Sugárbetegség

Sugárbetegség, also known as radiation sickness or acute radiation syndrome (ARS), is a collection of transient and persistent damage to the body caused by exposure to a high dose of ionizing radiation over a short period. The severity of the symptoms depends on the total dose of radiation received, the rate at which it was received, and the parts of the body exposed.

Symptoms typically appear in stages. The prodromal stage involves immediate or short-term effects like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. This is followed by a latent period where the individual may feel better, and then a manifest illness stage where more severe symptoms emerge, depending on the radiation dose. These can include damage to the bone marrow (leading to infections and bleeding), the gastrointestinal tract (leading to dehydration and malnutrition), and the central nervous system (leading to seizures and coma in very high doses).

Treatment focuses on supportive care, including managing symptoms like nausea, preventing infections, and replacing fluids and electrolytes. In severe cases, blood transfusions and bone marrow transplants may be necessary. The long-term effects can include an increased risk of developing cancer and other chronic health problems. Prevention of ARS involves minimizing exposure to radiation sources and using protective measures when unavoidable.