X-rays use a small dose of radiation to create pictures of the inside of the body.
X-rays can be taken of any part of the body. They are especially good for looking at injuries to bones.
X-rays can also be used to:
Before your x-ray is taken, you may be asked to remove jewelry and put on a hospital gown.
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant.
A lead shield may be placed on parts of your body not being x-rayed. This will help to reduce your exposure to radiation. You will be placed against a device that holds the x-ray film, or you may be asked to hold a cassette against your body.
The x-ray device will be placed over the part of your body being studied. You will be asked to remain as still as possible while the images are captured.
Once the x-ray is complete, you will be able to resume your daily activities.
A few minutes
No
RESOURCES:
American College of Radiology
http://www.radiologyinfo.org
Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Food and Drug Administration
http://www.fda.gov/cdrh
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Association of Radiologists
http://www.car.ca
Canadian Institute for Health Information
http://www.cihi.ca
References:
Safety: radiation exposure in x-ray examinations. Radiological Society of North America website. Available at: http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/safety/index.cfm?pg=sfty_xray&bhcp=1. Accessed April 19, 2007.
X-rays. Complete Medical Encyclopedia. American Medical Association; 2003.
Last reviewed October 2009 by Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Copyright © 2007 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.