RADIATION SICKNESS

General Information

DEFINITION--Side effects that accompany radiation treatment for cancer or aftereffects of accidental exposure to radiation.

BODY PARTS INVOLVED--Depends on the location of treatment or exposure. See Signs & Symptoms below.

SEX OR AGE MOST AFFECTED--Both sexes; all ages.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS--

The following vary widely, and are often temporary, depending on the radiation dosage and area radiated:

• Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
• Headache.
• Fatigue and shortness of breath.
• Rapid heartbeat.
• Yeast infection in the mouth.
• Dry mouth and loss of taste.
• Swallowing difficulty.
• Worsening of tooth or gum disease.
• Hair loss; dry cough.
• Heart inflammation with chest pain.
• Burning, inflammation or scarring of skin.
• Permanent skin darkening.
• Bleeding spots anywhere under the skin.
• Anemia; sexual impotence.

CAUSES--Radiation damage to the immune system and to healthy tissues.

RISK INCREASES WITH--

For radiation treatment:

• Poor nutrition.
• Illness that has lowered resistance.

HOW TO PREVENT

• Have a thorough dental checkup to detect tooth or gum disease before head or neck radiation.
• Eat well before radiation treatment to be in optimal nutritional condition.
• If you work around radiation, learn and observe safety regulations.

What To Expect

DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES--

• Laboratory blood studies of hemoglobin, platelet counts and white-blood-cell counts.
• X-rays of treated areas and dosimetry (detects and measures exposure to radiation).

APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE

• Doctor's treatment.
• Psychotherapy or counseling to reduce the stress of radiation treatment.
• Hospitalization for radiation treatment or complications.
• Bone marrow transplant for severe exposure.

> Increased susceptibility to cancer--

especially bone-marrow cancer or leukemia.

• With radiation treatment, other complications depend on the area involved. Your doctor will explain possible complications. Modern radiation equipment makes serious complications unlikely.

PROBABLE OUTCOME--

• With radiation treatment, most side effects or complications disappear gradually afterward.
• With radiation accidents not severe enough to cause immediate death, side effects may not appear for years.

How To Treat

GENERAL MEASURES--

• During radiation treatment, keep medical personnel informed of how you are feeling. Treatments can sometimes be adjusted or interrupted until you feel better.
• If you lose your hair, consider wearing a wig until hair growth resumes.
• Use effective birth-control measures to prevent pregnancy until it is determined that it is safe to have children.

MEDICATION--Your doctor may prescribe:

• Antinausea drugs.
• Pain relievers.
• Blood transfusions for anemia.
• Antibiotics to fight infections.
• Antidiarrheal medications.
• Sedatives if sleeping is a problem.

ACTIVITY--Be as active as your strength allows. Rest often.

DIET--Eat a balanced diet. You may temporarily need a liquid diet (see Liquid Diet in Appendix) or want to prepare food in a blender if you have trouble swallowing. Intravenous feeding or use of a small stomach tube is also possible until you resume normal eating. A dietitian can help.

Call Your Doctor If

• You are accidentally exposed to radiation.
• You feel very ill during radiation treatment, especially if you have unexpected symptoms.
• You develop signs of infection, such as fever and chills, muscle aches, headache and dizziness, during or after exposure or treatment.
• New, unexplained symptoms develop. Drugs in treatment may produce side effects.