fixed in the range from 4 to 6 Gray;
- fatal - in this case, the exposure level should be more than 6 Gray.
When there are symptoms of the harmful effects of radiation, the attending doctor reveals not only the stage, but also the form of radiation sickness.
- Radiation injury - obtained in the case of simultaneous exposure to a radiation dose of less than 1 gram. This may cause slight nausea.
- Bone marrow - is typical and is diagnosed in case of simultaneous exposure from 1-6 grams.
- Gastrointestinal form of radiation sickness - occurs when the dose is between 10-20 grams, in which gastric upset is present. The disease proceeds with severe enteritis andbleeding from the stomach.
- Vascular - exposure to the body of radiation 20-80 grams (dose), radiation sickness is considered toxemic. Occurs with infectious-septic complications and fever.
- Cerebral - there is a dose of 80 grams. In this case, death occurs 1–3 days after exposure due to cerebral edema.
Symptoms
Signs of the disease depend on the characteristics of the body, the main stages and the severity of the course of the disease.
The first phase is characterized by:
- minimal discomfort;
- constant vomiting;
- drowsy;
- presence of constant nausea;
- low blood pressure;
- rare headaches;
- diarrhea;
- sudden loss of consciousness;
- increased body temperature;
- finger trembling;
- redness of the skin with an emerging bluish tint;
- general malaise;
- decrease in muscle tone;
- increased pulsation.
For the second phase, in which there is an imaginary recovery, are characteristic:
- beginning of the disappearance of previous signs;
- hair loss;
- skin damage;
- muscle aches;
- change in gait and problems with hand motility;
- reflex subsidence;
- "shifting eye effect".
The following problems can be diagnosed in the third phase:
- hemorrhagic syndrome, namely heavy bleeding;
- general malaiseorganism;
- ulcers form;
- skin has a reddish tint;
- no appetite;
- heart rate quickens;
- there is increased bleeding and swelling of the gums;
- frequent urination present;
- digestion problems begin;
- hematopoietic and circulatory systems are affected
The consequences of radiation sickness are very serious, so it is best to try to correctly recognize the symptoms in order to see a doctor in time.
First signs
The progressive disease is in an acute phase, which is characterized by a sharp deterioration in well-being, there is a decline in working capacity. The first signs of the disease involve significant death of bone marrow cells, which must divide in order for the body to function properly. Because of this, hemodynamic disorders are formed, which are prone to skin lesions, infectious complications and problems from the stomach. Initial symptoms develop with dizziness, nausea and sore throat, and bitterness in the mouth may be present.
Diagnosis
The consequences of radiation sickness are always very serious, but, nevertheless, it is better to recognize the disease earlier in order to receive qualified assistance, for this the following examination methods are used:
- doctor's appointment;
- gathering anamnesis;
- ultrasound examination;
- coagulogram;
- general, clinical and biochemical blood tests;
- examinationbrain;
- back crops;
- endoscopy;
- performing chromosomal analysis on hematopoietic cells;
- computed tomography;
- electroencephalography;
- dosimetric tests of feces, blood and urine.
First Aid
The periods of the course of radiation sickness can be different, but most often the disease develops very rapidly, so the doctors must act quickly. The disease causes irreversible he alth consequences, so it is extremely important to suppress the symptoms of the acute phase in time.
First aid includes the following resuscitation activities:
- evacuation of the victim from the place where he received radioactive exposure;
- washing the affected mucosa with 2% sodium bicarbonate solution, as well as cleaning the stomach using a probe;
- then the open wound is treated with purified water, while asepsis rules are unconditionally observed;
- followed by intramuscular injection of a 5% solution of "Unithiol" in the amount of 6-10 ml for active removal of radiation from the body;
- ascorbic acid, antihistamines, hypertonic glucose solution and calcium chloride are also administered intramuscularly.
Treatment
The following activities are recommended for therapy:
- immediate assistance after infection - clothes are removed, the stomach is cleaned and the body is washed;
- anti-shock therapy in progress;
- sedatives are usedcomplexes;
- components are taken that block formed problems in the intestines and stomach;
- body detoxification;
- physical activity;
- isolation of the patient;
- taking antibiotics;
- especially in the first few days antibiotics are prescribed;
- in severe cases, a bone marrow transplant is indicated.
The paths of therapy are chosen exclusively by the hematologist and the patient's therapist. Sometimes an additional consultation with a gastroenterologist, oncologist, proctologist, gynecologist or other highly specialized doctors is required.
Lifespan
The prognosis of radiation sickness is not very good, since this disease most often causes irreversible ailments. Regardless of the degree of exposure to radiation, life expectancy is reduced. If everything went in a mild form, then with properly performed therapy, a person will live a long and happy life, but if the dose of radiation was significant, even if all rehabilitation measures were taken, a person’s death would occur in a few days.
Consequences
This disease brings the greatest danger to children and adolescents. Ions actively affect cells during their growth. And there is also a serious threat for pregnant women, since the stage of intrauterine development is very vulnerable, so exposure can adversely affect the development of the fetus.
Those exposed to radiation are at risk from the following:
- damage to the endocrine, digestive, central nervous, reproductive, hematopoieticand circulatory systems, as well as individual organs;
- there is also a significant risk of developing oncological processes in the body.
