Gastrointestinal Syndrome

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Gastrointestinal Syndrome
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Acute Radiation Syndrome

• 100 rads or more of exposure required
• Full body exposure of radiation must come from an
  outside source
• Radiation must be penetrating enough to reach
  internal organs (x-rays, gamma rays and neutrons)

• 3 types of ARS
• Hematopoiatic Syndrome
• Gastrointestinal Syndrome
• Central Nervous System Syndrome

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Doses for ARS
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Digestive System

• Important to break down the food we eat into
  nutrients for distribution through our body.
• GI tract lining is a semi permeable membrane that
  absorbs nutrients and acts as a barrier to
  toxins.
• Damage will allow the wrong substances to seep
  through into the bloodstream.
• Radiation dose of 1000 rads or more will cause
  damage to the GI tract lining

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Gastrointestinal Syndrome

• Damage to GI tract, especially the small
  intestines as well as the bone marrow
• Intestinal wall is covered with small fingerlike
  projections protruding into the lumen called
  villi.
• The villi absorbs sugars and amino acids and
  secretes them into the bloodstream.
• At the base of each villi is a circular
  depression called the krypts of lieberkuhn, which
  is responsible for the formation of the villi.

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Gastrointestinal Syndrome

• A radiation dose of 1000 rads or more causes
  damage to the krypts of lieberkuhn which in turn
  causes cell loss in the villi resulting in
  flattened or denuded villi. No absorption will be
  taking place in the small intestines.

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Paneth and Stem cells

• Stem cells are damaged by 1000 rads or more. They
  act as the repair system. They replenish other
  cells that are damaged
• Paneth cells are also damaged. They contain an
  antibacterial enzyme, zinc and other
  glycoprotiens which take part in regulating the
  normal bacterial flora of the small intestines.
• When paneth cells are damaged bacteria can pass
  through the intestinal wall and enter the
  bloodstream causing a systemic infection. This
  bacteria also causes a decrease in the white
  blood cell count.

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Stages in Gastrointestinal Syndrome

• Predomal Exposure of 1000 rads or more. A
  person begins to experience diarrhea, cramps,
  vomiting, anorexia and severe nausea occur. This
  stage lasts for about 2 days.
• Latent stage Patient may appear and feel well.
  The lining of the GI tract and stem cells are
  actually dying. This stage lasts for more than a
  week.
• Manifest illness stage A person will experience
  the actual effects of the damage caused by the
  radiation. Symptoms of severe diarrhea, fever,
  dehydration, malaise, anorexia and electrolyte
  imbalances are experienced.
• Death occurs within 2 weeks of exposure.