Overview
Radiation sickness, also known as acute radiation syndrome (ARS) or “radiation poisoning,” is a life-threatening condition that results from prolonged or significant exposure to ionizing radiation. Ionizing radiation is energy used to generate power in manufacturing, industrial and military settings. It’s used in small doses for some medical procedures.
Radiation sickness is generally associated with acute (sudden and severe) exposure, like from a nuclear power plant accident. Its severity depends on:
- The amount of radiation your body absorbs (measured in units called Gray, or Gy).
- How long you were exposed.
- If all or a certain part of your body was exposed.
Exposure to a high, single dose over minutes to hours is more damaging than several smaller doses given over weeks or months to a small area of your body (such as with radiation therapy for cancer). Large doses of ionizing radiation can lead to death within hours or several months after exposure.
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Symptoms
Complications
Blood clots are a dangerous complication of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Blood clots can lead to stroke.
The risk of stroke from AFib increases as you grow older. Other health conditions also may increase the risk of a stroke due to AFib. These conditions include:
- High blood pressure.
- Diabetes.
- Heart failure.
- Some types of heart valve disease.
Blood thinners are commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots and strokes in people with atrial fibrillation.
Prevention
Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and may prevent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Here are some basic heart-healthy tips:
- Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
- Don't smoke or use tobacco.
- Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
- Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
- Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Reduce and manage stress.
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