What You Need To Know About A Whole Body Scan
You may call it a Full-body scan; we also refer to it as a whole-body scan. The whole-body scan is a valuable medical technology for early detection of an individual’s health status. Numerous medical facilities offer this health service. Computed tomography (CT) is used to perform the whole-body scan, which takes X-ray images of various human organs such as the heart, lungs, abdomen, and pelvis. These images are extremely thin, cross-sectional slices of the body’s interior. When each slice is reconstructed with others on a computer, the doctor can view a detailed image of bones, organs, and other tissues. The completion of this non-invasive process typically takes no more than fifteen minutes.
It is widely known that a computer tomography scan is considered very helpful in diagnosing abnormalities or certain diseases in patients exhibiting symptoms. Whole-body scans are particularly effective in specifying the existence, location, and magnitude of tumors. Additionally, whole-body scans play a crucial role in verifying and detecting muscle and bone disorders, as well as other internal abnormalities.
Here are some of the diseases and infections that whole-body scans can verify:
1. Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is characterized by symptoms such as snoring, choking, gasping, morning headaches, and more. It is a potential sleep disorder that can trigger the release of stress hormones into your body system. This condition can increase the individual’s risk of developing high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack, diabetes, and other related conditions. Sleep apnea affects 1 in 4 men and 1 in 10 women, with only 15% of patients being aware that they have the disorder.
2. Breast Cancer
Mammography is capable of detecting breast cancer even in the early stages, allowing patients to be aware of their status before a lump develops. Mammography is recommended for women who are over 40 years old. It is important to monitor your health through this screening process, as it enables timely medical interventions.
3. Pap Smear
This is highly recommended for women below the age of 65, especially for those who are still sexually active and have an intact cervix. Whole-body scans, with their early-stage detection capabilities, have enabled women to assess their health status and receive guidance on managing their conditions. As a result, the rates of cervical cancer have declined in recent years.
