Physical Principles of Radiation Medicine

This chapter deals with physical, biophysical and some medical problems related to the action of ionizing radiation on humans and other biological objects. Ionizing radiation is a general term that includesX-rays X-rays, all types of radioactive radiation, i.e. alpha, beta, and gamma radiation, as well as streams of particles X-raysstreams of particles(protons, neutrons, etc.). Radiation medicine Radiation medicine(in a broad sense) studies the physical, chemical and biological mechanisms of the impact of ionizing radiation Ionizing radiationon the human body, methods of treatment of radiation damages and prevention of medical consequences of ionizing radiation. The main issues covered below are as following. In Sect. 6.2A—general information (at a qualitative level) about X-rays (Sect. 6.2.1), radioactive radiation X-rays- radioactive radiation(Sect. 6.2.2), ionizing radiation and its interaction with biological tissues (Sect. 6.2.3), physical, chemical and biological stages of radiation damage (Sect. 6.2.4). In Sect. 6.3B—a more detailed analysis (at the quantitative level) of deceleration (bremsstrahlung) and characteristic X-ray radiation (Sect. 6.3.1), theoretical problems of radioactive radiation (Sect. 6.3.2), theoretical foundations of ionizing radiation dosimetry (Sect. 6.3.3), theoretical basis of the interaction of ionizing radiationDosimetry of ionizing radiation with biolodical tissues (Sect. 6.3.4). It is difficult to overestimate the importance of knowledge in this field for a modern doctor, especially in connection with the problems facing humanity today.