What are the adverse effects of radiation on human beings

The vast majority of American adults — 97% — own a cellphone of some kind, according to the For more than a decade, “People are addicted to their smartphones,” said Moskowitz. “We use them for everything now, and, in many ways, we need them to function in our daily lives. I think the idea that they’re potentially harming our health is too much for some people.” Since cellphones first came onto the market in 1983, they have gone from clunky devices with bad reception to today’s sleek, multifunction smartphones. And although Joel Moskowitz is a researcher in the School of Public Health and director of the Center for Family and Community Health at UC Berkeley. (School of Public Health photo) “Cellphones, cell towers and other wireless devices are regulated by most governments,” said Moskowitz. “Our government, however, stopped funding research on the health effects of radiofrequency radiation in the 1990s.” Since then, he said, research has shown significant adverse biologic and health effects — including brain cancer — associated with the use of cellphones and other wireless devices. And now, he said, with the fifth generation of cellular technology, known as Berkeley News spoke with Moskowitz about the health risks of cellphone radiation, why the topic is so controversial and what we can expect with the rollout of 5G. Berkeley News: I think we should address upfront is how controversial this research is. Some scientists have said that these findings are without basis and th...

Radiation therapy External beam radiation uses high-powered beams of energy to kill cancer cells. Beams of radiation are precisely aimed at the cancer using a machine that moves around your body. Radiation therapy, also called radiotherapy, is a type of cancer treatment. This treatment uses beams of intense energy to kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy most often uses X-rays. But other types of radiation therapy exist, including proton radiation. Modern methods of radiation are precise. They aim beams directly at the cancer while protecting healthy tissues from high doses of radiation. Radiation therapy can be given inside or outside of your body. The most common kind is external beam radiation therapy. This treatment uses a large machine called a linear accelerator. High-energy beams are aimed from the machine to a precise point on your body. Radiation treatment that goes inside the body is called brachytherapy (brak-e-THER-uh-pee). Brachytherapy also is a common cancer treatment. During this therapy, a provider places a small solid implant in or near the cancer. Radiation therapy damages cells by destroying their genetic material. Genetic material controls how cells grow and divide. Healthy cells may be damaged along with cancer cells during radiation therapy. But healthy cells can repair themselves more easily than cancer cells. The goal of the radiation therapy is to treat the cancer while harming as few healthy cells as possible. Why it's done Radiation therapy is us...

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One common and effective treatment for breast cancer is radiation therapy. However, it does have some side effects. A doctor may recommend There are two main types of radiation treatment: • External beam radiation: This involves a doctor applying radiation from an external machine to the breast and surrounding tissue. • Internal radiation (brachytherapy): This involves placing a small radioactive pellet into the body for a short period. The right treatment for Read on for more information about the short-term, long-term, and rare side effects of radiation for breast cancer. Short-term side effects occur during the treatment or directly afterward, usually within 6 months. Common short-term side effects include: • Pain: Some people experience mild discomfort or pain around the breast, or stiffness in the shoulder area. Over time, treatments should become less uncomfortable. • Skin changes: Skin damage is a common side effect of radiation therapy, and having a good skin care routine is essential during treatment. Changes to the skin can include: • color changes • peeling or flaking • skin that feels tender, dry, itchy or sore • blisters • excess moisture and weeping • Swelling: The breast or surrounding tissue may become swollen or inflamed. Swelling should reduce within a few weeks of the end of treatment. • Hair loss in the armpit or chest: When a doctor applies radiation to the lymph nodes in the armpit and chest, it can cause • A sore throat: Applying radiation to the lym...

Radiation is the emission of energy as electromagnetic waves or moving subatomic particles. Natural radiation comes from many naturally occurring radioactive materials found in soil, water, air and in the body. Every day, people inhale and ingest forms of radiation from air, food and water. Today, the most common artificial sources of human exposure to radiation are X-ray machines and radiopharmaceuticals used for diagnostic or radiotherapy and other medical devices. Exposure to radiation can result from natural, planned (medical, occupational) or accidental situations and it may be external, internal (inhalation, ingestion or absorption via a contaminated wound), or a combination of both. Excessive exposure to radiation may damage living tissues and organs, depending on the amount of radiation received (i.e. the dose). The extent of the potential damage depends on several factors, including: • the type of radiation • the sensitivity of the affected tissues and organs • the manner and length of time exposed • the radioactive isotopes involved • characteristics of the exposed person (such as age, gender and underlying condition). The risk of developing adverse health effects depends on the radiation dose. The higher the dose, the higher the risk of adverse effects. If the radiation dose is low or it is delivered over a long period of time, the risk is substantially lower because the damage to cells and molecules will be repaired by the body. At very high doses, radiation ca...