Each disease is dangerous and insidious in its own way. Unpleasant symptoms, along with poor he alth, make us think that the disease has already begun. Such a phenomenon as radiation sickness is a prominent representative of such ailments. Many have heard about the existence of radiation pathologies and the seriousness of such consequences for humans. The event in Chernobyl, known throughout the world, in the shortest possible time conveyed to people information about the presence of a serious danger that comes from radioactive radiation. What exactly lies in this kind of danger, we will find out in this article. How to recognize the signs of radiation sickness?
How does illness occur?
So, radiation sickness is a reaction on the part of 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 launched in the cells, which entail certain failures inmany structures of life. This disease is extremely life-threatening, as it is an irreversible process, the destructive effect of which can only be stopped a little. Signs of radiation sickness are important to identify in a timely manner.
Influence of radioactive radiation
Radioactive radiation affects the body as an aggressive factor that causes concomitant diseases. Its danger directly depends on the time and the total area of radiation. In addition, the way radiation enters the body also affects. An equally important role is played by the immune resistance of the human body.
Taking into account the degree of damage, there are basic zones that are most often subjected to 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 occur as a single complication or may be combined with several. A similar combination is observed with lesions of the third degree. Such consequences can take on very serious forms, including death.
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 a consequence of a short exposure to radiation,which is over 1 gr. Such a dose is a critical form that causes rapid changes in the human body, which mainly lead to serious complications, and sometimes even death of the patient.
Signs of radiation sickness vary in degrees.
Chronic form
Chronic radiation pathology may occur as a result of prolonged contact with a radiation source, the radiation from which is equal to the limit of up to 1 gr. Often, patients with chronic radiation sickness are workers at nuclear power plants who have to come into contact with radiation. Depending on the degree of penetration of radiation, this disease is classified into the following types:
- The internal form that occurs as a consequence of the ingestion of radioactive elements. In this case, radiation enters through the respiratory or digestive system. This factor is decisive in the treatment, since it is precisely those organs through which the irradiation has passed that are affected first of all.
- The external form in which radioactive exposure occurs through the human skin.
Thus, radiation sickness, the signs of which have already made themselves felt, can have different forms, it is classified depending on the severity of the disease.
Radiation sickness: the degree of damage to the body
All possible consequences of radiation sickness, as a rule, lead to serious dysfunctions that can manifest themselves in the formsingle complications or be combined with several at once. In total, there are three degrees of radiation exposure:
- First degree. This stage of damage is characterized by a minimally dangerous effect of radiation on a person. Symptoms of the disease at this stage are not even always manifested. At the same time, full diagnostics shows only initial pathological changes in the functioning of vital systems. This stage is successfully corrected through timely 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 radioactive exposure can also be quite successfully treated. But against its background, the risk of serious he alth problems in the future increases several times. Unfortunately, quite often these problems become cancers.
- 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 consequences of radioactive exposure. It should be noted that the consequences of third-degree radiation exposure are almost irreversible. A person can only partially improve his he alth, but, unfortunately, cases of complete disability are not uncommon.
Signs of radiation sickness
Radiation sickness not yet treatedhas 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? More on that later.
The main symptoms are:
- Against the background of the first degree of the disease, a person develops a feeling of nausea, vomiting, dryness or bitterness in the mouth. The development of tachycardia and tremor is not excluded. All these symptoms are temporary and soon, as a rule, disappear after rehabilitation therapy, as well as the elimination of the source of radiation. It can be said that this is the first sign of radiation sickness.
- As part of the 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 experience periodic spasms of the eyes, and, in addition, all symptoms of the first degree appear. In the event that the required therapy is not carried out in a timely manner, the second degree can develop into the next more severe form. Patients may also develop baldness. The condition may be accompanied by a decrease in reflex reactions. At this stage, the patient's blood pressure drops. Signs of radiation sickness differ markedly in degrees.
- The symptoms of the third degree of exposure mainly depend on which organs were affected due to radioactive interference. In such a state, the patient has all the above symptoms, and in addition, those that are characteristic of concomitant pathology. At this stage of the disease,patients, the state of immunity deteriorates noticeably, and, in addition, hemorrhagic syndrome occurs, which is accompanied by severe bleeding. At this stage, complete intoxication of the body occurs. There is an exacerbation of the risk of all kinds of infectious diseases.
