Säteilysairaus

Säteilysairaus, also known as radiation sickness or acute radiation syndrome (ARS), is a severe illness that occurs after a person is exposed to a high dose of ionizing radiation. The severity of the illness depends on the dose of radiation received, the type of radiation, and the area of the body exposed. Symptoms can appear rapidly, often within minutes or hours, and vary greatly.

Initial symptoms commonly include nausea and vomiting. Following this, there may be a period where symptoms seem to subside, known as a latent phase. However, this is followed by a manifest illness stage, where more severe symptoms emerge. These can include diarrhea, dehydration, blood in the stool or vomit, hair loss, and skin burns. Damage to the bone marrow is a significant consequence, leading to a decreased ability of the body to produce blood cells. This can result in anemia, increased susceptibility to infection due to a lack of white blood cells, and bleeding problems due to a shortage of platelets.

Internal organs, such as the gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system, can also be severely affected. The gastrointestinal tract can experience damage leading to a breakdown of the intestinal lining, while the central nervous system can be impacted in cases of extremely high radiation doses, causing neurological symptoms. Treatment for säteilysairaus focuses on supportive care, aiming to manage symptoms, prevent infections, and support the body's recovery processes. This can include intravenous fluids, antibiotics, blood transfusions, and medications to stimulate blood cell production. The prognosis depends heavily on the radiation dose and timely medical intervention.