The risks associated with ionizing radiation in medical imaging Assignment

The risks associated with ionizing radiation in medical imaging practice, and the precaution required to protect against them - Assignment Example However, the shorter wave length, higher frequency waves such as X-rays and gamma rays are used in the medical imaging techniques and can be biologically fatal (WHO, 2011) (Figure 1). Ionizing radiation can be categorized into two forms. The first one is the radiation in the form of EM wave, such as an x-ray or gamma ray and the second one is the radiation in form of particle, such as an alpha or beta particle, neutron, or proton (DeLima Associates 1993, 1-48). X-rays are radiations that are artificially generated using machine. Gamma rays are EM waves that are released from the nucleus of an unsteady atom. The various forms of ionizing radiation have different effect on the biological systems (Holmes, White and Gaffney, 2011). However, these radiations are of great use in the medical science and have contributed significantly in medical imaging practice. This paper highlights the risks linked with the use of ionizing radiation in medical imaging practice and the necessary precaution s that needs to be taken while handling it. Roentgen was the person who discovered X-rays in the year 1895. Since then the use of ionizing radiation in medicine expanded (Holmes, White and Gaffney, 2011). Today, medical science uses both ionizing and non-ionizing radiations in imaging techniques. The ultrasound uses the acoustic pulses for echo-ranging imaging or in case of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) radio-waves are combined with high-field magnets to produce images. Both ultrasound and MRI make use of non-ionizing radiations. On the other hand the medical imaging techniques that use ionizing radiation consist of those images produced by the use of x-rays or gamma rays. Both x-rays and gamma rays are high energy, short wave-length EM radiation that can penetrate through almost all tissues. Gamma rays are produced as a result of nuclear decays of radioactive tracers that are introduced into the body and x-rays come from x-ray tube in which high speed electrons are bombarded to a small spot on a tungsten anode target. When radiation passes through the body, it is differentially captivated by tissues. For example, calcium is abundantly present in the body and has a higher atomic weight when compared to hydrogen that forms a major component of tissue water. Therefore, the ionizing radiation is taken up differently in different parts of the tissue. In this process if the tissue atoms are ionized, they become chemically reactive and can cause serious cell damage. Therefore, when these medical imaging techniques are inevitably used precautions need to be taken. One of the most common imaging techniques is the X-rays which is highly useful diagnostically by both computed tomography and film (Yale University School of Medicine 2004). All of us at some point of time have an x-ray examination that aids the physicians’ to diagnose disease or damage in the body structure. In another diagnostic procedure the radionuclides are administered to patients and with t he help of detectors outside the body, the functioning of the organs can be observed. Hence when the physicians need to get an idea of any problem inside the body, they use one of these imaging procedures. In general the radiation doses used in these imaging processes are low. Figure 2 shows the average radiation dose of common radiographic procedures. If we compare the radiation dose that is used in imaging with that used in the treatment of malignant

The gender class between the past and modern China Essay

The gender class between the past and modern China - Essay Example In today`s world, Chinese women are given greater freedom and opportunities. They are allowed to live a normal life and make their own decisions but even today, the Chinese culture is in favor of men. No matter how much advanced and successful the economy is, men are still preferred more over women and are given greater opportunities. Historically, women were treated as mere creatures rather than members of the human community. The patriarchal structure of the Chinese culture gained a lot of importance during the years 960-1279 CE. During this period of the song dynasty, the gender differences in China reached to its maximum limit. The practice of foot-binding was introduced during this period and though not practiced today, this practice has left a number of foot prints (Gender issues in the Chinese culture, Web). Foot binding is a practice in which a girl`s feet are tightly bound to limit female mobility as well as to restrict the growth of girls. It was a totally inhumane practice which was thought to be started in Imperial China during the 10th or the 11th century. It started as a status symbol indicating a high social rank, but unfortunately spread through out China. Although it has been banned by the Chinese government, its effects can still be seen today as some of its victims are still found today. As a result of this practice, the women affected were not able to support their families by working in the fields and made them dependant. During the same period, women were forced to marry against their wishes and after marriage, had to comply with the wishes of her husband as well as her in laws (Traditions of foot binding in China, Web). Confucianism is the foundation of traditional Chinese system, created by Confucius who displayed gender discrimination by placing women at the lower end of a patriarchal domestic family system. This theory was supported by the initiation of the Neo-Confucianism which placed more restrictions of women. The teachings of Conf ucius were further strengthened by Ban Zhoa`s â€Å"Lesson for girls†. Apart from the practice of foot binding, female infanticide became quite common. The Chinese men only cared about their sons as they would carry forward the family name. The girls born in their family were treated as dirt and were either left to die or were even sold to rich families as mere objects and slaves. Families in China have favored sons over daughters in the past as well and this has increased the number of men in China today. There have been infinite cases of infanticide, better treatment of baby boys than baby girls and abandonment of new born baby girls. This increase in the number of Chinese men has been made possible by advances such as ultrasounds which make it possible to know the sex of the baby about to be born. This has been supported by factual evidence as the number of male births has increased from 108 in 1980s to 120 in 2000. This problem was worsened by the one child policy by the Chinese authorities and people were reluctant to give birth to baby girls as their only child. This increase in the number of men has been predicted to result in a rise in crime rates of sexual violence and other social crimes (China`s great gender crisis, Web). The problem of surplus of women has been felt by the Chinese authorities as they have made it a part of the country`s fie year plan to cut the ratio of the sex gap to 112 or 113 by