What are the side effects of nuclear medicine?

What are the side effects of nuclear medicine?

Side Effects of Radiation

• skin reactions - tanning and redness similar to a sunburn can occur gradually during treatment, peaking after treatment ends. ...
• sore throat and/or mouth.
• difficulty and/or pain with swallowing.
• hoarseness.
• soreness or swelling in the neck.
• weight loss or dehydration.

How long does nuclear medicine stay in your body?

How long does the injection stay in my system? The nuclear imaging agent is out of your system within 60 hours, but it is always decaying so it becomes minimal in a relatively short period of time.

How do you feel after a nuclear stress test?

You should not feel ill effects or have symptoms after your nuclear stress test. Tell your doctor or care team right away of any symptoms, such as dizziness, chest pain, or shortness of breath. The radiotracer will gradually dissipate from your body over several days.

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.

Does nuclear medicine make you sick?

Are there side effects to nuclear medicine exams? Very few people experience side effects from a nuclear medicine exam. Allergic reactions are extremely rare. Any adverse reactions are usually mild, pass quickly, and need little or no medical treatment.

Why would a doctor order a nuclear stress test?

Why it's done You may need a nuclear stress test if you have signs or symptoms of heart disease such as chest pain or shortness of breath. A nuclear stress test may also be used to guide your treatment if you've been diagnosed with a heart condition.

What diseases can nuclear medicine detect?

Treatment usually involves swallowing radiopharmaceuticals in capsule or liquid form. Examples of conditions where this form of treatment is used are: thyroid cancer, overactive thyroid gland, some arthritis, certain types of lymphoma, some blood disorders, bone metastases, carcinoid tumours and adrenal gland tumours.

Does a nuclear stress test damage kidneys?

There are no side effects from the radioactive tracer. It is not a contrast dye. It does not contain iodine and will not harm your kidneys. Nuclear stress testing, is very safe and can help your cardiologist accurately diagnosis heart disease.

What happens to your body when you take nuclear medicine?

This makes the body slightly radioactive for a short time. A special nuclear medicine camera detects the radiation, which is emitted (released) from the body, and takes images or pictures of how the inside of the body is working. Many different organs can be imaged depending on the type of radioactive medication used.

Are there any side effects after a nuclear stress test?

Side Effects Which can be Expected after Injecting Pharmacological Stress Inducing Medications Include the following: A headache after nuclear stress test, though experienced only in few individuals. This is the commonest side effect and intake of caffeine containing beverages like coffee will help. Is the Radiation from a Nuclear Stress Test Safe?

Can a nuclear medicine test Make you Glow in the dark?

The body does not feel the ionising radiation, and it does not make you ‘warmer’ or ‘glow in the dark’. The number of times the nuclear medicine camera takes images does not determine the dose of ionising radiation received during a nuclear medicine test.

How is radiation dose minimised in nuclear medicine?

The radiation dose received from bone scans and renal scans is minimised by encouraging the patient to drink more clear fluid after the test. Nuclear medicine studies are used in children, and the dose of the radiopharmaceutical given is adjusted to the patient’s weight.