Melika Salili 20454151
Health and safety in the medical use of ionising and non-ionising radiation
technologies
The use of ionising and non-ionising radiation in the medical field raises
reasonable concerns for the health and safety of patients. To ensure the
patients safety , it is important to consider possible risks of the treatments
they are receiving and the severity of the damages that will be caused to
their body. On top of that, there are regulations put in place that must be
followed by the people providing the treatments to the patients. The main
factor differentiating ionising radiation from non-ionising radiation is the
amount of energy that is used. Ionising radiation uses much higher energy
thereby making it more harmful to the human body in comparison to non-
ionising radiation. Ionising radiation includes X-rays, gamma rays, alpha
and beta particles, neutrons, protons. Non-ionising radiation includes
radio waves, microwaves, infrared radiation, visible light and
ultraviolet radiation.
Risks of radiation technology
Non-ionising radiation:
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) – MRI is a form of medical
imaging that generates images of the inside of your body with the use of a
large magnet, radio waves and a computer. Since ionising radiation is not
being used, patients will not be exposed to the harmful effects of ionising
radiation. There is a risk of developing an allergic reaction to the contrast
dye that is used. If you’re pregnant you should consult with a doctor
before getting an MRI to make sure that it is safe for you and your baby
since there is a possibility of the amniotic fluid increasing in temperature
which could be harmful. You should also mention any kidney or liver
diseases, this might prevent the doctors from injecting you with contrast
dye as it can interfere with your existing diseases. Other risks vary
between individuals.
Laser therapy – laser therapy is a very widely used therapeutic
treatment that treats various conditions with the use of focused light that
are tuned to specific wavelengths. The use of laser therapy ranges from
being used to treat cancer to being used for cosmetic purposes such as
removing moles or hair on the body. When lasers are being used near the
eyes, you’re required to wear eye protection as the lasers can cause
severe damage to the eyes. Laser therapy should not be used directly
over a pregnant woman’s stomach and its best ton avoid it overall unless
it is very necessary. This is simply due to a lack of data regarding whether
it is safe or not. Pulsed laser therapy should not be performed on a patient
with epilepsy as the light can trigger a seizure.
, Melika Salili 20454151
IRT (infrared radiation therapy) – IRT is a therapeutic treatment that
relieves pain and heals wounds using infrared light. IRT can result in
thermal/heat injuries which occur when the infrared therapy is too intense.
Infrared light can cause eye sensitivity when eyes are not protected so it
is advised to wear protective eyewear. Pregnant women should consult
with their healthcare provider before proceeding with IRT since the high
levels of heat can raise the body temperature to a point where it may be a
risk to the foetus.
Ultrasound – an ultrasound is a form of medical imaging that uses sound
waves to produce a medical image. Risks from an ultrasound are
extremely minimal and unlikely to occur. Ultrasound energy may cause
biological effects on the body and the ultrasound waves may slightly heat
tissues in the body. Non-medical uses of ultrasounds in pregnancy are
heavily discouraged just to ensure the safety of the baby.
Ionising radiation:
X-rays – an X-ray is a form of medical imaging that creates images of the
inside of the body using ionising electromagnetic radiation. Since ionising
radiation is being used the risks are already increased in comparison to
techniques that use non-ionising radiation. The exposure to X-rays can
cause DNA mutations that may lead to cancer later in life however this is
rare. X-rays on different parts of the body result in different amounts of
radiation exposure. X-rays are not recommended for pregnant women
since it may pose a risk to the foetus.
Gamma ray imaging – gamma ray imaging is a form of medical imaging
that uses gamma rays that emit from radiopharmaceuticals via a gamma
camera to create medical images. The obvious risk is once again radiation
exposure. The gamma camera being used is very heavy and there have
been cases of patients being crushed by the machine due to some kind of
fault in the machine.
Radiotherapy (radiation therapy) – radiotherapy is a therapeutic
cancer treatment that kills cancerous cells within the body using beams of
ionising radiation. This treatment uses X-rays, gamma rays and high
energy protons and electrons. There is a risk of tissue surrounding the
tumour being affected by the radiation which is what leads to side effects.
