When we hear the word nuclear, most of our minds travel to anxious thoughts of bombs and war, but the word holds a very different meaning in the world of medicine. You may have heard the term “nuclear medicine” thrown around, but what exactly is nuclear medicine? It’s been popping up more in healthcare conversations, but what does it have to do with you? Read more to find out!
What Is Nuclear Medicine?
Years ago, some innovative scientists and medical professionals realized that nuclear energy is not just a good source of electricity, it can also play an important role in the medical field. Nuclear medicine studies were first performed in the 1950s using devices called gamma cameras, which measure the signals created when small amounts of radioactive chemicals are introduced into the body.
Today nuclear medicine refers to a brand of medical imaging that uses small amounts of radioactive material to help diagnose and treat a variety of conditions, including some cancers, heart disease, GI diseases, and neurological disorders, just to name a few.
What Is Nuclear Medicine Used For?
Physicians and medical professionals use nuclear medicine in a variety of ways. Nuclear medicine can be used to aid in diagnostic situations, as well as to assist with treatment or therapy for certain diseases. Nuclear medicine imaging procedures are usually non-invasive techniques that help doctors pinpoint and evaluate serious medical conditions.
Depending on the type of exam, the radioactive material—called a radiotracer—is either injected, swallowed or inhaled into the body. Then radioactive emissions are detected by a special imaging device. Nuclear medicine can also be used as a type of treatment or therapy. A great example of this is radioactive iodine therapy, which uses small amounts of radioactive material to treat cancer.
What Are the Benefits of Nuclear Medicine?
There are a number of benefits to utilizing nuclear medicine in the diagnostic and treatment phases of healthcare. Here are the top three:
It’s Key In Helping Diagnose Diseases Accurately.
Due to its complex technologies, nuclear medicine can help diagnose harmful or dangerous diseases in humans, and it can do so with more accuracy than other types of imaging. It can often eliminate the need for a more dangerous medical procedure or exploratory surgery.
It Aids In Early Detection.
Because of its ability to make complex medical procedures a bit simpler, nuclear medicine has forged the way for improved early detection of diseases. With nuclear medicine, doctors have more opportunities and choices when it comes to detecting and treating serious medical issues earlier.
It Can Be Used As A Powerful Treatment Tool.
Some doctors are already implementing nuclear medicine to treat certain types of cancers and the conditions associated with those diseases. Radiation and chemotherapy are modes of nuclear medicine that often put patients into remission and on the road to recovery.
Nuclear Medicine Radiation Exposure
The question most patients usually ask when they hear the words “nuclear medicine” from their doctor is: “is nuclear medicine dangerous”. The short answer is no. Although nuclear medicine procedures do emit a very low dose of radiation, it’s comparable to the amount a person would receive naturally from the environment or from taking a plane trip. It’s important to remember that these exams are only recommended when the benefit far outweighs the risk, so in most cases it is safe to undergo a nuclear medicine procedure.
Nuclear medicine is changing the way we approach the diagnosis and treatment of many diseases. If you find yourself in need of a nuclear medicine procedure, find a BICRAD location near you and schedule an appointment!