Radiation is found almost anywhere. In fact, you are exposed to radiation almost every day when you step outside into the sun. Sunlight is a form of radiation (energy beams) that can provoke bodily harm. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), two types of radiation exist: ionizing and non-ionizing radiation. Ionizing radiation refers to high-energy beams found in your natural environment, in nuclear weapons and in medical tests such as x-rays or radiation therapy. Non-ionizing radiation is a lower frequency form of energy found in the sun's ultraviolet light, electrical appliances, cellular phones and heaters. Excessive radiation exposure can lead to serious side effects.
Acute Radiation Syndrome
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) states that acute radiation syndrome, also known as radiation sickness, is a critical condition that results from exposure to high amounts of energy. For example, survivors of the Hiroshima bombing and the Chernobyl nuclear plant accident suffered from this medical emergency.
Symptoms of acute radiation syndrome include diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. These symptoms may be intermittent. You may be well one day and deathly ill the next. Other symptoms include convulsions, red skin, itching, hair loss and swelling.
Criteria for getting acute radiation syndrome include the following: a high amount of radiation that reaches your organs and full-body radiation exposure during a short amount of time, says the CDC. The CDC says that infections, bleeding and damaged bone marrow (located in the core of your bones and responsible for making all your blood cells) make acute radiation syndrome life threatening. Survivors of this condition may take up to 2 years to recover.
Cancer
Radiation exposure increases your risk for a wide variety of cancers. Cancer refers to a malignant (potentially fatal) condition where normal cells in your body become abnormal and overgrow. These clumps of cells may from tumors and metastasize (spread) to other areas of your body.
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), ionizing and non-ionizing radiation can damage your genetic blueprint, medically known as your DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). It can change your cell and cause cancer or result in apoptosis (cell death). The ACS indicates that your thyroid gland and bone marrow are sensitive to ionizing radiation exposure. In fact, leukemia (blood cancer) is the most common type of radiation cancer. The larger the radiation dose, the higher your chances of developing cancer. Sun exposure or ultraviolet light from artificial sources such as tanning beds increases your chances of getting skin cancer.
Other Side Effects
Radiation exposure can harm your unborn baby. Prenatal radiation exposure occurs when the mother is exposed to radiation. According to the CDC, unborn babies are sensitive to radiation exposure between the second and fifteenth week of pregnancy. Your child may have deformities, delayed growth, brain problems or cancer in later life. During the second week of pregnancy, the CDC says that you are susceptible to miscarry if exposed to radiation. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.
