Table of Contents
How are radioactive isotopes used in medicine?
Diagnostic techniques in nuclear medicine use radioactive tracers which emit gamma rays from within the body. These tracers are generally short-lived isotopes linked to chemical compounds which permit specific physiological processes to be scrutinized. They can be given by injection, inhalation, or orally.
What are three uses of radioactive isotopes in medicine?
The most widely used radioactive pharmaceutical for diagnostic studies in nuclear medicine. Different chemical forms are used for brain, bone, liver, spleen and kidney imaging and also for blood flow studies.
How are gamma rays used in medicine?
Gamma rays are widely used in medicine and specifically in the area of oncology to treat malignant and cancerous tumors during a process called gamma knife surgery. In this type of treatment, concentrated beams of gamma rays are directed at tumors in order to kill cancerous cells.
What are the side effects of radioactive isotopes?
effects: hair loss, skin burns, nausea, gastrointestinal distress, or death (Acute Radiation Syndrome). Long-term health risks include an increased cancer risk. Such risks depend upon the function of the specific radioisotope; and the route, magnitude, and duration of exposure.
What are the two applications of isotopes?
1) Isotopes of iodine are used for radiotherapy in treatment of hyperthyroidism, cancer, etc. 2) Uranium, Radium, Polonium isotopes are used in atomic reactors. 3) Cobalt isotopes are used for irradiation of food products.
What are two medical uses of radioactive isotopes?
Radioactive isotopes are used to form images of the thyroid, bones, heart, liver, and many other organs. They used also have helped in treating diseased organs and tumors. The most commonly used example of such isotopes is technetium-99, which accounts for 80% of nuclear medicine procedures.
What are the main uses of radioactive isotopes?
Radioactive isotopes are useful for establishing the ages of various objects. The half-life of radioactive isotopes is unaffected by any environmental factors, so the isotope acts like an internal clock.
What are radioactive isotopes used to detect medical problems?
It is used for diagnoses involving a large range of body parts and diseases such as cancers and neurological problems. Another well-known radioactive isotope used in medicine is I-131 (Iodine-131), which is used as a radioactive label for some radiopharmaceutical therapies or for the treatment of some types of thyroid cancer.
What are the names of some radioactive isotopes?
Uranium-238 ( 238 U)