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Radiation sickness
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Radiation sickness occurs from exposure to a
large amount of radiation. The exposure may be in a
series of doses spread over time (chronic) or in a
single large dose (acute). Radiation exposure may be
accidental or intentional.
The two main types of radiation are penetrating
(ionizing) and nonpenetrating (nonionizing).
Penetrating radiation affects you by entering your
body and depositing radioactive energy into your
tissues, which then can cause cell damage or cell
death. Nonpenetrating radiation doesn't pass through
your skin. A large dose of penetrating radiation may
kill bone marrow cells, while a large dose of
nonpenetrating radiation may burn your skin.
Radiation is a cancer-causing agent (carcinogen).
Exposure to radiation can increase your risk of
cancer. Large doses of radiation can cause other
adverse health effects, including
cataracts and
mental retardation in the children of mothers
exposed during pregnancy.
Complications
Large
doses of radiation can cause extensive damage to your cells and result
in cell death. For example, radiation therapy uses large doses of
radiation to kill cells in tumors. With exposure to smaller doses, you
or a particular organ of yours may survive, but the cells may be
damaged, increasing your risk of developing cancer later. The extent of
damage depends on the total amount of energy absorbed, the time period
and dose rate of exposure, the particular organs exposed, and the amount
of cellular repair. Cells can repair most of the damage caused by small
doses of radiation.
Complications of radiation sickness vary depending on the type of
exposure:
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Acute
exposure.
In most cases, a large single dose of radiation can cause both
immediate and delayed effects. Acute exposure, if large enough, can
cause rapid development of radiation sickness that may include bone
marrow depression, gastrointestinal disorders, bacterial infections,
hemorrhaging, anemia and loss of body fluids. Delayed effects can
include cataracts, temporary infertility and cancer. Extremely high
levels of acute radiation exposure can result in death within a few
hours, days or weeks depending on the dose.
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Chronic
exposure.
Chronic radiation exposure often produces effects that can be
observed within weeks after the initial exposure. But signs and
symptoms of chronic radiation exposure may not show up until years
after the exposure. The effects of chronic exposure may include
increased risk of cancer, precancerous lesions, benign tumors,
cataracts, skin changes and congenital defects.
Radiation sickness
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