TestimonialsRight and Wrong in terms of RadiationNuclear medicine uses very small amounts of radioactive materials, called radiopharmaceuticals or radiotracers, to diagnose and treat disease. The radiation risk involved in these procedures is very low compared with the potential benefits. There are no known long-term adverse side effects from nuclear medicine procedures, which have been performed for more than 50 years. Allergic reactions may occur but are extremely rare and usually mild.
What is radiation? Radiation is simply a type of energy. The most familiar form of radiation is visible light, like that produced from the sun or a light bulb. Other form of radiation, such as X-rays and gamma rays, are employed in a number of beneficial applications, including medicine.
Naturally occurring background radiation and modern activities such as watching TV and flying in an airplane all contribute to a lifetime exposure that is only slightly increased by medical imaging.
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