Acute Radiation Research Papers

Acute Radiation Syndrome Acute radiation syndrome which is also sometimes known as radiation sickness or radiation toxicity is an extremely serious illness that occurs when the entire body (or most of it) receives a high dose of penetrating radiation, a dose greater than 50 rads, in a very short period of time. Studies in animals and humans exposed to radiation have allowed researchers to describe acute radiation syndrome. The most replicative cells are the most sensitive to the acute effects of radiation, particularly spermatocytes, lymphohematopoeitic elements, and intestinal crypt cells. The inherent sensitivity of these cells results in a constellation of clinical syndromes that predominates within a predictable range of doses of whole-body
Symptoms in this system are regularly seen at a threshold dose of 600 rads and result from damage to the epithelial cells lining the intestinal tract. The higher the exposure, the sooner the symptoms of nausea and vomiting develop. The presence of these symptoms typically overlaps with the drop in the cell count described previously. As a result, sepsis, loss of fluids, electrolytes and opportunistic infections complicate the picture. Persistent high fevers and bloody diarrhea is an ominous sign despite fluid and electrolyte replacement. Survival time in this syndrome does not vary with dose. Death happens at the same time regardless of dose. Human death occurs within three to ten days without medical support and within approximately two weeks with medical
The Radiation Event Medical Management (REMM) web portal (http://remm.nlm.gov/), developed under the auspices of the US Department of Health and Human Services, includes guidance for health care providers. Finally, radiation emergency medicine consultation services are provided by the Radiation Emergency Assistance Center/Training Site (REAC/TS). REAC/TS physicians and health physicists are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 865.576.1005 (http://orise.orau.gov/reacts/).
Health care providers may yet be called upon to provide care to victims of acute, high-dose, ionizing radiation exposure following a terrorist radiation event. ARS, a consequence of such an exposure, will be assessed and managed on the basis of a thorough history and physical examination, diagnostic testing, and appropriate resource allocation. Even with proper management, recovery from ARS takes a long time and lifelong medical follow up is