X-ray plays a significant part in health screening processes. It can detect early symptoms of medical conditions that may otherwise not be visible or obvious.
What is X-ray
X-rays are actually electromagnetic waves and a type of imaging that shows parts of your body in different shades of black and white. Different tissues absorb different amounts of radiation.
The use of X-rays is the most common way for doctors to attain images of the inside of the body. It involves low doses of high-energy radiation.
The more radiation absorbed, the lighter the shade. For example, calcium in bones has a high X-ray absorption rate, so bones look white on the imaging. Fat and other soft tissues absorb less and look grey while air absorbs the least, making lungs look black.
What illnesses and diseases can be diagnose by X-ray
Apart from being able to detect fractures, x-rays are also used in many other ways. Abnormal findings in x-ray images may indicate a possible presence of cancer which requires further investigations.
Further tests are conducted to affirm results. Chest x-rays can spot pneumonia and mammograms use x-rays to look for breast cancer.
What to prepare for an x-ray scan
In most cases, preparation is not necessary for x-rays. Depending on the area that’s examined, patients may be asked to wear loose, comfortable clothing for ease of movements. Jewellery or other metallic items should be removed before the x-ray scan is taken.
During an x-ray scan, patients may wear a lead apron to protect certain parts of their body from scattered radiation. The radiation dose given out by a chest x-ray is equivalent to exposure in the natural environment over 10 days.
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