When you suddenly hit your arm or leg somewhere, or when you have been coughing in your chest for a long time, your doctor probably said, "Get an X-ray," right? Some people get a little scared when they hear the word X-ray. They wonder if "radiation" will hit the body and if something will happen. What exactly is an X-ray? Is this something to be afraid of? Let's talk about everything simply and clearly.
Simply put, what is this X-ray?
An X-ray is a special medical test used to take pictures of things inside our bodies, such as bones and organs like the lungs. It's like taking a photograph. But instead of using light like a regular camera, it uses special radiation beams that our eyes can't see.
We often think of X-rays only when we have a broken arm or leg. But in fact, X-rays are also very helpful in diagnosing a variety of diseases, disorders, and infections.
When we say "X-ray", we usually mean taking a single picture. However, sometimes there are tests that use the same X-ray technology to take many pictures at once and create a three-dimensional (3D) image with a computer. An example is a CT scan . However, in this article we will mainly talk about the single X-ray picture that is usually taken.
What is an X-ray with contrast material?
Sometimes, some parts of our body, like blood vessels and intestines, don't show up clearly on a regular X-ray. In such cases, you are given a special liquid, dye, or pill to make those parts stand out better. We call this 'contrast material' or 'dye'.
This dye is given to you depending on the nature of the X-ray being performed.
- It can be given as a liquid to drink by mouth .
- It can be given as an injection into a vein (IV).
- It can also be administered rectally (enema) .
In what situations is an X-ray needed?
There are several reasons why your doctor might recommend an X-ray. Let's take a look at the main ones.
| Reason | Description |
|---|---|
| Fracture | Check for a broken arm or leg after a fall or accident. This is the most common cause we know of. |
| Cause of pain or swelling | Find the cause of persistent pain or swelling somewhere in the body. |
| Lung infections | If you have a prolonged cough or difficulty breathing, check for a lung infection (e.g. pneumonia). |
| Foreign objects that have entered the body | Find out where on the body things like coins and pieces of toys are, especially those swallowed by young children. |
| Structural problems | Identify structural problems in bones, joints, or soft tissues (e.g., back strain). |
| Treatment planning | See the success of a treatment, especially surgery, before and after it is done. |
What can be found on an X-ray?
- Joint diseases such as arthritis
- Bone fractures and changes
- Herniated discs (protruding discs between the vertebrae of the spine)
- Infections
- Kidney stones
- Tooth cavities
- Tumors
But one thing to remember is that while these things can be seen on an X-ray, they are not always visible. That is, even if someone has kidney stones, it is possible that they will not be visible on an X-ray.
What types of X-rays are there?
There are different types of X-ray tests to look at different parts of our body. Here are some of the most common types of X-rays:
- Abdominal X-ray: This helps detect things like stomach problems, kidney or bladder stones.
- Bone X-ray: This is used to look for bone fractures, joint dislocations, arthritis, as well as signs of bone infection or cancer.
- Chest X-ray: Your doctor may order this if you have symptoms such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, or cough.
- Dental X-ray: A dentist often takes this X-ray to check the health of your teeth and gums.
- Head X-ray: This helps to see if there are any fractures in the skull after a head injury.
How does the X-ray machine work?
It's very simple. The X-ray machine sends a beam of radiation through your body. The beam comes out the other side of your body and hits a special sensor (X-ray detector) nearby.
What happens here is that different parts of our body absorb this radiation to different degrees.
- Solid objects like bones absorb radiation very well. So the radiation doesn't pass through them to the other side. That's why those areas appear bright white on the film.
- Radiation passes easily through soft tissues like the lungs and muscles , so they appear as different shades of gray on the film.
A specialist called a radiologist examines the image and writes a report to see if there is anything unusual. The report is then sent to the doctor who referred you for the X-ray.
How do you prepare before an X-ray?
The preparation you need to do may vary slightly depending on the type of X-ray you are having, but in general, you should take care of these things.
- Do not apply lotions or creams: Sometimes these can cause shadows on the X-ray image, which can lead to incorrect results.
- Remove metal objects: You will need to remove all metal objects, such as your jewelry, hairpins, and hearing aids. Metal objects interfere with X-rays.
- Avoid eating or drinking: Some types of X-rays (especially those of the abdomen) may require you to refrain from eating or drinking for a few hours.
- Wear comfortable clothing: You may need to wear a special gown provided by the hospital.
Most importantly: If you are pregnant, suspect you are pregnant, or are breastfeeding, be sure to tell the doctor or X-ray staff before having the X-ray.
What happens when an X-ray is taken?
Getting an X-ray is quick and painless. It usually goes something like this:
1. If necessary, you will first be given a dye (contrast medium). This may be given orally, as an injection, or in another way. When the injection is given, you may feel a slight warmth and a metallic taste in your mouth. This will go away within a few minutes.
2. Then you will be placed, stood, or lie down on a special table near the X-ray machine.
3. The technician (Radiographer) taking the X-ray will adjust the camera to focus on the part of your body that needs to be imaged.
4. You will be asked to hold your breath for a while to get a clear picture.
Since it's hard for young children to stay still, sometimes they can be gently held in place with something like a special strap to keep them from moving. This won't hurt the child, and it also allows you to take the picture without blurring.
Are there any side effects or risks?
An X-ray is generally a very safe and low-risk test.
Some people may experience minor side effects from that special 'dye'.
- Nausea or vomiting
- Stomach ache or bloating
- Headache
Very rarely, someone may have an allergic reaction to this dye. If you have other allergies or asthma, talk to your doctor about this risk. If you develop any unusual symptoms (such as skin rash, difficulty breathing) after receiving the dye, call your doctor immediately.
Should we be afraid of radiation?
Some people worry about the risk of cancer because X-rays use radiation. But the truth is, a typical X-ray exposes your body to a very small amount of radiation . This amount is no different than the amount of natural radiation we are exposed to in our daily lives from the environment (sunlight, the earth).
Think about it,
- The amount of radiation you receive from a chest X-ray is equivalent to the amount of radiation you are exposed to from the environment for an average of 10 days .
- The amount of radiation from a dental X-ray is equivalent to the amount of radiation from the environment in one day .
Therefore, there is no need to be unnecessarily afraid of this. However, even this small amount of radiation can be harmful to the baby in the womb of a pregnant mother. That is why it is necessary to tell the doctor if you are pregnant. In such cases, the doctor will refer you to another test that does not involve radiation, such as an MRI scan or an ultrasound scan .
Take-Home Message
- An X-ray is a painless, quick, and very common medical test used to take pictures of the inside of the body.
- The amount of radiation from this is very small, so don't be unnecessarily afraid.
- If you are pregnant, suspect you are pregnant, or are a breastfeeding mother, be sure to inform the medical staff before the X-ray.
- All metal objects, such as jewelry, must be removed before an X-ray.
- If you have any questions about the results after the test, talk to your doctor about it clearly.
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