PET scans (Positron Emission Tomography) are normally a safe imaging study, with the potential for mild side effects in some patients. Mild side effects can be a mild headache, nausea, vomiting, and allergic responses to the radioactive tracer (although rare and mild in most instances), and patients may also have some discomfort at the location of the injection or some lightheadedness.
Side Effects of PET Scan?
PET scans also have various benefits compared to CT and MRI scans. PET scans are modern, which is advantageous for the early diagnosis of the conditions.Some of the side effects are explained below:
Pain and Redness
A patient undergoing the PET scan feels redness at the site of the injection site, where a radioactive tracer is administered. The individual may also sense the redness at the injection site and surrounding areas.
Allergic Reactions After Injection
A patient, after receiving an injection might experience allergic reactions to the radioactive tracer. The condition is rare and slight and patients prior to the procedure need to provide consent and undergo some tests. They also need to report any history of possible allergic reactions.
Radiation Exposure
Patients undergoing the PET scan always expose themselves to the radiation, the exposure to radiation is always dangerous. The radiation used in PET scans is however deemed safe.
Long-term and constant exposure is dangerous and can trigger cancers.
Headache
Headache will subside after a while on its own.
Nausea and vomiting
This is a typical condition among the patients undertaking the PET, nausea is more prevalent than vomiting and nearly every patient can experience the condition. This is due to the radioactive substance injected for PET scans.
Uncomfortable feeling
A patient traveling to the scan might be feeling nervous and uncomfortable after the injection of radioactive material or in the scanning machine. It is a normal condition and an individual feels very restless with plenty of confusing thoughts and imaginations.
Conclusion
PET scan is an innovative diagnostic test to diagnose diseases such as cancer, lung disorders or cardiovascular ailments. The test is virtually safe but mild side effects may be experienced by some individuals such as headache, dizziness, vomiting, nausea, allergy etc. Patients may approach the carebox for any kind of PET CT scan and avail heavy discounts on the test.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What precautions should you take after a PET scan?
In addition, be sure to follow any instructions your doctor made about medication and driver restrictions especially following an injection of sedative medication.
Q. What are the risks of a PET scan?
PET scans are very safe. There are no side effects caused by the radioactive tracers, which only stay in your body for a short period the dose of radiation is negligible
Q. What is the purpose of a PET scan?
A (Positron Emission Tomography) or PET scan is an imaging test that helps doctors find and monitor.
Q. How long to avoid pets after a PET scan?
Following a PET scan, we recommend limiting close contact with animals for at least 6 hours after the completion of the scan.
