What is radiation disease?

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Radiation poisoning, also called "radiation sickness" or a "creeping dose", is a form of damage to organ tissue due to excessive exposure to ionizing radiation. The term is generally used to refer to acute problems caused by a large dosage of radiation in a short period, though this also has occurred with long term exposure. The clinical name for "radiation sickness" is acute radiation syndrome (ARS) as described by the CDC.[1][2][3] A chronic radiation syndrome does exist but is very uncommon; this has been observed among workers in early radium source production sites and in the early days of the Soviet nuclear program. A short exposure can result in acute radiation syndrome; chronic radiation syndrome requires a prolonged high level of exposure. Radiation exposure can also increase the probability of contracting some other diseases, mainly cancer, tumors, and genetic damage. These are referred to as the stochastic effects of radiation, and are not included in the term radiation sickness. Radiation sickness is generally associated with acute (a single large) exposure.[5][6] Nausea and vomiting are usually the main symptoms.[6] The amount of time between exposure to radiation and the onset of the initial symptoms may be an indicator of how much radiation was absorbed.[6] Symptoms appear sooner with higher doses of exposure.[7] The symptoms of radiation sickness become more serious (and the chance of survival decreases) as the dosage of radiation increases. A few symptom-free days may pass between the appearance of the initial symptoms and the onset of symptoms of more severe illness associated with higher doses of radiation.[6] Nausea and vomiting generally occur within 24-48 hours after exposure to mild (1-2 Gy) doses of radiation. Headache, fatigue, and weakness are also seen with mild exposure.[6] Moderate (2-3.5 Gy of radiation) exposure is associated with nausea and vomiting beginning within 12-24 hours after exposure.[6] In addition to the symptoms of mild exposure, fever, hair loss, infections, bloody vomit and stools, and poor wound healing are seen with moderate exposure.[6] Nausea and vomiting occur in less than 1 hour after exposure to severe (3.5-5.5 Gy) doses of radiation, followed by diarrhea and high fever in addition to the symptoms of lower levels of exposure.[6] Very severe (5.5-8 Gy of radiation) exposure is followed by the onset of nausea and vomiting in less than 30 minutes followed by the appearance of dizziness, disorientation, and low blood pressure in addition to the symptoms of lower levels of exposure.[6] Severe exposure is fatal about 50% of the time.[6] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiation_poisoning Aug 10 09, 3:52 PM

ilikeguinness

radiation disease - also known as or related to radiation-induced vomiting,disorder due to exposure to radiation, adverse effect of radiation therapy (disorder),disorder due to exposure to ionizing radiation,radiation sickness, effect of radiation therapy (disorder) http://www.patient.co.uk/leaflets/radiation_disease.htm Aug 10 09, 3:53 PM