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RADIATION EXPOSURE
Published By OWC Research Staff on November 13, 2010
Radiation Exposure
Radiation damage may occur after a patient receives radiation therapy or is exposed to products or substances containing radiation. This includes x-ray imaging, nuclear power, or fallout from atomic weapons. Radiation damage may cause cancer, birth defects, and other serious health problems.
Nutrients, Herbs, and Alternative Therapies Used to Treat Radiation Exposure
Nutrition and Supplements
These nutritional tips may help reduce symptoms:
Nutritional deficiencies may be addressed with the following supplements:
Herbs
Herbs are generally available as standardized, dried extracts (pills, capsules, or tablets), teas, or tinctures/liquid extracts (alcohol extraction, unless otherwise noted). Mix liquid extracts with your favorite beverage. Dose for teas is 1 – 2 heaping teaspoonfuls per cup of water, steeped for 10 – 15 minutes (roots need longer).
Homeopathy
Radium bromatum is specific for radiation poisoning, especially followed by arthritic complaints. Acute dose is three to five pellets of 12X to 30C every 1 – 4 hours until symptoms are relieved.
Physical Medicine
A body wash of coneflower, goldenseal, comfrey root (Symphytumofficinalis), and sea buckthorn (Hippophaerhamnoides) helps healing and reduces the risk of infection. Vitamin E oil applied to the skin twice daily and Aloe vera extract applied as needed help healing.
Signs and Symptoms
Acute radiation sickness occurs within 24 hours of exposure. Chronic radiation syndrome is a range of symptoms occurring over an extended time.
Radiation damage is accompanied by the following signs and symptoms, which can occur immediately or months or years after exposure to radiation:
Dysfunction of the reproductive organs
Causes
Damage occurs when radiation interacts with oxygen, causing certain molecules to form. These molecules can damage or break strands of DNA in the body’s cells. This can result in cell death.
Risks
People who have been exposed to radiation and who also have the following conditions or characteristics are at risk for developing radiation damage:
Exposure to radiation prior to birth (while in the womb)
Prevention
If you are receiving radiation treatment to treat cancer, your health care provider can take certain precautions to help prevent or reduce the risk of radiation damage. These may include administering low-dose radiation, using radio-protectant chemicals, and special shields for other parts of your body.
Treatment Plan
The treatment plan depends on the type of radiation damage. Decontamination, if warranted, is essential. Transfusion of fluids, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets may be necessary.
Drug Therapies
Your provider may prescribe a variety of medications, depending on the specific ailments resulting from radiation damage.
Surgical and Other Procedures
Surgery may be required to prevent further cell damage, or to graft healthy tissue onto a damaged area.