LOCAL ARTICLE: Prioritizing Women’s Health With Thermography Diagnostic Tool

By April Beaman

As women, we often prioritize the health and well-being of those around us before our own. However, it’s important to remember that taking care of yourself should be top priority. One way to do this is through medical thermal imaging, also known as thermography. Thermography is a noninvasive screening method that uses a specialized camera to detect temperature changes in the body. These temperature changes can be indicative of various health issues, making thermography a valuable tool for early detection and prevention.

What Is Medical Thermography ?

Medical thermography is a diagnostic tool that uses infrared imaging to capture the heat signature of the body or targeted areas such as the breasts, thyroid or abdominal regions to name a few. The camera captures the body’s heat signature; a specialized computer processes the images to produce a color-coded map of the temperature variations. The images are then analyzed by medical doctors to identify abnormal temperature patterns that may indicate a potential health issue. Even the most subtle temperature differences can be detected, signifying an underlying abnormal physiological process or an imbalance.

Benefits of Medical Thermography

Thermography offers several benefits for evaluating and monitoring women’s health. For example, it can detect physiological changes within the body at an early stage, often before physical symptoms are present. Thermography can also detect early signs of breast cancer, thyroid dysfunction, inflammation and other health conditions that may go undetected with other diagnostic methods. This means that thermography has the potential to detect health issues before they become serious, allowing for earlier intervention and treatment. Another advantage of thermography is that it is non-invasive. There is no radiation, nothing is injected into the body and there are no needles or uncomfortable procedures involved. this makes it an appealing option for those who may be anxious or reluctant to undergo other diagnostic tests. Thermography can also be used to monitor changes in the body over time, the progression of diseases or the effectiveness of a treatment. Furthermore, by using thermography as a comprehensive assessment of overall health and wellness, it can detect imbalances and variations in the body that may not be apparent through other diagnostic tests. This can help to guide treatment and lifestyle changes to promote optimal health and wellness.

Breast Health Screenings

Perhaps the most well-known use of thermography in women’s health is breast health assessments and breast cancer screenings. Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women worldwide. Early detection is key to improving outcomes and reducing mortality rates. One of the advantages of thermography is its ability to detect changes in breast tissue several years before a physical change or lump can be seen or felt. Thermography detects changes in breast tissue temperature and vascularity, which can indicate the presence of abnormal cells or tumors. In the case of breast cancer, abnormal cells and tumors generate heat and alter blood flow, resulting in variations in skin temperature that can be detected by the infrared imaging camera. This means that medical thermography can potentially detect breast cancer at an earlier stage than mammography or breast exams alone.

Thermography can also be useful in detecting breast cancer in women with dense breast tissue, which can be more difficult to image using mammography. It is known that dense breast tissue can mask small tumors or make them difficult to distinguish from surrounding tissue, making thermography a valuable tool in these cases. Furthermore, thermography is an excellent option for women who are pregnant, safe for mother and baby since there is no radiation exposure.

Dental Health Screenings

Thermography can be used to detect dental abnormalities, such as inflammation or infections in teeth, gums and jaw. These issues, left untreated, can lead to gum disease, tooth loss and even systemic infections. At times, these dental issues can be visualized on a thermographic image before they are seen on a dental X-ray or by a dental professional. There is also a relationship between oral health and breast cancer. The two may seem like unrelated topics, but recent research suggests there may be a correlation. Oral health is linked to the body’s overall health and can impact the immune system’s ability to fight off disease. Poor oral hygiene can lead to inflammation in the gums and the release of harmful bacteria into the bloodstream. These bacteria can then travel to other parts of the body, including the breasts, and potentially increase one’s risk and contribute to the development of breast cancer.

Thyroid Screening

The thyroid is a gland located in the neck that produces hormones and regulates metabolism. Abnormalities in thyroid function can cause a variety of symptoms, including weight changes, fatigue, brain fog and depression. Thermography can be used to detect changes in thyroid function by measuring the temperature of the thyroid gland. An abnormal temperature reading can indicate an overactive or underactive thyroid gland, which can be further evaluated with blood tests and other diagnostic methods.

Peripheral Vascular Disorders

Medical thermography can be used to detect a variety of peripheral vascular disorders, including peripheral artery disease (PAD), deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and Raynaud’s syndrome.

Peripheral vascular disorders are conditions that affect the blood vessels outside of the heart and brain, and can cause symptoms such as pain, numbness, and tingling in the arms and legs. In peripheral vascular disorders, the blood flow to the affected area can be disrupted. In these conditions, thermography can help to identify areas of poor blood flow, inflammation, or blockages, which can be useful in guiding treatment and monitoring disease progression.

Neuromuscular Disorders

Neuromuscular disorders refer to a group of conditions that affect the nervous system and the muscles that it controls, which can cause muscle weakness, tremors and other symptoms that impact a person’s ability to move and function. When there is a disruption in the nervous system or muscular function, the blood flow to the affected area changes, resulting in variations in skin temperature. Medical thermography can be used to assess a variety of neuromuscular conditions, including carpal tunnel syndrome, neuropathy and myofascial pain syndrome. In these conditions, thermography can help to identify areas of inflammation, nerve compression or muscle dysfunction, which can be useful in guiding treatment and rehabilitation.

In conclusion, it is important to remember that taking care of yourself should be a top priority. A month focused on women’s health is an excellent opportunity for women to prioritize their health by accessing diagnostic methods that can help detect health issues early on. Medical thermography is a non-invasive, radiation-free, painless imaging tool used for early detection, monitoring changes overtime and providing a more comprehensive assessment overall health. Additionally, thermography can monitor of a variety of conditions in women’s health and can be used in conjunction with other screening methods, such as mammograms and MRIs, to provide a more complete picture of overall health. It benefits women to consider utilizing thermography as part of their routine health screenings.

April Beaman, RDH, CTT, is a medical thermographer, certified by the Professional Academy of Clinical Thermology and a professional member of Breast Thermography International. She has worked in the wellness industry for over 15 years and provides breast and full body thermography health screenings for women and men. Beaman is the owner of CT Thermography, located in Farmington with satellite offices in Glastonbury, Hamden and Westport. Connect at 860-415-1150 or CTThermography.com.