Apart from the natural radiations, the artificial radiation that we come across is the x-rays. The intensity of the radiation depends on the medical examination that you are going through. For example, teeth, limbs, and chest test need a low concentration of radiation.
But there are exams that demands more extensive uses of x-ray. For those exams, there are even modified versions of x-ray like fluoroscopy and CT scan.
Most of the times, there is no risk involved with the x-rays as the intensity of the radiation is not that high. It is said that x-ray introduces free radicles to our body, and that damages our cell.
Our cells either grow up or go with improper repairment. This improper repairment of the cell leads them to establish a different structure, which is not suitable for health. But, as we said that the intensity of the radiation is low, there is an almost negligible chance of developing cancer.
For example, barium can turn your poo a whitish colour for a few days and an injection given to relax your stomach before the X-ray may cause your eyesight to be blurry for a few hours. Some people develop a rash or feel sick after having an iodine injection. The X-ray images will often need to be examined by a doctor called a radiologist before you're told the results. They may discuss their findings with you on the same day, or they may send a report to your GP or the doctor who requested the X-ray, who can discuss the results with you a few days later.
People are often concerned about being exposed to radiation during an X-ray. However, the part of your body being examined will only be exposed to a low level of radiation for a fraction of a second. Generally, the amount of radiation you're exposed to during an X-ray is the equivalent to between a few days and a few years of exposure to natural radiation from the environment. Being exposed to X-rays does carry a risk of causing cancer many years or decades later, but this risk is thought to be very small.
For example, an X-ray of your chest, limbs or teeth is equivalent to a few days' worth of background radiation, and has less than a 1 in 1,, chance of causing cancer. For more information, see GOV. UK: patient dose information.
The benefits and risks of having an X-ray will be weighed up before it's recommended. Talk to your doctor or radiographer about the potential risks beforehand, if you have any concerns. Page last reviewed: 13 July Next review due: 13 July It may contain iodine or barium compounds.
Depending on the reason for the X-ray, the contrast dye may be given in different ways, including:. You will need to avoid eating anything while you fast. You may also need to avoid or limit drinking certain liquids. In some cases, they may also ask you to take medications to clear out your bowels.
They may ask you to lie, sit, or stand in several positions during the test. They may take images while you stand in front of a specialized plate that contains X-ray film or sensors.
In some cases, they may also ask you to lie or sit on a specialized plate and move a large camera connected to a steel arm over your body to capture X-ray images. This will provide the clearest images possible. X-rays use small amounts of radiation to create images of your body. The level of radiation exposure is considered safe for most adults, but not for a developing baby. They may suggest a different imaging method, such as an MRI. You will need to hold your body in certain positions while the images are being taken.
This may cause you pain or discomfort. Your doctor may recommend taking pain medicine beforehand. In very rare cases, the dye can cause a severe reaction, such as anaphylactic shock, very low blood pressure, or cardiac arrest. After your X-ray images have been collected, you can change back into your regular clothes. You may wish to ask them when the results will be available. The radiologist then carefully assesses the images, makes a diagnosis and produces a written report on the findings.
This report is sent to your doctor, specialist or allied health professional who referred you for the test. The entire process is straightforward, and you will not feel anything strange or feel any different during the examination. If you are bringing a child for an X-ray, you might be asked to help in settling or keeping the child in the correct position for the test. If you are asked to remain in the X-ray room, the radiographer will take all possible steps to ensure that you are not exposed to any X-rays.
It usually takes less than 15 minutes for an entire X-ray procedure. This depends on the number of parts of your body being examined and your mobility; that is, your ability to move about, and your general health. In most cases, the area being examined needs to be viewed from different directions to obtain enough information to make the diagnosis, and this might require you to move into different positions.
For example, a simple chest X-ray on an able and willing patient could take less than 1 minute. A distressed patient needing X-rays of the whole spine, pelvis, both shoulders and both legs could take 45 minutes.
People with disabilities and children will also take longer, particularly if they find it difficult to keep still or to cooperate with or understand instructions given by the radiographer carrying out the X-ray examination. Generally, the benefit of the X-ray procedure is far more important than the small estimated risk of the effects of radiation.
At the radiation dose levels that are used in diagnostic radiography, there is little or no evidence of health effects for further information see InsideRadiology: Radiation risk of medical imaging for adults and children. The type of radiation used in X-rays is called ionising radiation. Medical research has been unable to establish conclusively that there are significant effects for patients exposed to ionising radiation at the doses used in diagnostic X-ray imaging.
Radiographers are trained to use the smallest possible amount of X-rays required to produce a satisfactory image. X-ray imaging is useful to diagnose disease and injury, such as pneumonia, heart failure, fractures, bone infections, arthritis, cancer, blockage of the bowel, collapsed lung and so on.
It is fast and easy, so it is particularly useful in emergency diagnosis and treatment.
0コメント