The medical field has evolved in so many ways over the years. Finding cures for different diseases, using high tech equipment, and utilizing other life saving changes. Technology has been a major tool in these advancements. One great procedure that has been advanced over the years is that of nuclear medicine.
Nuclear medicine is where low-level radioactive chemicals are introduced to the body through oral or intravenous means. These chemicals then collect temporarily in specific parts of the body that need to be studied. They emit a faint gamma ray signal that is measured by a gamma camera. The gamma camera is then able to convert that signal into light, which is then converted to an electrical signal that can be reconstructed into an image by a computer. Doctors can then read the computerized image to look for tumors or other problems in the individual's body.
Nuclear medicine can show how a variety of organs and body parts are functioning or can diagnose many different medical conditions. If examining the heart, it can help diagnose coronary artery disease, valve disease or even a possible heart attack. It can even check to see if bypass surgery is working effectively. If you are using nuclear medicine to look at lungs, you are able to check for pulmonary embolism, lung transplant rejection, or you are even able to test to see if someone that has been burned has an injury from smoke inhalation.
One of the main things people think about when they think of nuclear medicine is cancer. Many cancer patients have to go through radiation and it is a great way to find existing cancer. You can find tumors through nuclear medicine in the liver, spleen, breast, brain, stomach, lymphatic system, thyroid, and more. The earlier cancer is detected, the easier it is to treat successfully. The use of nuclear medicine has made it possible to find cancer early on and treat it before it becomes too major of a problem. If you have had cancer in the past, it can help make sure that the cancer tumors are not returning.
Technology is a great tool that we have been given. It has helped in the medical field to save lives. Because of nuclear medicine, people are that are affected by disease or other medical problems have a great chance of being able to recover and live a full and happy life.
Author Resource:-
BC Technical is the leading Molecular Imaging solution provider of service, support, and refurbished systems and parts for the Nuclear, PET, PET/CT, SPECT, and SPECT/CT market, which includes gamma camera, gamma camera collimator, and nuclear cameras. (http://www.bctechnical.com)
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