Oxygen free radicals: in search of a unifying theory of disease.

The purpose of this paper is to examine the subject of oxygen free radicals and the damage they do in the human body, providing understanding of the basic principles involved, while at the same time highlighting areas of debate relevant to nurses working in critical care areas. Links to various areas of disease are explored, including coronary artery disease, cancer and reperfusion injuries. Ageing is also discussed. The role of antioxidant therapy is examined, as is the need for further research of the subject in general.