We all know how important a proper diagnose is in the medical field. Basically, it’s the first step made towards healing a disease. Often diagnose procedures like X-rays and CT exams can cause additional harm to the patient, because of the radiation exposure implied by the procedure itself. For example during a CT scan, the body is exposed to ionizing radiation which can harm the sufferers DNA and cause, in the worst case scenario, malignancy. So, there are some risks of inflicting cancers via a procedure that is aimed at diagnosing it.
What if I tell you that a new screening procedure can help detect tumors, without exposing the patient to any harmful radiation? Yes, I’m talking about Thermography. You surly heard about those thermal sensitive cameras that measure the energy efficiency of buildings by analyzing thermal loss. Heat analyzis can also help doctors to detect tumors and other affections. The principle is simple; it’s known that diseases modify the temperature of an ill organ or affected tissue, by lowering or increasing it. For specialists, this signals that an organ is ill, or if the temperature difference isn’t that great, that it’s vulnerable and about to become affected.
Thermography and Tumors
For example in case of tumors the vascularization degree of the affected tissue is increased, thus resulting a raised temperature. A thermograph is used to scan your body and with the help of professional software. doctors receive the heat map of your body on a computer screen. The higher the temperature the redder will be that part of your body. Cool temperatures turn out blueish. Termography can be used for diagnosing up to 150 illnesses from the medical fields of:
– Otorhinolaryngology (ENT)
– Digestive, Respiratory, Urinary, Cardiovascular, Endocrin, Immunity, Nervous and Circulatory Systems
– Skin Disorders
– Breast Conditions
Termography Procedure Details
A medical termography session is not painful at all, has no age restrictions and can be repeated as oftend as needed without any side effects. It lasts, on average, 10 minutes. However, you can find yourself more time in front of the heat scanning camera if your condition is more complex. When session starts, a few minutes are need for the device to calibrate.
It’s important to know that you aren’t allowed to take a shower or eat 6 hours before a thermography. Also, don’t anoint your body with body lotions or any other ointment. Doctors also prohibit alcohol intake for at least 24 hours before to a thermal scanning session.
On the other hand, treatments for chronic diseases, prescribed by doctors should be followed as planned. There is no need to interrupt them before a thermography.
Thermography and Breast Cancer
Because this analysis of the body’s infra-red radiation is still an emerging technique, there is an open debate in the medical field, whether a thermography exam can replace the standard mammography scan. The FDA still considers the second option the best one for detecting incipient and treatable breast tumors. However, considering that a mammogram causes unnecessary radiation exposure for the human body, patients could first opt for a thermal exam and if something wrong is detected, they should follow up with a mammography. We will keep an eye on this subject!