Understanding Patient Needs Congressmen Aid Nuclear Medicine Jnm Snmjournals Form

Instructions and help about Understanding Patient Needs Congressmen Aid Nuclear Medicine Jnm Snmjournals

Nuclear medicine is a medical specialty  that uses radioactive substances,   called radiopharmaceuticals, to diagnose  and treat a variety of diseases.  Radiopharmaceuticals are introduced  into the patient’s body by swallowing,   injection or inhalation. These substances are then attracted  to specific organs, bones or tissues. As the radioactive substance  travels through the body,   it emits radiation which is  then detected by a camera. Nuclear medicine, in a sense,  is radiology done inside out   because it creates images from  radiation emitted from within the body   rather than radiation that is generated  by external sources, such as X-rays.  Nuclear medicine is unique because it images  organ function, rather than just the anatomy.   A poorly functioning organ will emit a  different signal than a healthy organ.   This allows us to not only monitor cancer  but also indicates the activity of many   organs including the heart,  lungs, kidneys and