Hi steemians! Medical physics has as objective the knowledge of the biological processes from the molecular and cellular level through techniques of modernization proper to physics. It is important to have knowledge of this branch that studies physics, since it is for the control of our health and well-being.
Medical physics
Medical physics is the application of the principles of physics to medicine or medical care. Basically, it is a way to use our knowledge of physics to develop tools and treatments that help us live longer and be healthier.
The medical physicist also participates, along with other professionals, in the preparation of biomedical measurement variables, such as equipment calibration and radiological protection control measures to control the quality of physical equipment used in health.
Physics can also be found in other areas of medicine. For example, many assisted ventilation systems would not be possible without knowledge of fluid pressure so that the applied pressure is appropriate. In fact, one could argue that any advanced or electronic technology used in medicine would not exist without the knowledge of the universe that we have acquired through physics.
Functions and responsibilities of a medical physicist
The medical physicist helps to guarantee a high standard of quality of service in the hospital environment. The essential responsibility in the clinical practice of the medical physicist is to optimize the use of radiation to produce a quality diagnostic or therapeutic procedure.
Radiology and nuclear medicine are the main branches of nuclear physics
Diagnostic radiology
It is essentially a form of medical imaging. All the medical imaging methods we use, including X-rays, mammography, computed tomography, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), among other technologies, require the presence of a physicist in the office. These technologies are complex and can only be repaired by those who understand them.
- MRI scanners use the principles of magnetism to take high-quality images of the inside of the human body, especially the brain. These devices work basically by observing the nuclear spin and the distribution of the hydrogen molecules. Since humans are about 70% water, we have a lot of hydrogen molecules that can give us information about the structure of an organ.
- X-rays are a way of taking pictures of the skeletal structure of the body.
- Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves that humans can tolerate. These ultrasounds create images of the soft tissues without damaging them, so they are mostly used to create images of babies in the womb.
Medicina Nuclear
Nuclear medicine is a part of medicine that uses both to treat a disease and to provide images and information about what is happening inside a person's body. Radiation can be used to destroy cancer cells and treat patients. However, there is a certain overlap between nuclear medicine and radiodiagnosis because nuclear medicine can also be used to diagnose. Radioactive tracers are used to create images of body systems. Photographs of the interior of the body can be created using radiation through computerized axial tomography (CAT) or positron emission tomography (PET) scanners.
Nuclear medicine uses small amounts of radioactive materials called radiosondes that are usually injected into the bloodstream, inhaled, or swallowed. The radiosonde travels through the area examined and delivers the energy in the form of gamma rays that are detected by a special camera and a computer to create images of the inside of your body.
Diagnostico
Diagnosis Nuclear medicine imaging procedures are noninvasive and, with the exception of intravenous injections, are usually painless medical tests that help doctors diagnose and assess health problems. These imaging scans use radioactive materials called radiopharmaceuticals or radiosondes. Depending on the type of nuclear medicine exam, the radiosonde can be injected into the body, taken orally or inhaled as gas, and eventually accumulates in the body or area of
the body to be examined. The radioactive emissions from the radiosonde are detected by a special camera or imaging device that produces photographs and provides detailed molecular information.
Terapia
Nuclear medicine and its radioactive mechanism (I-131), which uses small amounts of radioactive material for the treatment of cancer and other health problems affecting the thyroid gland, as well as other symptoms and medical conditions.
common uses of the nuclear medicine procedure
Doctors use diagnostic imaging procedures of radionuclides to visualize the structure and function of an organ, tissue, bone or system within the body to be able to.
In adults, nuclear medicine is used to:
Heart
- visualize blood flow and heart function
- Coronary artery diseases and the extension of coronary stenosis
- assess the damage to the heart after a heart attack
- evaluate treatment options, stories such as heart bypass surgery and angioplasty
- evaluate the results of revascularization procedures
- detect rejection of the transplanted heart
- evaluate the function of the heart before and after chemotherapy (MUGA)
Lung
- explore the lungs to detect possible respiratory problems or blood circulation
- evaluate differential lung function for lung reduction or transplant surgery
- detect rejection of lung transplantation
Bones
- examine the bones to detect fractures, infections and arthritis
- evaluate the presence of bone metastases
- evaluate painful prosthetic joints
- evaluate bone tumors
- identify sites for biopsies
Brain
- abnormalities in the brain in patients with symptoms and symptoms such as seizures, memory loss and suspected abnormalities in blood flow
- detect the early onset of neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease
- help plan a surgery and locate the sources of damage
- evaluation of the presence of abnormalities in a brain chemical involved in the control of movement, in patients who may suffer from Parkinson's disease or similar movement disorders
- evaluation of suspicion of recurrence of brain tumors, planning of radiotherapy or surgery, or location for biopsy
In adults and children, nuclear medicine is used to:
Cancer
- Classify the stage of cancer by determining the presence of cancer disseminated in various parts of the body
- locate sentinel lymph nodes, before surgery, in patients with breast, skin, or soft tissue cancer
- plan the treatment
- evaluate the response to therapy
- detect cancer recurrence
- detect rare tumors of the pancreas and the adrenal glands
.
Renal
- analyze the functioning and blood flow of the original or transplanted kidneys
- detect obstructions of the urinary tract
- evaluate the presence of hypertension related to the arteries of the kidneys
- evaluate the kidneys to determine if it is an infection or a scar
- detect and control urinary reflux in pediatric patients
- For more information you can visit the following links
- http://www.unsam.edu.ar/fisicamedica/que-estudia-la-fisica-medica/
- https://clinic-cloud.com/blog/fisica-medica-aplicaciones-de-la-fisica-en-medicina/
- https://www.radiologyinfo.org/sp/info.cfm?pg=gennuclear
- http://www.monografias.com/trabajos104/funciones-del-fisico-medico-diagnostico-imagenes/funciones-del-fisico-medico-diagnostico-imagenes.shtml