You may need a PET scan if your doctor suspects:

• Cancer: Tumors or abnormal growths anywhere in the body.

• Heart disease: To assess damage from heart attacks or blockages.

• Brain disorders: Conditions like Alzheimer's disease, seizures, or tumors.

• Unexplained symptoms: Ongoing symptoms without a clear cause after other tests.

 Do's:

• Follow pre-scan instructions: Usually, you'll need to fast for a few hours.

• Drink plenty of water: It helps flush out the radioactive tracer after the scan.

• Inform your doctor about all medications: Some medications can interfere with the scan.

• Inform your doctor if pregnant: Radiation may pose risks to an unborn baby.

 Don'ts:

• Avoid strenuous exercise before the scan, as it may affect the results.

• Don't wear metal objects: This can interfere with the scanning process.

• Don't skip meals: After the scan, you can resume eating unless instructed otherwise.

Disclaimer:

Our medical content authors have diligently gathered and synthesized information on this topic to offer valuable insights to our readers. Drawing from a range of reputable medical journals and health resources, this content aims to enhance understanding of the subject. It's essential to remember that while this information is informative, it should not replace personalized consultation or treatment from a qualified healthcare professional. For further details, please refer to our Editorial Policy.

For this topic, our authors used some of the following resources:

Cleveland Clinic | PET Scan
Mayoclinic | Positron emission tomography scan
Healthdirect | PET Scan
MedlinePlus | PET Scan