How nuclear medicine works is a fundamental question that arises in everybody's mind. Nuclear medicine is a form of medicine, which help in diagnosing various diseases in several parts of the body. It uses radioactive compounds to identify the tissues and organs clearly.

Nuclear medicine uses only small amount of radiation. The other equipments needed for this medicine are gamma cameras. The substance allows gamma cameras to take images of internal functioning of the organs.

Nuclear medicine uses several radioactive compounds for identifying organs. For instance, it uses radioiodine to view thyroid glands. Some of the nuclear scanning tests require fasting and others require sedation.

Radioactive substances used for identifying various parts of body are carbon, iodine and technetium. Technetium is the advanced form of radiopharmaceutical, which helps to detect heart diseases.

The radioactive substances used to obtain clear images of various organs will be administered to the patient via intravenous needle, oral tablet or oral liquid. In 90% of the cases, intravenous needles are used to give radioactive compounds in the patient's vein through the arm.

The patient will not face any severe side effects of radiation. The radiation will remain temporarily in the body and will be thrown out through the urine or stool immediately. Hence, this medicine is safe and effective. It provides clear images than x-ray and CT scan. It helps in the treatment of Chemotherapy.

The diagnostic tests involve image formation using gamma cameras or positron emission tomography. Nuclear medicine is used as a therapy to control pain as well. For instance, iodine 131 is given to get relief from thyroid cancer or thyrotoxicosis. Nuclear medicine images are superimposed using special software or hybrid cameras. In larger hospitals, these facilities are available.

Some hospitals have the facility of preparing radiopharmaceutical also. Such department responsible for radiopharmaceutical preparation is termed as nuclear medicine or radioisotope department. This is how nuclear medicine works.

Nuclear medicines differ from other methods due to the clarity they provide. They help the doctor to analyze the disease as well as dysfunction of any organ.