The biological effects of nuclear radiation can be devastating to human and animal life. Humans who are exposed to nuclear radiation can experience radiation sickness, also referred to as acute radiation syndrome, acute radiation sickness or radiation poisoning. According to the Mayo Clinic, radiation sickness is very rare, but it is also very serious and in most cases fatal.
Signs and Stages
There are four stages of radiation sickness: mild, moderate, severe and very severe. The stages depend on how much nuclear radiation a person has absorbed. During the moderate stage a person may experience nausea and vomiting within 48 hours of exposure, along with weakness, fatigue and headache. During the moderate stage a person may experience nausea and vomiting within 24 hours of exposure, delayed wound healing, fever, blood in the stool, hair loss, blood in vomit and infections. The moderate stage can be fatal in those who are very sensitive to nuclear radiation. During the severe stage a person may experience nausea and vomiting within an hour of exposure, high fever and diarrhea. The severe stage is fatal in approximately half of all people who experience it. During the very severe stage a person may experience almost immediate nausea and vomiting, low blood pressure, disorientation and dizziness. The very severe stage is almost always fatal.
Cancer
Being exposed to nuclear radiation does not directly cause cancer. However, this exposure does greatly increase a person's risk of developing cancer, according to the Mayo Clinic. This biological effect of nuclear radiation can increase a person's risk of developing any type of cancer. However, the most common cancers associated with nuclear radiation exposure include leukemia, stomach cancer, breast cancer, multiple myeloma, bladder cancer, ovarian cancer, liver cancer, esophageal cancer and lung cancer.
Psychological Disorders
A biological effect of nuclear radiation is the increased risk of developing psychological disorders. This includes both short-term and long-term mental disorders. Some of these psychological disorder include major depression, generalized anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Diagnosis
The most common way to diagnose nuclear radiation exposure is by asking the patient for details and monitoring their symptoms. Blood tests can also be done to check for a decrease in white blood cells and abnormal DNA changes. Other tests include determining the type of radiation to create the best possible treatment method.
Treatment
Treating the biological effects of nuclear radiation involves preventing further contamination, alleviating symptoms, managing pain and treating organ damage. First, the patient will be decontaminated by removing any clothes and thoroughly cleansing the skin and hair. The patient will then be treated for internal contamination and for any damaged bone marrow. They will then be given medication to alleviate their pain and other symptoms.
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