X-rays

Overview

An X-ray is a kind of electromagnetic radiation that resembles a beam of light. However, it is different from light as it has high energy and can go through objects, and the human body. The procedure is a type of imaging and it generates images of the bones, tissues, and organs. 

The pictures help doctors to detect fractures, injuries, and disorders in the body and formulate treatment plans. X-rays are safe as the measure of radiation used is within limits.

When the rays are passed through the body, they move through an X-ray detector to create an image that shows a shadow formed by the bones and organs inside the body. Multiple X-ray detectors help in generating images and the images are called radiographs.

The passage of the rays depends on the density and atomic number of the objects in the body. The bones in the body contain calcium that has a high atomic number that easily absorbs the rays and produces a contrast on the X-ray detector. That is why the bones appear white in the radiograph. The rays travel faster through the less radiologically dense tissues, fat, and muscles and they appear grey in the images.

Who Needs An X-ray?

Anyone can need an X-ray to check for the following in the body:

• Broken bones or fractures
• Find out the cause of swelling and pain in the body.
• Search for foreign objects inside the body.
• To identify structural deformities in the bones, joints, and tissues.
• Detect cancer and other diseases.

Pregnant women should avoid X-rays as the radiation can harm the fetus within the womb.

What Are The Different Types Of X-rays

Some of the common types of X-rays include:

• Abdominal X-ray- This type generates radiographs of the kidneys, liver, stomach, and bladder to detect conditions such as kidney and bladder stones. Certain types of X-rays use a contrast dye to assess the digestive system. They are called barium enemas. The contrast dyes can be administered in many ways depending on the type of X-rays. They can be given orally, injected intravenously, or given as an enema.
• Bone X-ray- The bone X-ray is used to detect fractures, dislocations, and conditions like arthritis. The images can also reveal bone cancers or infections. A spine X-ray produces images of the bones and tissues in the spine.
• Chest X-ray- The chest X-ray finds complications in the heart, lungs, and bones in the chest area.
• Dental X-ray- Dental X-rays enable the doctor to assess the person’s teeth and gums to detect any kind of infection and cavities that may be present.
• Fluoroscopy- This procedure generates pictures of the organs and tissues in the digestive system of a person like in the intestines. The doctors view the organs when they are in motion on a monitor or screen.
• CT scan (computed tomography)- This procedure uses the rays along with a computer to produce cross-section pictures of the bones, organs, and tissues. The machine is donut-shaped and has a table that is slid into it during the procedure.
• Mammogram- Doctors use mammograms to get images of the breast tissue to check the lumps in the breast and help detect breast cancer.
• Radiation therapy- X-rays can also be used to kill malignant tumors and cells by destroying their DNA. However, the radiation used in this procedure is higher than the amount used for regular imaging. The radiation is sent from either a machine or a radioactive material put inside the body.

Procedure Details

The doctor should be informed of any medical conditions, allergies, and if the person is taking any medication or supplements. The doctor should know if the woman is pregnant or lactating.

For bone X-rays no preparation is required, however, for other X-rays, the person is asked to avoid wearing lotions, creams, or perfumes. They may be asked to remove jewelry and other metal accessories like hairpins, hearing aids, etc. For abdominal tract X-rays, the person may be asked to stop eating and drinking for a couple of hours before the procedure.

The person may be asked to wear a gown and depending on the type of X-ray they may be asked to either stand, sit, or lie down.

During the process, the technician may move the person’s body or limbs to generate better images or also ask the person to remain still and hold their breath. For children, the technician may suggest using an immobilizer to help the child stay still and decrease the need to retake the images. Immobilizers or restraints are safe for children.

If the person is given a contrast dye, they may be required to drink plenty of water to drain the dye from the body. The dye may cause side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, headaches, or some allergic reactions in certain people.

The results are usually obtained immediately. Abdominal X-ray results take a little longer.

The doctor should be contacted in case of the following symptoms:

• Rash on the skin and itching
• Breathlessness
• Severe headache
• Nausea and vomiting

Risks Involved In The Procedure

• X-rays send out ionizing radiation that can cause damage to the living tissues inside the body.  The risk increases with the amount of exposure to the radiation and can cause conditions like cancer. However, the risk of overexposure in X-rays is minimal except in some procedures that use higher amounts of radiation.
• X-rays can harm the fetus, hence pregnant women are advised not to undergo the procedure if imaging of the abdomen or the pelvic region is required. In such cases, procedures like MRI scans or ultrasound may be used. However, the doctor may go for an X-ray if there is an emergency and the other procedures cannot provide insights.
• Children are sensitive to radiation and they have a higher chance of developing cancer as compared to adults. Parents must ensure that the settings of the machine have been modified for children before the procedure.

Current advances in technology are focusing on reducing radiation doses, improving the resolution of images, and improving contrast materials and their processes.

Conclusion

X-rays offer a safe and quick way to diagnose problems in the bones, organs, and tissues inside the body. This helps the doctor to diagnose accurately and decide the line of treatment to optimally help the person. It is important to inform the doctor about health conditions, medications, and pregnancy.