What is the Difference Between a Chronic and Acute Medical Condition?

Chronic radiation syndrome is a syndrome that occurs after exposure to large doses of free radiation over the years. The rate and intensity of the development of chronic radiation syndrome is directly proportional to the radiation dose received, that is, it is entirely dependent on radiation exposure, but not on cancer caused by radiation. The difference between chronic radiation syndrome and acute radiation syndrome is that the radiation dose received by the patient is so low that the natural repair ability of the tissue can compete with radiation damage. Radiation that is high enough to cause acute symptoms (> ~ 0.1 Gy / h) is fatal enough to cause chronic symptoms. The threshold of radiation that causes chronic symptoms is between 0.7 and 1.5 Gy, and the rate is above 0.1 Gy / yr. This data was obtained from the Kestem accident, in which 66 patients were diagnosed. An International Commission on Radiological Protection publication that is still a draft may raise existing radiation thresholds.

Ionizing radiation

Acute radiation syndrome , also known as radiation poisoning or radiation sickness (ARS), is a symptom caused by a patient exposed to large doses of free radiation within 24 hours. The symptoms can last for months. This term means acute medical problems, not chronic radiation syndromes that result from long-term radiation exposure.

The onset and type of symptoms depend on the patient's radiation exposure. Smaller doses of radiation have an effect on the digestive system, such as nausea, vomiting, and symptoms associated with decreased blood index such as infections and bleeding. Large doses of radiation can cause symptoms of neurological damage and rapid death. The general treatment for acute radiation syndrome is blood transfusions and antibiotics.

The low-dose radiation that causes chronic radiation syndrome does not cause acute syndrome, but similar symptoms may occur under years of exposure. Radiation exposure also increases the probability of certain other diseases, such as cancer. These diseases are sometimes mentioned as radiation sickness, but they are never included in acute radiation syndrome. ^[1]