An X-Ray is a diagnostic imaging technique which produces scan images of the internals of the body and represent the bones, soft tissues and organs of the body. A X-RAy is also known as a radiograph. A radiograph is a picture of your body and its bones, soft tissue and organs which can help your doctor to detect and diagnose certain conditions, helping in the treatment planning. Mostly a x-Ray is ordered to look for a fractured bone. X-ray is generally a safe an defective method to evaluate your health
When Is An X-ray Done?
There are different uses of an x-ray, which might include
- Bone fractures, bone dislocations, bone infections such as arthritis or other bone
- Detecting and diagnosing lung abnormalities and conditions such as vtubes after surgical procedures
- It can show tooth decay/cavity, tooth fillings, cysts or tumours associated to a tooth
- It can show blood vessel problems, such as Aneurysm
- Cancers can be visualised for their initial signs in an x ray
- Blockage in bowel/gastrointestinal tract can also be seen
What Are The Different Types Of X-Rays?
There are several ways to take an Xray. Different types of x-rays are used for different areas of the body. Some x easy might use a radioactive contrast dye which helps produce a clearer image. Some of the common x ray types are-
-
- Abdominal x ray
- Fluoroscopy
- Mammography
- Computed tomography (CT)
- Dental x-ray/ A teeth x-ray
- Bone x-ray
Do I Need To Tell Something To My Doctor Before An X-ray?
You need to tell certain thing to your doctor before getting an x-ray which are as mentioned below-
- If you are pregnant, if you think you might be pregnant.
- If you have had any surgery in the concerned area in short time before
- If you have had a recent x ray for the same area
- The purpose for which you are getting the x ray
- If you have certain vertical diseases such as diabetes, bp problem, etc
- If you have had an allergic reaction to contrast medium in previous X-rays or scans.
What Is The Price Of An X-RAy?
The cost of x-ray depends on the type of x-ray, the region for which the x-ray is being conducted and the location where you live. It generally varies from as low as 500 for a small x-ray and can go as high as 5000-10000 for a bigger x-ray like CBCT, CT scan etc. There are certain diagnostic centres which offer tests at reasonable prices.
What Are The Risks Of X-Ray?
- You might develop certain side effects due to contrast agent used for an x-ray such as
- Nausea and vomiting
- Slight light headedness
- Redness and itching at the injection site
- Hives
- Slight metallic taste in your mouth for some time
- You might face some side effects if you had a contrast based x-ray such as-
- Nausea or vomiting
- Headache
- Diarrhoea and stomach pain
- Allergic reaction
- Generally the benefits and aid that an x-Ray provides are greater than the risks it poses. The x-rays are conducted by a trained professional and under the safety guidelines. Although the x-ray system uses ionising radiation, the likeliness of it causing side effects rhymes low.
- There are certain x-rays that use higher doses of radiation than a plain x-ray,such as a CT scan and angiography. But the chances of getting some serious health related problems are still less. If you still get worried, you can always get yourself consulted by the doctor. You should get an x-ray only if necessary and when recommended by your doctor.
- For children there can be alternatives of x-ray such as ultrasound.
- If you are pregnant, you should not undergo x-ray imaging because the unborn child is more susceptible to the ionising radiation, unless it is to be done for the foetus itself. However, it can be done by taking necessary precautive measures such as to avoid exposing the mothers abdomen, providing other lead based shields for the areas not getting exposed.
Conclusion
Choose your diagnostic centre wisely so as to get a diagnosis on time and reliable results. Any kind of disorder and diseases can be diagnosed by different types of x rays. X-rays like CT scan, CBCT scan are advanced technologies which offer great quality images which offers an ease to the doctor in visualising and diagnosing the underlying condition or disease.
