While many of us are having thoughts of Valentine’s Day and anticipating the arrival of spring, we often forget that February is National Cancer Prevention Month. Research studies have revealed that over 40% of all diagnosed cancers and deaths resulting from this terrible disease are attributed to that which is preventable such as: being overweight excessive exposure to UV rays from the sun physical inactivity smoking Consequently, taking preventative measures such as exercising, maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, and using sunscreen to protect your skin can dramatically reduce your risk of developing certain cancers. Cancer Screening and Diagnosis It’s...
The Role of Cardiac Imaging in Heart Disease Diagnosis
February, 2022 marks the 58th consecutive year we are celebrating American Heart Month. During this month, our country brings awareness to heart disease, the #1 killer of individuals in the US. The first proclamation of American Heart Month occurred in 1964 under President Lyndon B. Johnson, one of millions of Americans who had suffered heart attacks. It is also the month for the “Heart to Heart: Why Losing One Woman Is Too Many” campaign which raises awareness of the 1 in 3 women that are diagnosed with heart disease every year. Diagnosis of Heart Disease When getting diagnosed for heart...
Cervical Health Awareness Month
Over 13,000 women are medically diagnosed with cervical cancer every year. To highlight this dreaded disease, January has been designated as Cervical Health Awareness Month, by the U.S Congress. By raising awareness about the disease, it is hoped that the diagnosis will early in women in the age group of 35 to 45 years. This awareness has been assisted to a great deal by the advancements in the digital imaging industry. Awareness And Tests for Cervical Cancer With more awareness and increase in regular screening and access to cutting-edge diagnostic imaging, there has been a considerable decrease in the death...
Thyroid Awareness Month
Most people think about improving their health and lifestyle when the New Year approaches. However, only a few are aware that January is the Thyroid Awareness month. If you or your loved one is experiencing thyroid related issues or you are showing signs of thyroid impairment, it is time to seek medical assistance and ensure it functions as it should. It is essential to know that thyroid has an important role of play in keeping you healthy and functioning of the internal organs. Located in the neck, it keeps the metabolism in sync and creates protein, as it is apart...
National Glaucoma Awareness Month
Healthy eyesight is very important and you don’t realize it until you begin to lose it. It’s important to visit the ophthalmologist regularly. During your visit, your doctor will perform a Tonometry test. If you wear contacts or some type of corrective lenses, this test is performed at your yearly eye exam. January is the recognized as National Glaucoma Awareness Month and it is promoted by the American Academy of Ophthalmology and National Eye Institute. Glaucoma doesn’t really have many symptoms and that is why it is considered to be a silent disease. It can result in irreversible blindness. Millions...
National Blood Donor Month
National Blood Donor Month is acknowledged in January each year. President Richard M. Nixon formed the American Red Cross in 1970. January is a time to take notice that blood and platelet donations decrease throughout the previous year making it in short supply for the coming year. Millions of Americans are involved in vehicle accidents, are cancer patients, or organ recipients and rely on donated blood to help save their life. The amount of blood needed to save someone will depend on many factors, such as the extent of injuries, the area that has lost blood, and the plan of...
The Role of MRI’s and MRA’s in Diagnostic Imaging
Two effective, non-invasive tools used to view arteries, blood vessels, bones, organs, and tissues within the body are the MRI and the MRA. Patients often have difficulties understanding the difference between these two diagnostic imaging modalities because they’re so closely related. However, upon further examination there are several unique differences to be aware of. What is an MRI? Magnetic resonance imaging is a type of scan that doctors and specialists use to view a person’s internal body parts. This often includes bones, organs, and tissues. The MRI machine uses a magnetic field that bounces radio waves throughout the body and...
The Importance of PET-CT Scans
One of the many services provided by the specialists at Vital Imaging is the PET-CT scan (Positron Emission Tomography – Computed Tomography scan). This advanced imaging modality is not only safe and effective, it decreases radiation exposure by 50% and reduces scanning time for the patient. But, most importantly, it provides physicians with high-quality images that help to detect cancer cells as small as a pencil point. What is a PET Scan? PET or positron emission tomography is often referred to as PET scanning and is a simple yet non-invasive diagnostic imaging technology. It’s a form of nuclear medicine that...
National Handwashing Awareness Week
National Handwashing Awareness Week is observed the first full week of December. It’s safe to say that our personal hygiene starts and ends with our hands. Although our parents taught us to always wash our hands before meals, germs don’t care about the time of day. The bottom line is that washing your hands prevents the spread of illnesses. It helps to teach your child to wash their hands early on so that they’re in the habit of doing so as they grow up. Washing their hands will improve their immunity and keep them healthy. Thus, it’s extremely important to...
National Influenza Vaccination Week
n 2005, the CDC established National Influenza Vaccination Week to emphasize the importance of getting a flu vaccine during the holidays and beyond. Flu activity typically increases in October and peaks between the months of December and February. However, flu activity has been known to occur as late as May. Consequently, the first week of December is the ideal time for getting the vaccine and having ongoing protection. There were over 49 million influenza cases during a recent flu season, more cases than the populations of Florida and Texas combined. Of all those cases, nearly 1 million individuals were hospitalized...