Radiation protection Health Dictionary

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Radiation Protection: From 1 Different Sources

measures designed to limit the dose of harmful radiation to patients and workers. Medical exposure to radiation is governed in the UK by the Department of Health and Social Care under the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposures) Regulations 2000 (IRMER). A guiding theme of protection is the ALARA principle (“as low as reasonably achievable”).
Health Source: Oxford | Concise Colour Medical Dictionary
Author: Jonathan Law, Elizabeth Martin

Radiation Sickness

The term applied to the nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite which may follow exposure to RADIATION – for example, at work – or the use of RADIOTHERAPY in the treatment of cancer and other diseases. People exposed to radiation at work should have that exposure carefully monitored so it does not exceed safety limits. Doses of radiation given during radiotherapy treatment are carefully measured: even so, patients may suffer side-effects. The phenothiazine group of tranquillisers, such as CHLORPROMAZINE, as well as the ANTIHISTAMINE DRUGS, are of value in the prevention and treatment of radiation sickness.... radiation sickness

Infrared Radiation

The band of electromagnetic radiation which has a longer wavelength than that of the red in the visible spectrum. Infrared radiation is used in the special photographic process essential to THERMOGRAPHY. Its property of transmitting radiant heat has made infrared radiation invaluable in PHYSIOTHERAPY, where it warms tissues, soothes pain and increases the local circulation.... infrared radiation

Radiation

Energy in the form of waves or particles. Radiation is mainly electromagnetic and is broadly classi?ed as ionising and non-ionising. The former can propel ions from an atom; these have an electrical charge and can combine chemically with each other. Ionisation occurring in molecules that have a key function in living tissue can cause biological damage which may affect existing tissue or cause mutations in the GENES of germ-cell nuclei (see GAMETE; CELLS). Non-ionising radiation agitates the constituent atoms of nuclei but is insu?ciently powerful to produce ions.

Ionising radiation comprises X-RAYS, GAMMA RAYS and particle radiation. X-rays are part of the continuous electromagnetic-wave spectrum: this also includes gamma rays, infra-red radiation, ultraviolet light and visible light. They have a very short wavelength and very high frequency, and their ability to penetrate matter depends upon the electrical energy generating them. X-rays that are generated by 100,000 volts can pass through body tissue and are used to produce images – popularly known as X-rays. X-rays, generated at several million volts can destroy tissue and are used in RADIOTHERAPY for killing cancer cells. Gamma rays are similar to X-rays but are produced by the decay of radioactive materials. Particle radiation, which can be produced electrically or by radioactive decay, comprises parts of atoms which have mass as well as (usually) an electrical charge.

Non-ionising radiation includes ultraviolet light, radio waves, magnetic ?elds and ULTRASOUND. Magnetic ?elds are used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound, which is inaudible high-frequency sound waves, and is used for both diagnoses and treatment in medicine.... radiation

Sanitary Protection

Disposable sanitary towels or tampons (see TAMPON) used to protect clothing from bloodstains during MENSTRUATION. They are available in different absorbencies to meet women’s individual needs.... sanitary protection

Data Protection Act 1998

This legislation puts into e?ect the UK European Directive 95/46/EC on the processing of personal data, whether paper or computer records. The Act is based on eight principles, the ?rst of which stipulates that ‘personal data shall be processed fairly and lawfully’. Unfortunately this phrase is open to di?erent interpretations. Clari?cation is required to determine how the common-law duty of con?dentiality affects the health services in the context of using data obtained from patients for research work, especially epidemiological studies (see EPIDEMIOLOGY). Health authorities, trusts and primary care groups in the NHS have appointed ‘Caldicott guardians’ – named after a review of information that identi?es patients. A prime responsibility of the guardians is to agree and review internal protocols for the protection and use of identi?able information obtained from patients. The uncertainties over the interpretation of the legislation require clari?cation, but some experts have suggested a workable solution: to protect patients’ rights, researchers should ensure that data are fully anonymised whenever possible; they should also agree their project design with those responsible for data protection well in advance of its planned starting date. (See ETHICS.)... data protection act 1998

National Infection Control And Health Protection Agency

A National Health Service body intended to combat the increasing threat from infectious diseases and biological, chemical and radiological hazards. Covering England, the agency includes the Public Health Laboratory Service, the National Radiological Protection Board, the Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research, and the National Focus Group for Chemical Incidents.... national infection control and health protection agency

Child Protection Register

(in Britain) a confidential list of children whose social circumstances render them at risk of neglect or abuse. Each local authority maintains a register of children who are subject to a child protection plan, who will receive extra support and surveillance from health and/or social services. See also safeguarding.... child protection register

