Nuclear+Chemistry+in+Medicine

**__Nuclear Chemistry in Medicine__** =-Nuclear medicine is the branch of medicine that deals with the use of radioactive substances in research, diagnosis, and treatment.= = = =-Nuclear medicine uses extremely small amounts of radioactive materials called radiopharmaceuticals.= = = =-Radiopharmaceutical is a radioactive compound used for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.= =--> During treatment the radiopharmaceuticals go directly into the organ that is being treated.= =--> During imaging, special cameras that work with computers create very detailed pictures about the part of the body that is being examined.= = = =-Nuclear radiation can be used to treat illnesses such as cancer. Radiation works by damaging the genes or the DNA in the cells because the genes control how the cell grows and divides. When radiation damages the genes of the cancerous cell the cell can't grow or divide anymore. Eventually, hopefully all cancerous cells and tumors are killed from the radiation treatments.=



**-Most misconceptions about nuclear medicine are that people think that nuclear medicine will most likely harm someone instead of help them which is usually not the case** **-Nuclear medicine is safe. Depending on the age of the person and what could be going on with their body, only certain amounts of nuclear medicine will be given to keep them safe**

=-Nuclear medicine imaging can be done by using a gamma camera which shows how the organ is functioning. That is the main difference between nuclear medicine imaging and radiologic tests. Radiologic tests just show the anatomy of the organ (how they look).= = = = = =--> X-Rays are a type of scan that uses x-rays beams to generate a picture of the persons body= = = = -->MRI is a type of imaging that uses magnetic fields and wave energy to make an image of the organisms body structure and organs  =
 * --> CAT Scan is a type of imaging similar to an x-ray using computerized axial tomography **

= -Some careers that involve nuclear medicine is a nuclear medicine technologist which is someone who uses machines like x-rays, CAT scans and MRI scans. Also there is radiopharmacology which is the study of radiopharmaceticals. =

= By: Avery Schatzman =

=**Works Cited:**= []

[]

[]