Mutations
As already mentioned, the effects of radiation are not reversible, and they can also appear after several generations. Mutations that have arisen due to radiation sickness have not yet been fully studied by physicians. However, the fact of their existence has been established. A relatively young science, genetics, is engaged in this direction. The disease causes chromosomal changes in the genes themselves, which can be either recessive or dominant.
Prevention
As prevention and prevention of radiation exposure is the observance of all basic rules and regulations when working with radioactive substances. One hundred percent ways to protect against the disease does not exist. The only and more effective method of protection is shielding. There are drugs that can make the body less sensitive to radiation. It is recommended to use vitamins B6, C and P, as well as certain anabolic and hormonal agents. Scientists have also come up with drugs to prevent radiation sickness, but they have practically no effect, and the list of adverse reactions is too long.
"Father" of the atomic bomb
It should be noted that both the US and the USSR started work on nuclear projects. In August 1942, the secret "Laboratory No. 2" began its work in one of the objects in the courtyard of Kazan University. Igor Kurchatov was appointed the founder and main figure of the project. ATthe same year, in the building of an old school in the state of New Mexico in the town of Los Alamos, a secret "Metallurgical Laboratory" began its work. Robert Oppenheimer was appointed manager. It took the American creator of the atomic bomb three years. In July 1945, the first works were tested at the test site, and in August of the same year, two bombs were dropped on Nagasaki and Hiroshima. It took Russia 7 years to create its prototype, the first explosion was made at the test site in 1949.
It should be noted that American physicists were initially stronger. Only 12 Nobel laureates (current and future) took part in the creation of the bomb. The only future Soviet laureate, Pyotr Kapitsa, refused to work on the project.
It should be noted that the Americans were also helped by a group of British scientists who were sent to Los Alamos in 1943. Nevertheless, in Soviet times there was such an assertion that the USSR solved the atomic problem on its own, and Kurchatov was called the domestic creator of the atomic bomb. Although there were rumors that several secrets were stolen from the Americans. And only 50 years later, in the 90s, one of the actors - Julius Khariton, told everyone about the significant role of intelligence in accelerating the creation of the Soviet project. American technical and scientific work was mined by Klaus Fuchs, who arrived in an English group. So Robert Oppenheimer can be called the "father" of bombs on both sides of the ocean, since his ideas supported both projects. It is wrong to consider Oppenheimer, like Kurchatov, exceptionally outstanding organizers, sincetheir main achievement is scientific research. And it is thanks to them that they turned out to be scientific supervisors of such projects.
Chernobyl disaster
Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant is located eleven kilometers from the Ukrainian-Belarusian border near the Pripyat River. The first buildings were built there in the 1970s. Due to the catastrophe, the construction of the third stage was never completed.
People involved in the creation of power units, laid the foundation for a new city, which acquired the name of Pripyat. The population in it was 75 thousand people.
The accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant thundered on April 26, 1986. The disaster was the largest in the history of atomic life.
At 01:24 Kyiv time, there were two powerful explosions, as a result of which the fourth power unit was completely destroyed. A huge fire began to flare up, after which all employees began to leave the territory.
The first victim of this terrible disaster was the operator of the main circulation pump - Valery Khodemchuk. Rescuers under the rubble could not find him. The explosion resulted in a huge release of radioactive substances.
After a few minutes after the accident, the fire department received a signal, and rescuers headed to the place. But due to the fact that the firefighters had only helmets, gloves and canvas overalls from protection, they all earned a considerable dose of radiation. Therefore, after 20 minutes, they began to express the serious consequences of radiation sickness:
- loss of consciousness;
- weakness;
- "nuclear tan";
- vomit.
At 4 am, it was possible to extinguish the fire on the roof of the engine room a little so that it would not spread to neighboring objects. At 6 o'clock the fire was completely extinguished. At the same time, the second victim of the accident turned up in the hospital - Vladimir Shashenok, who was an employee of the commissioning enterprise. The reason for this was a fracture of the spine.
From 09:00 to 12:00, active work was carried out, and rescuers helped to redirect the victims to the hospital. At 3 p.m., it was clear that Block 4 was completely destroyed, so radioactive substances entered the atmosphere.
In the evening, the government decided to evacuate the residents of Pripyat and nearby facilities. And only the next day at noon this operation began to be organized. It was announced on the radio that there had been an accident, due to which a lot of radioactive substances had entered the atmosphere.
Until the end of 1986, 116 thousand people were evacuated from 188 settlements that were in the "exclusion zone".
Hiroshima and Nagasaki
The atomic bombings of two Japanese cities took place in 1945 on August 6 and 9. This is the only example in human history of the use of nuclear weapons.
This implementation was carried out by the US military during the ending phase of World War II.
On the morning of August 6, 1945, an American B-29 Enola Gay bomber dropped an atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima, called Little Boy, which was the equivalent of 13-18 kilotons of TNT. In 3 days, the Fat Man atomic bomb ("Fat Man"), which is considered the equivalent of 21 kilotonsTNT was sent to the city of Nagasaki on a B-29 Bockscar bomber. According to statistics, the total number of victims reached from 90-166 thousand in Hiroshima, and from 60-80 thousand people in Nagasaki.
In connection with such events, on August 15, 1945, Japan announced surrender. This act formally ended the Second World War, it was signed in 1945 on September 2.
