Medical Thermography is a technique that involves the use of very sensitive infrared cameras to create a view of the temperature of the skin. These systems have proven quite effective not only in research, but also in daily application by physicians. With training a technician can use the temperature readings of the skin created by thermography systems to assess a number of conditions in a patient. One of the most common aspects that can be diagnosed in the patient is the flow of dermal blood.

Dermal blood flow influences skin temperature and that flow is directly linked to the sympathetic nervous system. The interrelated nature of dermal blood flow with other systems and the health of the patient and the significant role that it plays in body temperature make it easy to monitor with thermography and a prime marker for many conditions.

Medical Thermography is especially useful when the problem involves specific systems. Some of those systems include the vascular system, nervous system, and muscular system. Medical Thermography has proven its versatility when applied to the problem of lesions. Systems have been used to better assess the condition of existing lesions and to diagnose lesions before they are readily diagnosable using other common diagnostic techniques.

Thermography provides quality data about the metabolic workings of the body also. This is helpful because metabolism is an aspect of the patient's health that other diagnostic techniques are not able to assess with as effectively and yet metabolism is another indicator of overall health and a marker for a number of conditions. This ability allows for thermography's use in the assessment of a number of conditions that adequate assessment might not exist for otherwise.

Thermography is an excellent compliment to other diagnostic techniques and as a method of confirming diagnoses that have been reached using other methods for this and other reasons. Another major benefit that thermography offers is easily appreciated by patient and physician alike. That it is the fact that it is a non-invasive procedure. This allows for a painless completion. Some patients have experienced discomfort and cite that as a reason for not seeing physicians regularly when asked about mammograms and a number of other diagnostic methods. Unfortunately even with thermography as an option, there may not be painless options for all procedures today, but for some necessary diagnostics thermography may offer an option that is preferable to some patients. Medical thermography is available in a number of major medical centers and if you are interested you should ask your physician for more information.

by Edward Wells II

References:

The Northern Norwegian Centre for Medical Thermography. http://www.medical-thermography.com/WHAT%20IS%20THERMOGRAPHY/what%20is%20ir%20thermography.htm