Causes and risk factors:
Various radioactive elements are found in the air, water and atmosphere. Small amounts of these radioactive materials constantly ingested or inhaled through food and water or air causes internal accumulation. Affection in few people can be seen during radiation testing due to failure in protection measures. Exposure to radiations especial while undergoing X-rays is the other contributing factors. People working in radiation labs or nuclear industries or astronauts who are exposed to high energy cosmic radiations are more susceptible for it.Dignostic and therapeutic radiation over a period of time can cause radiation sickness specially radiotherapy in treatment of cancers. Exposure due to nuclear accidents
Clinical presentations:
The clinical presentation depends upon the sickness due to contamination (external or internal) or irradiation (direct or indirect).The dosage, duration and age of the patients are certain factors which determine the severity of affection. The symptoms can be mild or severe. Systemic or local manifestations are seen. Symptoms pertaining to Nervous, gastrointestinal and hematopoietic systems occur. The complaints with which the patient can come up are nausea, vomiting, headache, diarrhea and fever. Electrolyte imbalance, diminished red blood cells and decrease platelets counts are witnessed. Nervous system involvement leads to development of symptoms like weakness of memory, lack of comprehension, dizziness etc. Dermal changes like hairloss, redness and burn like patches leading to ulceration and necrosis are manifestated. Gradual weakening of the hematopoietic and nervous system can lead to worsening of the immune system thus endangering life. Leukemia, blood cancers are some of the features long term side effects and complications may be in the form of genetic changes over the generations or bone marrow destructions
Diagnosis and investigations:
Symptoms narrated by the patient and the history of exposure along with the physical examination carried out by the doctor will help to confirm the diagnosis. Radiation detecting devices like Dosimeter and survey meter devise are used to determine the dosage and location of radioactive particles. Routine blood test can also be helpful not only from diagnostic point of view but also for prognosis.Specialised blood test to detect the quantity and type of radionuclide type are done.
Treatment:
Decontamination is the main line of treatment. It consists of removal of the contaminated clothes and shoes and proper washing of the body with water and soap. Hospitalization and close monitoring of the individual is necessary. Supportive life therapies are implemented. Chelating agents are administered for dealing with the internal contamination. Medications which are protein based are administered to facilitate the cellular growth. In severe cases reverse isolation and stem cell transplantation is used. Minimizing the contamination or exposure to radiation in health care workers is the major preventive step to be adopted. Essential protective apparel should be used.
