Not everything that causes health problems begins with pain. Changes may be happening inside the body, but the person might feel OK. Some conditions, such as high blood pressure, artery disease, some kidney stones, and lung changes, are silent conditions and won't be detected for a long time. This does not imply that all silent changes will be serious. However, it is not always best to wait until symptoms are prominent to care for health.
Preventive care is keeping an eye on potential issues before they become more serious. This can include the use of blood tests, routine checks, age-appropriate screening tests, and imaging at appropriate times. A full body wellness scan can give doctors a broader look at certain areas inside the body.
What does a full body scan do?
Computed tomography (CT) is commonly used in a full body wellness scan. CT scans use a series of X-rays from various angles. The computer then compiles these images to generate cross-sectional views of the body, or detailed pictures of thin slices within the body.
Specific regions scanned may vary from scan to scan. Some scans are directed at the chest and abdomen; others may be directed at the chest, abdomen and pelvis. The images reveal organs, bones, blood vessels and some forms of abnormal growth or injury. However, it may also fail to show very small or early changes. For that reason, patients should first understand what the selected scan includes and what it cannot assess
What Can a Preventive Scan Identify?
The results will vary based on areas of the body being scanned and the type of scan performed. A scan can reveal a change of which the person may not have been aware, such as:
-
Heart artery calcium (Plaque)
-
Lung nodules or abnormal parts of the chest
-
Kidney/Bladder stones
-
Liver, kidney, or other organ changes
-
An enlarged organ
-
Some masses or cysts
-
Issues with bones or blood vessels
The results don't necessarily indicate a serious disease. For instance, a cyst may be harmless. Yet another discovery may require a targeted scan or medical examination for a doctor to adequately explain.
How Can It Aid In Proactively Taking Care?
A complete body wellness scan is mainly for the purpose of supplying images of the inner structures. If the scan detects something out of the ordinary, the person can consult a doctor and make a decision as to whether or not additional testing is required. In some instances, previous information can be helpful. Your doctor may recommend blood tests, a referral to a specialist, additional imaging or monitoring.
But a scan itself will not prevent a disease. It also cannot rule out that the individual is entirely healthy. A negative test result does not rule out all conditions, and an inconclusive test result might result in additional tests. The FDA recommends that individuals be aware of radiation exposure and false alarms.
Questions to ask before the scan?
There are some questions that can be asked before scheduling a preventive body scan:
-
Which portions of the body will be scanned?
-
How much radioactivity does it entail?
-
Who will be looking at the images?
-
What type of results will be offered?
-
If the report indicates a potentially unexpected result, what happens?
-
Does the report need to be communicated to a family doctor?
Patients should also inform the imaging staff if they are pregnant, have any kidney disease, allergies, previous reactions to a contrast, or are taking any medicines. Not all scans require the use of contrast, but this information is still important.
How Should Results Be Used?
CT images are typically interpreted by a doctor known as a radiologist who provides a report. The report can also include medical terminology that may seem alarming even if it's a minor finding.
Patients are not to make any judgements about the report. A doctor can correlate the scan with symptoms, medical history, family history, and other tests. These preventive body scans offer results with the correct meaning and helpful details in health assessment.
The Role of Preventive Imaging in Health Assessment
Preventive imaging can provide additional information about certain internal health changes when used alongside regular medical care. People considering a comprehensive wellness scan should understand what areas are included, how the scan is performed, and how the results will be reviewed by qualified professionals. Imaging facilities such as ViaScan of Las Colinas provide full body scan services using CT-based wellness imaging to help individuals learn more about certain internal health findings. However, scan results should be considered as part of a broader health assessment rather than a replacement for routine screenings or medical advice.
Conclusion
A complete body wellness examination can reveal changes that occur in the body before the changes are noticeable. It can be helpful; however, it will not cover all diseases or take the place of routine screening. There is a need for people to be aware of the pros and cons, radiation exposure, and potential requirement for additional testing if they decide to undergo a preventive body scan.
