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There are a number of times that you may need to have some type of radiographic scan in order for your doctor to diagnose or monitor a number of health conditions. There are many types of scans now available with leaps in medical technology, including traditional X-Rays, MRI, CT scan and PET scan. When visiting an imaging center in New Jersey, it is important to know the difference in the types of scans to better understand what you will be experiencing.
Traditional X-Rays
Traditional X-Rays can be used in multiple situations, including providing your doctor with images of broken bones or skeletal abnormalities. The process for obtaining these images varies greatly depending on what area of the body is being imaged.
MRI
An MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, is traditionally used to detect abnormalities in the soft tissues of the body. Unlike traditional X-Rays, an MRI scan shows organs and tissues, whereas traditional radiography shows hard tissue such as bones.
CT Scan
A computed tomography scan is similar to an MRI, but differs in some ways. A CT scan can help a doctor diagnose soft tissue disorders, disorders of the blood and also broken or fractured bones.
PET Scan
PET scan is the abbreviated form of positron emission tomography, which uses a special dye to allow the doctor to see how the organs are functioning and to detect any abnormalities in the organ systems, sometimes before the symptoms are noticeable on other types of scans.
You may feel anxiety when your doctor orders any type of body scan, but remember that these scans are used not only to diagnose conditions but to monitor the overall functioning of organs and tissues. Talk to your doctor today about what tests may be needed for you and how that particular scan will benefit you.
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A time traveler from the 1800s would be astounded by medicine today. Diseases that were incurable back then are no longer a threat; some things believed to be best practices then are now understood to be terribly dangerous.
Medicine has come a long way, but people shouldn’t look down too much on the medical experts of years gone by. After all, our own era will no doubt look positively backwards someday. In the future, we may well cure cancer and conquer AIDS. We may be able to grow large amounts of stem cells in labs and resolve disabilities.
We don’t yet know what is possible or what these advances will look like, but we do have a sense of where they may come from. And the most promising area in medical research right now is stem cell research. Read on for more details.
What is a stem cell?
First things first: what are we talking about here? Well, you probably already know that our entire bodies are made up of cells. Cells are the basic building blocks of life, and all living things have them (besides viruses, which are in some ways “alive” and in other ways not). Human beings, trees, jellyfish, and amoebas are all made up of one or more cells
Cells reproduce by dividing, which is how we grow; they eventually die, which is a big part of why we don’t live forever. But while most cells can only create more cells of the same exact type, stem cells are an exception. A stem cell can create another stem cell, but it can also branch off and create other things: a blood cell, for instance, or a nerve cell.
Embryos contain stem cells, which makes sense (where else would all of our cells come from?), but so do adults. Everyone has stem cells in their bone marrow, for instance, so that they can keep creating new blood cells. There are differences between the types of stem cells, but we’re still learning more about how they all work.
What we do know, explain the experts at NAD Stem Cell, is that their applications in medicine seem nearly endless. If a stem cell can become anything, might that mean that we can replace unhealthy cells with healthy ones? Could we add stem cells to match blood cell deficiencies and fight diseases?
Might we be able to grow specific types of cells, or even create large amounts of tissues for grafts and replacements of unhealthy tissues? Could we create tissues that we can use to safely test new treatments on, sparing patients dangerous trials and accelerating the research that could one day cure cancer or AIDS?
The answer is that some of this is possible, some of this might be possible, and some of this is already happening.
The future of stem cells
Today, stem cell therapy involves injecting patients with stem cells. It is used to treat a variety of diseases, but this is not the only way we’ll ever use stem cells. We’re likely to discover a whole lot more.
To do that, we need to keep researching. That’s why it is so important to keep supporting stem cell research. Those who oppose stem cell research often root their positions in misunderstandings and outright fictions. Researchers carefully consider the ethics of stem cell research, and modern techniques are allowing scientists to do things like, for instance, making adult stem cells act more like embryonic ones.
The reality is that stem cells already save lives, and that further research could bring us to a brighter medical future — one that, perhaps, would be as dazzling to us as our own current health care procedures would be to a doctor from 200 years ago.
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Good vision and healthy eyes are essential to kids’ development. Eye care professionals advise parents to schedule routine eye examination and vision screening for their children. This applies to all kids, including those who haven’t shown any signs of trouble. Doing so helps in the early detection of eye problems, and hence, the timely intervention will be provided.
On the same note, a St. Louis Optometrist explains that any child who complains of vision problems or whose symptoms of eye trouble are evident should undergo a comprehensive eye examination by an eye doctor – an ophthalmologist or optometrist.
How to identify eye problems in a child? Look out for the following telltale signs:
It is essential to check if we need what type of medical professional is necessary for eye problems:
I. Ophthalmologist – a medical doctor who offers comprehensive eye care via medicine and surgery.
II. Pediatric ophthalmologist – a medical doctor with additional specialized training for treating kids with eye problems.
III. Optometrist – a doctor who offers services similar to those of an ophthalmologist, but does not perform surgery. You may also find a pediatric optometrist.
IV. Opticians – an eye care professional who fits and adjusts eyeglasses.
Doctors must do everything possible to ensure optimal eye health, besides preventing injuries, in children and adults. The following tips will come in handy:
Wear Protective Eyewear When Participating In Sports
Eye injuries that occur when a child is participating in sports can result in severe damage. It could be something minor like a smack from an elbow during basketball, or something serious like taking a hit from a hockey stick. Purchase goggles or any other certified protective eyewear if your child plays sports such as racket, field hockey, hockey, basketball, or baseball.
Limit the Time Your Child Spends On Gadgets/Digital Screens
The modern child and the current technology are inseparable. It is no secret that parents are struggling with the consequences of their kid’s excessive exposure to gadgets. Children spend a considerable portion of their day staring at LED screens of tablets, smartphones, computers, and other digital devices. Whether they are doing so for fun or educational purposes, it is imperative to limit this indulgence.
Unfortunately, too much screen time is harmful to your child’s eye health. The risks involved include:
I. Computer vision syndrome
Also referred to as digital eye strain, CVS is a condition caused by visual stress. Symptoms include fluctuating vision, dry and tired eyes, fatigue, and headache. Non-visual signs of computer vision syndrome include pain in the neck, shoulders, and back.
II. Myopia
You may have already heard about nearsightedness. According to vision researchers, excess screen time in kids poses a significant risk for the development and progression of myopia. The prevalence of myopia has coincidentally grown with the increased use of computers and other digital devices among children.
How can you limit the screen time of your children?
Begin by encouraging frequent visual breaks. Have you ever heard of the 20-20-20 rule? Instruct your child to look away from the computer screen and look at an object that is at least 20 feet away for a minimum of 20 seconds. The task is aimed at relaxing the eye and be able to refocus and realign the muscles, which in turn minimizes the symptoms of eye strain. The other trick you can use is to introduce media-free times. Besides helping maintain the eye health of your children, the extra time can now be allotted for quality family time.
While this is not a comprehensive list of eye care tips for kids, it should be useful as a starting point. As a parent, you have the responsibility of ensuring the safety and health of your child – and this includes their eyes. Play your part diligently!
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