Afraid of a CT scan? Let's talk about it simply (CT Scan)

Has your doctor told you to have a CT scan? When you hear that, you feel a little scared and nervous, don't you? "Is this a big deal? Will it hurt? What will happen?" Many questions probably come to mind. But don't be afraid at all. A CT scan is a very important and safe test that helps to accurately diagnose many diseases. Let's talk about everything in simple terms today.

Simply put, what is a CT scan?

A CT scan is like a very advanced, super X-ray test. The full name for this is Computed Tomography . Some people also call it a CAT scan (Computed Axial Tomography).

A regular X-ray only shows a single-dimensional (2D) picture of the inside of your body. But a CT scan uses a special machine to take many X-ray pictures from different angles, rotating around the part of your body you want to examine. Then, a sophisticated computer combines all these pictures to create a very clear, three-dimensional (3D) image of the organs, bones, and soft tissues inside your body.

Think about a cake. When we cut a cake, the layers inside are clearly visible, right? In the same way, a CT scan allows the doctor to see the "layers" inside your body very clearly. This is why a CT scan can detect many things that a regular X-ray cannot.

What can be found on a CT scan?

A CT scan can identify abnormalities in the body, tumors, injuries caused by accidents, and various medical conditions with great detail.

In addition, CT scans are also used to see if a treatment is improving or worsening a medical condition.

How should I prepare for the scan?

Your doctor will explain everything you need to know before the scan, but it's usually a good idea to be aware of these things.

• Leave early: Plan to leave a little earlier than your allotted time.
• Clothing and jewelry: Wear comfortable, loose clothing. Remove any metal jewelry, watches, or earrings. You may be given a special gown to wear at the hospital.

Let's learn about contrast fluid.

In some CT scans, a special liquid (dye ) called "contrast material" is used to make the images clearer. This makes certain tissues, organs, or blood vessels in the body stand out better.

• IV Contrast: This is usually done by inserting a small cannula into a vein in your arm and injecting the contrast into your vein. It is normal to feel a slight warmth and a metallic taste in your mouth when this is done. Don't worry, this feeling will go away after a while. The contrast will leave your body in your urine within 24 hours.
• Oral Contrast: Sometimes, especially if you are having an intestinal exam, you may be given this contrast liquid to drink.

If contrast fluid is used, your doctor may also recommend a blood test to check if your kidneys are functioning properly before the procedure.

What happens during the scan?

This is a very simple procedure. You will not feel any pain.

1. Lying on the bed: First, you will be made to lie down on a bed-like surface. Usually, you will be asked to lie face up.

2. Moving into the machine: Then, the bed you are on slowly moves into the donut-shaped machine .

3. Stay still: This is the most important thing. You should stay as still as possible, without moving. If you move, the pictures you take may be blurry.

4. Breath holding: Sometimes, you will be asked to hold your breath for a very short period of time, like 15-20 seconds.

5. Taking pictures: During this time, the scanner rotates around you, taking pictures of the desired area. This machine is relatively quiet, not making a lot of noise.

6. End of process: When the test is finished, the bed slowly comes out of the machine again.

Throughout this entire process, a technologist specially trained to perform CT scans will be by your side, providing you with the necessary instructions and guidance. So there is no reason to be afraid.

Typically, preparing for a CT scan can take about an hour, but the scan itself takes less than 5 minutes.

Are there any risks or side effects to this?

CT scans are considered a very safe procedure. Even CT scans for children are safe.

Like X-rays, CT scans use a very small amount of ionizing radiation to produce images. But the amount of radiation is very small and controlled. If you have any concerns about this, talk to your doctor about it.

Side effects from the CT scan itself are very rare. However, some people may experience minor side effects from the contrast fluid mentioned earlier.

• Nausea and vomiting
• Headache
• Dizziness

These usually go away after a while.

What happens after the scan? When will the results be available?

Once the scan is over, you can go home. You can also continue with your normal activities as usual. If you were given contrast fluid, your doctor will advise you to drink plenty of water to help it leave your body quickly.

Your scans will be sent to a radiologist , who will carefully review the images and prepare a report containing the findings. The report will then be sent to the doctor who recommended the scan for you.

Results are usually available within 24 to 48 hours . However, in an emergency situation, such as in a hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU), results can be obtained in as little as an hour.

When you get the results, your doctor will explain to you what is in the report and what it means.

Can I have a CT scan if I'm pregnant?

If you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant, you should definitely tell your doctor. CT scans of the abdomen and pelvis may expose the fetus to a small amount of radiation. But the amount is not enough to cause harm. CT scans of other parts of the body do not pose any risk to the fetus.