Treatments for Radiation Sickness

Radiation sickness usually occurs when the body is exposed to a large dose of radiation in a short time period. The amount absorbed by the body defines the extent of the sickness. Radiation sickness is rare, but it is especially known to occur when the body is exposed to and absorbs more than 1 Gy of radiation. Treatments curb the symptoms of radiation sickness, but currently there is no cure.

Decontamination

• The first step to any treatment is decontamination, which means removing as many of the radiation particles as possible. Wash all clothing and the entire body with clear water and soap. This lowers the risk of further radioactive particle absorption.

Protein Treatment

• According to the Mayo Clinic, radioactive exposure severe enough to affect the bone marrow may require a protein-based treatment. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor is one such protein that helps increase the production of white blood cells, thus counteracting the exposure to the bone marrow. Medication that contains this protein includes filgrastim, also called Neupogen.

Potassium Iodide

• Internal exposure to radioactive iodine that may cause radiation sickness may be treated by potassium iodide. According to the Mayo Clinic, potassium iodide targets the thyroid and slows the absorption of the radioactive material into the bloodstream. The radioiodine is eventually released from the body through the urine.

Prussian Blue

• Prussian blue dye clears the radioactive elements cesium and thallium from the body. These particles are then excreted from the body through feces.

Antihistamines

• Antihistamines help alleviate such symptoms as nausea and vomiting. Chlorpheniramine maleate, the active ingredient in antihistamines, helps reduce hypotension and relaxes patients.

Macrobiotic Diet

• A naturopathic macrobiotic diet is said to help control symptoms of prolonged radioactive exposure. Such a diet includes the consumption of brown rice, wakame and other similar sea vegetables while avoiding sugar and processed foods. These products are said to soak up the radioactive particles and help the body excrete the toxins.

Bath Soak

• For the external cleansing of radioactive particles, soaking in baking soda may help. Baking soda is said to pull out the radiation and cleanse the body, helping it become cooler and less prone to prolonged symptomatic radiation sickness.