Fourth degree - against the background of all this, the patient's temperature rises and blood pressure drops. There are signs of acute radiation sickness. Also, in patients, the pulse quickens and the person begins to overcome weakness. It is not excluded the occurrence of edema in the gum area along with the appearance of necrotic ulcers in the digestive system.
These are the main signs of radiation sickness grades 1-4.
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 anamnesis. The doctor listens to all complaints of the patient. After that, the following blood tests are mandatory:
- General clinical analysis.
- Blood for biochemistry.
- Coagulogram.
In addition, in diagnostics, a study of the patient's bone marrow along with his internal organs is carried out. Such diagnosis is carried out by means of ultrasound examination. In addition, endoscopy and radiography are performed. It is thanks to the blood indicator that it is possible to determine the severitydiseases. Later, according to a blood test, one can also observe the dynamism of the phase changes of the disease.
Preventive measures
It is important to determine the signs of radiation sickness of the 1st degree in time. But ideally, it is better not to allow the development of the disease at all.
In order to prevent radiation sickness, the constant use of various protection options is required if a person is directly in the radio emission zone. Also, as part of preventive measures, drugs that are radioprotectors are used, 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 immediate protective properties of such drugs are effective for five hours.
And it is important to remember that the signs of death from acute radiation sickness are uncontrollable vomiting, bloody diarrhea, unconsciousness, general convulsions, then death.
Treatment of radiation sickness
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 taken from the Chernobyl zone, ending with radiation exposure in industrial conditions. Timely diagnosis of the disease often saves the lives of many people, and, on the contrary, delaying treatment often ends in death.outcome. As a rule, the main methods of treatment of radiation pathology are directed to the following methods:
The complete picture of the lesion of 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 recorded, its signs and periods
- Stage of treatment. Therapy of radiation sickness must necessarily be carried out under the strict supervision of a doctor and must be aimed at removing all kinds of radioactive substances from the patient's body. Any prescribed medications must be taken by the patient on time and strictly according to the prescription, because this disease only gets worse without proper treatment. That is, the longer a person does not treat radiation sickness, the higher the likelihood of developing even more serious he alth consequences.
- Stimulate and increase immunity. No matter how severe the radiation exposure, the timing of the patient's further recovery directly depends on how quickly his immunity is able to restore its former he alth. Therefore, stimulation of the immune system is considered an extremely important stage of treatment aimed at a quick recovery. For this purpose, immunostimulants are used in medical practice, and, in addition, they use a vitamin diet, which is aimed at strengthening immunity.
- Disease preventionimplies the subsequent complete exclusion from the patient's life of any factors that can have a radioactive effect on his body. As part of the preventive action, one can name a change of place of work along with the observance of the deadlines for performing X-ray examinations, which should be carried out no more than once a year. It is important to note that x-rays should completely rule out women in cases of pregnancy.
Folk treatments for radiation pathology
Folk remedies for the treatment of radiation pathologies are often used as part of a comprehensive treatment of the disease along with the main drug therapy. In fact, there are a lot of ways to treat radiation sickness, but listing all modern techniques and methods, and, in addition, naming specific drugs is inappropriate because only the attending physician should prescribe restorative treatment.
So, as already noted, folk remedies to eliminate the signs of acute radiation sickness are often used as part of complex treatment along with the main drug therapy. Non-traditional therapy is aimed at removing radionuclides from the body, in addition, the immune system is stimulated. For all these purposes, the traditional field of medicine has a whole arsenal of excellent tools that can have a mild effect on the entire body, allowing the use of such methods for a long time. Alternative treatment is quite effective and is considered an excellent way to prevent.
The most proven remedies
In fact, there are a lot of all kinds of recipes, let's look at some of the most proven and effective ones:
- Tincture prepared on the basis of pine needles. With the help of this tincture, it is possible to neutralize the radioactive influence, that is, to 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 pine needles are also taken. It is not necessary to bring the tincture to a boil. It is required to insist 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 oil from sea buckthorn 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 discusses radiation sickness, signs, symptoms, consequences are presented.