Side effects of radiation technology
Non-ionising radiation:
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) – experiencing side effects from
MRI scans are generally quite rare. As previously mentioned, you could
Health and safety in the medical use of ionising and non-ionising radiation
technologies
The use of ionising and non-ionising radiation in the medical field raises
reasonable concerns for the health and safety of patients. To ensure the
patients safety , it is important to consider possible risks of the treatments
they are receiving and the severity of the damages that will be caused to
their body. On top of that, there are regulations put in place that must be
followed by the people providing the treatments to the patients. The main
factor differentiating ionising radiation from non-ionising radiation is the
amount of energy that is used. Ionising radiation uses much higher energy
thereby making it more harmful to the human body in comparison to non-
ionising radiation. Ionising radiation includes X-rays, gamma rays, alpha
and beta particles, neutrons, protons. Non-ionising radiation includes
radio waves, microwaves, infrared radiation, visible light and
ultraviolet radiation.
Risks of radiation technology
Non-ionising radiation:
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) – MRI is a form of medical
imaging that generates images of the inside of your body with the use of a
large magnet, radio waves and a computer. Since ionising radiation is not
being used, patients will not be exposed to the harmful effects of ionising
radiation. There is a risk of developing an allergic reaction to the contrast
dye that is used. If you’re pregnant you should consult with a doctor
before getting an MRI to make sure that it is safe for you and your baby
since there is a possibility of the amniotic fluid increasing in temperature
which could be harmful. You should also mention any kidney or liver
diseases, this might prevent the doctors from injecting you with contrast
dye as it can interfere with your existing diseases. Other risks vary
between individuals.
Laser therapy – laser therapy is a very widely used therapeutic
treatment that treats various conditions with the use of focused light that
are tuned to specific wavelengths. The use of laser therapy ranges from
being used to treat cancer to being used for cosmetic purposes such as
removing moles or hair on the body. When lasers are being used near the
eyes, you’re required to wear eye protection as the lasers can cause
severe damage to the eyes. Laser therapy should not be used directly
over a pregnant woman’s stomach and its best ton avoid it overall unless
it is very necessary. This is simply due to a lack of data regarding whether
it is safe or not. Pulsed laser therapy should not be performed on a patient
with epilepsy as the light can trigger a seizure.
, Melika Salili 20454151
IRT (infrared radiation therapy) – IRT is a therapeutic treatment that
relieves pain and heals wounds using infrared light. IRT can result in
thermal/heat injuries which occur when the infrared therapy is too intense.
Infrared light can cause eye sensitivity when eyes are not protected so it
is advised to wear protective eyewear. Pregnant women should consult
with their healthcare provider before proceeding with IRT since the high
levels of heat can raise the body temperature to a point where it may be a
risk to the foetus.
Ultrasound – an ultrasound is a form of medical imaging that uses sound
waves to produce a medical image. Risks from an ultrasound are
extremely minimal and unlikely to occur. Ultrasound energy may cause
biological effects on the body and the ultrasound waves may slightly heat
tissues in the body. Non-medical uses of ultrasounds in pregnancy are
heavily discouraged just to ensure the safety of the baby.
Ionising radiation:
X-rays – an X-ray is a form of medical imaging that creates images of the
inside of the body using ionising electromagnetic radiation. Since ionising
radiation is being used the risks are already increased in comparison to
techniques that use non-ionising radiation. The exposure to X-rays can
cause DNA mutations that may lead to cancer later in life however this is
rare. X-rays on different parts of the body result in different amounts of
radiation exposure. X-rays are not recommended for pregnant women
since it may pose a risk to the foetus.
Gamma ray imaging – gamma ray imaging is a form of medical imaging
that uses gamma rays that emit from radiopharmaceuticals via a gamma
camera to create medical images. The obvious risk is once again radiation
exposure. The gamma camera being used is very heavy and there have
been cases of patients being crushed by the machine due to some kind of
fault in the machine.
Radiotherapy (radiation therapy) – radiotherapy is a therapeutic
cancer treatment that kills cancerous cells within the body using beams of
ionising radiation. This treatment uses X-rays, gamma rays and high
energy protons and electrons. There is a risk of tissue surrounding the
tumour being affected by the radiation which is what leads to side effects.
Side effects of radiation technology
Non-ionising radiation:
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) – experiencing side effects from
MRI scans are generally quite rare. As previously mentioned, you could
