X-ray: Procedure and Purpose

Posted By Suborna Fermi Posted on Dec 25, 2024

X-ray is one of the most popular and oldest imaging procedures. Almost every diagnostic centre these days provides the facilities of X-ray. X-ray is a specific type of medical imaging technique that involves the use of radiation to take pictures of your internal body parts. X-rays can be used to diagnose bone fractures or tooth breakage. However, X-rays can help to detect a wide range of injuries.

What is an X-ray with contrast?

Sometimes, a particular type of contrast material is used in X-ray because contrast materials are purposed to make different internal structures of a human body easier to see. Before the X-ray process starts, the contrast material is inserted into the body of the patient. It may come in the form of a pill, any liquid, or powder. Either you can consume it orally, or it can be injected into your body. The type of X-ray that you are about to have determines how you are supposed to consume the contrast material.

Why do you need an X-ray?

A doctor can recommend you an X-ray

• If it becomes necessary to check for bone fractures in your body or structural problems of your bones, soft tissues, or joints.
• If it is necessary to check for the signs of infection in your lungs.
• If it is needed to look for the presence of foreign objects in an individual’s body.
• If it is necessary to figure out the root cause of occurring symptoms.

What can be detected using X-ray?

Internal issues that can be detected using X-ray include

• Bone fractures
• Arthritis
• Bone abnormalities or changes
• Tumors
• Kidney stones
• Infections
• Scoliosis
• A herniated disc in the spine
• Tooth cavities

How does an X-ray process work?

Radiation beams are sent throughout your body during an X-ray process to capture images of your internal body parts. When the radiation starts passing through your body, your tissues, bones and some other structures absorb the radiation in different ways. For example, dense objects such as bones absorb it easily, unlike body tissues. This is the reason why body organs appear in a grey shade on X-ray reports. Once the process is done and all the necessary images are captured, the radiologist examines those images to look for internal problems.

How should you prepare for an X-ray?

The preparations that you should take before appearing for the X-ray process depend on what kind of X-ray it is that you are about to get. Some general instructions that are usually given before the X-ray process starts are mentioned below.

• You must avoid applying lotions or creams before the X-ray process starts.
• You should stop drinking or eating a few hours before the process starts.
• You must remove all types of metal objects that you are carrying before the X-ray process starts.
• You must inform the pathologists if you are pregnant because the radiation beams used in X-ray can harm your fetus.

What can you expect during the X-ray process?

• You will either be asked to lie down on a table or you have to sit or stand next to the X-ray machine as per instructions.
• Then the X-ray camera will be positioned near the body part that needs to be scanned.
• They will ask you to move your body in different directions and positions and stand still to ensure a clearer outcome of the X-ray images.

In case of an X-ray with contrast, the contrast element will be provided to you in the form of a pill or injection before the scanning process starts.

The radiologist will check all the images carefully, and then inform you if anything wrong is seen in the test report. Soon after any abnormalities are diagnosed, you must get in touch with a medical expert to discuss further treatment options. Some individuals may experience headaches, skin rash, nausea, or vomiting after receiving the contrast material. Inform your doctor if you have experienced any kind of uneasiness after the consumption of the contrast material.

Consider choosing a reliable and advanced diagnostic centre to make sure you get the best service quality. A lot of pathology labs have started providing world-class X-ray scanning services, hence, it is available almost everywhere now for a very reasonable price. Consult them today to know more in this regard.