Consultant In Health Protection

(CHP) a consultant within *Public Health England who is responsible for the surveillance, prevention, and control of communicable disease and noncommunicable environmental exposures. While no longer the preferred term, the older form Consultant in Communicable Disease Control (CCDC) is still sometimes used. See also public health consultant.... consultant in health protection

Health Protection

the branch of *public health medicine that is concerned with protecting the population from communicable diseases, chemicals and poisons, radiation, and other potential threats to health. See Public Health England.... health protection

Health Protection Agency

(HPA) formerly, a nondepartmental public body set up as a special health authority in 2003 to protect the health of the UK population via advice and support to the NHS, local authorities, the Department of Health, emergency services, and others. The HPA was abolished in April 2013; its responsibilities were largely passed to *Public Health England. See Consultant in Health Protection.... health protection agency

Ozone Radiation

Harmful ultraviolet radiation from depletion of the ozone layer may affect general health and cause skin cancers, cataracts and immune deficiency. The protection offered by antioxidant nutrients can play a part in reducing the incidence of lens cataract. Until scientific medicine discovers effective treatment it would appear that Vitamins A, E, and Evening Primrose oil have a role to play in protection of the eyes and skin. Horsetail, rich in silica, is believed to delay progression of cataract when taken internally.

Topical. Creams to prevent burning: Vitamin E, Evening Primrose, Houseleek, Aloe Vera. Honey. Most creams contain Vitamin E which acts as a filter and moisturiser.

Diet. Foods rich in beta-carotene, Vitamins C and E.

Supplements. Vitamins A and E.

Note: Use of sunglasses and sun screens on sunny days to avoid burning. Wearing of a hat. ... ozone radiation

Radiation Hazards

Hazards from radiation may arise from external sources of radiation or from radioactive materials taken into the body. The effects depend on the dose, the duration of exposure, and the organs exposed.

With some forms of radiation, damage occurs when the radiation dose exceeds a certain limit, usually 1 sievert (Sv) (see radiation unit). This damage may include radiation dermatitis, cataracts, organ failure (which may occur many years later), or radiation sickness.

For other types of radiation damage, the risk that damage will occur increases with increasing doses of radiation. Cancer caused by radiation-induced mutation is the major example of this type of damage. Radioactive leaks from nuclear reactors can cause a rise in mutation rates, which may lead to an increase in cancers, such as leukaemias; to birth defects; and to hereditary diseases. Cancer usually develops years after exposure. Radiation damage can be controlled by limiting exposure. People exposed to radiation at work have their exposure closely monitored to ensure that it does not exceed safe limits. People of reproductive age or younger should have their reproductive organs shielded when having X-rays or radiotherapy.There is no evidence of radiation hazards with visual display units (VDUs).... radiation hazards

Radiation Unit

Several different internationally agreed units (called units) are used to measure ionizing radiation. For example, the roentgen (R) measures the amount of radiation in the air, and the becquerel is the unit of spontaneous activity of a radioactive source such as uranium. For medical purposes, the most commonly used units are the gray (Gy) and the sievert (Sv).

The gray is the unit of radiation that is actually absorbed by any tissue or substance as a result of exposure to radiation. 1 Gy is the absorption of 1 joule of energy (from gamma radiation or X-rays) per kilogram of irradiated matter. The gray supersedes an older unit called the rad (1 Gy = 100 rads).

Because some types of radiation affect biological organisms more than others, the sievert is used as a measure of the impact of an absorbed dose. It uses additional factors, such as the kind of radiation and its energy, to quantify the effects on the body of equivalent amounts of different types of absorbed energy. The sievert replaces an older unit, the rem (1 Sv=100 rems).... radiation unit

Data Protection

legal safeguards relating to the use and storage of personal information about a living person. Under the Data Protection Act 2018, which implements the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and supersedes the Data Protection Act 1998, individuals have a basic right to control information stored about them. Information concerning health, considered ‘sensitive personal data’ under the legislation, must be used only for the purpose (health care of the individual) for which it was gathered, must be kept secret, and cannot be used or passed on to others without the knowledge of the subject. However, anonymized health data from individual patients’ electronic records may be used for research purposes or to improve medical treatment and health-service delivery.... data protection

Patient Protection And Affordable Care Act

(PPACA) see Affordable Care Act 2010.... patient protection and affordable care act

Selective Internal Radiation Therapy

see radioembolization.... selective internal radiation therapy

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