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Acute radiation syndrome (ARS), also known as radiation sickness or radiation poisoning, is a collection of health effects that are caused by being exposed to high amounts of ionizing radiation in a short period of time. [1] Symptoms can start within an hour of exposure, and can last for several months.
Radiation proctitis or radiation proctopathy is a condition characterized by damage to the rectum after exposure to x-rays or other ionizing radiation as a part of radiation therapy. [1] Radiation proctopathy may occur as acute inflammation called "acute radiation proctitis" (and the related radiation colitis) or with chronic changes ...
Side effects of radiation therapy might occur after a few weeks into treatment. Both types of radiation therapy may cause diarrhea and mild rectal bleeding due to radiation proctitis, as well as potential urinary incontinence and impotence. Symptoms tend to improve over time except for erections which typically worsen as time progresses.
Most side effects are predictable and expected. Side effects from radiation are usually limited to the area of the patient's body that is under treatment. Side effects are dose-dependent; for example, higher doses of head and neck radiation can be associated with cardiovascular complications, thyroid dysfunction, and pituitary axis dysfunction ...
Radiation colitis is injury to the colon caused by radiation therapy. It is usually associated with treatment for prostate cancer or cervical cancer . [ 1 ] Common symptoms are diarrhea , a feeling of being unable to empty the bowel , [ 2 ] gastrointestinal bleeding, and abdominal pain.
The risk of systemic infection is higher when the organism has a combined injury, such as a conventional blast, thermal burn, [3] or radiation burn. [2] There is a direct quantitative relationship between the magnitude of the neutropenia that develops after exposure to radiation and the increased risk of developing infection. Because no ...
The radiation does not affect the back passage (rectum, blue) at all. When LDR prostate brachytherapy (seed or polymer source implantation) is carried out, an ultrasound probe is inserted into the rectum (back passage), and images from this probe are used to assess the size and shape of the prostate gland .
Radiation therapy can have a significant impact on female fertility. The damage induced varies greatly and is determined by factors such as the age of the patient along with the dose and duration of treatment given. [1] Estimates suggest that less than 2Gy of radiation could destroy half of a female’s immature oocytes.