The aim of the research is to provide a solution to the problems that arise due to the high doses of radiation. Radiation is used in the treatment of diseases that involves the usage of high radiation therapies such as X-rays, CT scans, ultrasound scan and MRI scan. Major radio therapy techniques have led to adverse effects on patients due to the excess dosage of radiation. The research would help to reduce the harmful effects caused by the exposure to radiation by designing radiation protection programs that protect workers, patients and the environment. The newer X ray and CT scan systems implement more procedural and complex methods in order to study the minutest anatomical information.
The new techniques have started using high doses of radiation that may develop acute exposure or radiation poisoning in the patients. High level exposure to radiation for short periods of time is known as acute exposure. Acute exposure causes non-cancerous side effects such as radiation poisoning, which has the capability to cause premature aging, weakness, hair loss, abnormal function of internal organs and even death in rare cases. The research also explains the ways to lower the unnecessary exposure to radiation. It can be achieved by reducing unnecessary testing that involves high doses of radiation. Another strategy is to develop more sophisticated methods in order to lower the high doses of radiation delivered for each imaging session.
New imaging technologies have proven to deliver large doses of radiation when compared to the conventional x-rays. The increase in the doses of radiation used in medical treatments has increased with the increase in the extensive use of CT. Hence, the research will help to diagnose and decide the right amount of radiation that can be given to a person without causing any harm. The research will quantify the risks of medical imaging techniques that use high doses of radiation. Thus, it would minimize the further injury caused to a patient. The research also helps to find the noise index, which is a key factor in lowering the dose of radiation.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is another procedure used in the diagnosis of diseases. MRI scans use a combination of a powerful magnet and radio frequencies that are linked to a computer to produce detailed and clarity images of the internal organs of the body. Unlike X-rays and CT scans, MRI does not use ionizing radiation. The technology implemented in MRI scan is designed in such a way that the procedure is done quickly with minimal discomfort or pain. However, the high radiation produced by the magnets is harmful and hence should be used to address important problems and abnormalities.
The benefits of the radiation protection systems must outweigh the risk. The amount of radiation exposure must be limited to a specific quantity that is safe to the environment. The radiation dosage can be measured as the amount of energy absorbed by a substance, when the energy is absorbed into the living tissues. The intensity of the damage depends on the amount and duration of radiation exposure faced by a person. Radiation can damage the cells of the body and break the chemical bond between the atoms. The human body attempts to repair the damage caused by radiation, but the damage might sometimes be so intense in nature, that it cannot be repaired or it is too severe be repaired.
Radiation can cause changes in the DNA of the human body, which is called as mutation. Standardization of medical processes, implementing sophisticated technologies to control the exposure and intensity of the dose of radiation have a major impact in resolving the problems arising due to high doses of radiation. It is impossible to expect the risk of high doses radiation to reduce to zero, but the research will guide on the efforts that can be made to prevent the issues arising due to high doses of radiation. It has been observed that wrong diagnosis and incorrect use of radiation treatment has a high impact on the outcome.
Radiation is an effective treatment for many types of diseases. However, radiation may cause side effects based on different factors such as the type and location of the disease, the doses of radiation used in the treatment, and the person's health. Side effects associated with the treatments that include high doses of radiation can lead to the destruction of healthy cells and tissues located near the infected cells. For some people, there might be little or no side effects. However, for others, the side effects may be more severe. The common side effects include skin problems such as dryness of the skin, peeling, itching, blistering and many others. The issues usually resolve in a few weeks after the completion of the treatment or sometimes it may take a few months.
Cancer is considered as the primary health effect faced by most of the people who are exposed to high levels of radiation. Radiation is also accountable for severe effects on the brain and the nervous system of the human body. Radiation can also cause cataracts, which means clouding of the lens of the eye. Cataract can occur over a period of months’ exposure to continuous high dosage of radiation. Very high exposure to radiation has proved to cause permanent sterility in both men and women. Radiation has also proved to cause genetic effects in the off-springs. It may also cause childhood cancer in babies who were exposed to high dosage of radiation before birth. Radiation can also cause side effects to the chest, which include shortness of breath, cough and stiffness in the shoulders. In rare cases, it may lead to inflammation in the lungs. The stomach is also affected by radiation.
Side effects of radiation faced by the stomach and abdomen are nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The symptoms disappear gradually after the completion of the treatment. Side effects of radiation can also affect the pelvic system of the body by causing diarrhea, and affecting the reproductive system in women. Side effects such as diarrhea can be prevented by drinking excess liquids and fluids every day. An anti-diarrheal medicine can also be taken in serious cases. By avoiding eating spicy foods, fried foods and high-fat foods that are hard to digest can help to decrease vomiting caused by radiation. The patients affected by nausea and vomiting should contact the doctor immediately if the case is severe or persistent.
Another common problem due to the high dosage of radiation is fatigue. In other words, fatigue means the sense of exhaustion or tiredness. The level of fatigue may depend on the type of treatment. Most of the side effects vanish after the radiation treatment has finished; however, some long-term side effects may occur after months or years after the completion of the treatment. In addition to the general side effects described above, some side effects of radiation therapy depend on where the radiation is given. Radiation effecting head and neck may cause dry mouth, nausea, gum sores and difficulty while swallowing food.
The research will require the manufacturers to develop imaging devices that create diagnostic images, by using lower doses of radiation. It would help the manufacturers to closely work and develop effective software and hardware solutions to reduce the doses of radiation in the imaging systems that are currently used in the market. The research also investigates about adopting uniform and unique standards to manufacture machines that improve the safety of the patients. The X-ray manufacturing companies benefit by improving their imaging systems, leading to noise reduction and low dose of radiation, but, maintaining a high image quality.
Most of the modern X-ray machines provide information on the amount of radiation a person is exposed to during the procedure. However, the patients, physicians and radiologists underestimate the adverse effects of radiation caused to the heart. The ultimate goal of the patients is to gain clinical benefit out of the instruments. The research justifies the need to optimize imaging protocols in order to reduce unnecessary and harmful radiation. The research also justifies the need for patients to tract the amount of radiation to which they are exposed to, while undergoing any imaging technique that uses radiation. The research mainly concentrates on using low doses of radiation, while at the same time maintaining a satisfactory image quality.
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