About X-ray
X-rays are waves of electromagnetic radiation that are used to create images of organs and other structures inside the body. X-rays have a very short wavelength. When it penetrates into the body, it is absorbed in different amounts by the different tissues of the body.
For example, bones are dense and absorb these rays very well, but soft tissues (skin, fat, and muscle) allow more of those rays to pass through. The result is an x-ray shade on a film or fluorescent screen, where images of the bones appear white, while soft tissue shadows appear as different shades of gray.
In some forms of x-ray (dye), a chemical called a contrast medium is given to the patient to help define a specific area of the body in the X-ray film. This chemical can be swallowed, given an enema or given as an injection into a vein. The contrast medium appears in white on the X-ray film, and can produce a sharp outline of structures such as the digestive system and blood vessel pathways.
While the X-ray itself is painless, there may be some slight discomfort from a pin prick or from an enema if the contrast medium is used. Some X-rays take less than a minute, while long X-rays may take an hour or more.
How does X-Rays work
You will likely be asked to remove your clothing on a part of your body to be x-rayed. You will be given a hospital gown.
You will also get an apron in flexible lead or any other type of protective curtain to protect parts of your body from unnecessary exposure to the x-rays.
You will be asked to either stand on the floor, lie down, or sit at a table in a room designated for these x-rays, and a technician will position your body in a way that provides the best view of the x-ray.
The technician will place the X-ray machine near your body, so that the device’s X-ray tube (where the X-rays come out) point to the correct area of the body.
After moving behind a protective pad, the technician will press a button to take the X-ray image.
For a more specialized series of X-rays, such as a mammogram or a CT scan, the procedures are a little more complicated.
Your x-ray will be read by a radiologist who will report the result to your doctor. Call your doctor's office to obtain an official X-ray report.
X-ray uses
X-rays are used for many purposes, including:
Determine if the bone is fractured.
Find out if the internal organ is infected.
To search for cancer. There are many different types of X-rays currently used to detect cancer. For example, mammograms and barium enema (dye beams) are routine procedures sometimes used to detect cancer in adults of certain age groups.
To check tumors in fine cross sections of the body, computerized tomography (CT) may also be used.
A CT scan is a series of x-rays associated with computer technologies. Even without the use of specialized techniques, a routine X-ray can often show abnormal shadows or silhouettes that may be precancerous.
Preparing for an X-ray procedure
There are many types of X-ray procedures, and some require special preparation. For example:
Before having X-Rays gastrointestinal, you may need to change your diet, completely, or use laxatives or enemas.
Before getting a mammogram, you should avoid using deodorants, cosmetics, perfumes and body creams, which can produce unnatural shadows in a mammogram.
You must remove all jewelry and any metals from your body before the X-rayed procedure.
X-rays can affect a developing fetus. If you are pregnant or suspect you may be pregnant, inform your doctor before the scan.
The dangers of x-rays
Although large doses of X-rays are harmful, modern radiology facilities employ technologies and equipment that keep your X-ray exposure risk to a minimum.
Lead aprons and other types of bulletproof armor can also be used to protect the genitals and other parts of the body during the X-ray procedure.
In general, a pregnant woman should avoid x-rays due to risks to her unborn baby.
When using x-rays for children, parents should ensure that these tests are really necessary, that there are no alternative procedures that do not use radiation (such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or ultrasound) and that the least amount of their children's body is exposed during the X-ray session. .
Over the course of a lifetime, you can help reduce your exposure by tracking the location and time of the X-rays in the past, and telling your doctor about your past films when needed. In some cases, this will help you avoid repeat scans.
Routine diagnostic X-rays usually do not cause any side effects. However, if you received a dye injection before your X-ray, call your doctor if you experience bleeding, pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site. Ask your doctor about other signs or symptoms to watch for after the X-ray
I have been photographed many times with emitting devices X-ray.I have always been adequately protected,so I hope I will not have any consequences or health problems.