Top 5 Uses of X-rays
An X-ray is a common diagnostic procedure that is performed in nearly every hospital and outpatient center. There are many reasons why your doctor might order an X-ray. However, some are more common.
Some of the most common reasons are:
- To evaluate symptoms in the body. An x-ray can help doctors look inside the body and may help them evaluate symptoms you’re having. This is especially useful when helping to diagnose illnesses, such as pneumonia or heart problems.
- To diagnose injuries. When you have sustained sudden trauma, doctors may use an x-ray to identify injuries, such as broken bones and joint dislocations.
- To perform dental checks. Dentists often use x-rays to check the oral health of their patients. X-rays are ideal for finding cavities and tooth decay.
- To diagnose cancer. Doctors often use x-rays to diagnose and stage various cancers. They’re also used in mammograms to help detect breast cancer.
- To identify joint changes. Specialists often use x-rays to identify arthritis in elderly patients. While a typical x-ray might not work to detect joint changes, special x-rays called arthrograms can identify problems and help doctors treat arthritis.
As you can see, x-rays are a vital tool in diagnosing many conditions. They can help your doctor determine the best course of treatment for you
What is an X-ray, and How Does it Work?
An x-ray is a high-energy form of electromagnetic radiation. It is used in medicine, dentistry, and industry. X-rays can pass through the human body, which makes them useful for imaging bones and other structures inside the body. They are also used to inspect objects for defects and to detect contraband materials such as drugs and weapons.
X-rays are produced when electrons are accelerated to high speeds and then collide with a metal target. The resulting x-ray photons have a wide range of energies, from very low (soft) to very high (hard). Hard x-rays are more penetrating than soft x-rays but are also more harmful to living tissue.
Medical x-rays are soft x-rays and are typically taken at relatively low energies in order to minimize the risk of damage to the patient. Industrial x-rays, on the other hand, are often taken at much higher energies (hard x-rays) to penetrate thicker materials.
X-rays are invisible to the human eye and can only be detected using special equipment such as an x-ray film or digital x-ray detector. When an x-ray photon hits the detector, it produces a small amount of electrical charge that can be converted into a visible image.
The risks associated with exposure to x-rays depend on the energy of the x-rays, the duration of exposure, and the part of the body that is exposed. X-ray radiation can cause damage to living tissue, including cancer. Therefore, it is important to limit exposure to x-rays, especially for children and pregnant women.
Despite the risks, x-rays are an important tool for medicine and industry, and their benefits far outweigh the risks when used properly.
Schedule Your X-ray Today
At ImageCare Radiology, we offer a variety of diagnostic imaging services, including x-rays. We accept walk-in X-rays at all of our locations at a price that is often significantly cheaper than going to your local hospital or emergency room. If your doctor has requested an x-ray or any other imaging service, give us a call today at 973-871-3333 to schedule an appointment or complete our convenient online appointment request form.