Medical Uses-Diagnostics By: Carly Baurer

Background Info and History The German physicist Wilhelm Rontgen, discovered the radiation known today as X-rays on November 8th 1895, and investigated the external effects of radiation from different types of vacuum tubes. He used a thin aluminum “window” that allowed light to exit the tube while maintaining the vacuum, he observed fluorescence on a small screen outside the tube, even when the window was covered with cardboard. While he was investigating, he saw the world’s first radiographic image, and his own flickering skeleton on a special screen. Medical Uses of Radiation today, are found in medicine, academics, industry, and for generating electricity.

Pros and Cons Pros Medical uses can monitor blood flow to the heart, therefore if there are any blockages, they can be detected before they cause a heart-attack. Medical imaging helps to detect and diagnose disease in its earliest stages and enables physicians to determine the most effective way to treat them. Cons Medical uses can cause long-term damage like within scar tissues and infertility. People misperceive radiation risks because they are unaware of the knowledge behind it. These misperceptions create a fear of radiation and is assumed that all radiation exposure is equally harmful or risky.

Facts X-rays are involved in almost all medical procedures High radiation doses treat harmful diseases and defected organs in the body Medical uses are used by hospitals, doctors, and dentists to diagnose, monitor, and treat medical conditions Medical procedures using radiation have saved thousands of lives Hospitals and radiology centers perform about 10 million nuclear medicine procedures in the U.S. each year

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