Why do doctors often suggest x-ray scans after an injury? So that they can find out the severity of the injury and accordingly think of the right treatment method. X-rays can detect hairline fractures, dislocated bones, or other underlying conditions that may not be readily apparent.
X-rays are not just useful for finding out whether you have a bone fracture or dislocated bone. It also shows digestive blockages, the heart’s condition, and various other problems, thus allowing the doctor to diagnose the matter quickly and not letting it go out of hand. It’s one of the best ways to eliminate the risk of misdiagnosing your health problem.
If you are searching for a reliable diagnostic clinic that performs x-ray imaging in Atlanta, you should contact Hurt 911 Injury Centers. Call us at 855-475-2588 for an early appointment, and we can arrange for the scan as soon as you come.
How Does an X-Ray Work?
An x-ray is a painless procedure for taking images of the inside of your body. It’s an effective way to take a look at your bones and detect various conditions. Radiologists are the best people in the healthcare industry to perform x-rays.
X-rays involve a type of radiation. You need to lie down on a table, and the radiologist will adjust the x-ray machine on top according to the location of your injury. The radiation passes through your body and takes images of your bones. Later the doctor checks whether you have a bone dislocation, hairline fracture, or there’s no severe injury at all.
The x-ray’s energy gets absorbed in your body at various rates. There is also a detector on your body’s other side. It captures the x-rays scans and creates images once the x-ray passes through the bones. Both the detector and the x-ray radiation work in tandem to capture clear images of the injured area.
Bones, being dense, don’t allow x-rays to pass through. That is why they appear as white areas on the final x-ray image. On the other hand, the softer areas like tissues, muscles, and tendons allow x-rays to pass easily. As a result, they appear as darker areas.
What Are X-Rays Used to Diagnose?
Doctors recommend x-rays to diagnose your joints and bones. Sometimes, x-rays also help detect problems with your soft tissues and internal organs. Hurt 911 Injury Centers has a team of experienced radiologists who can perform x-rays in any part of your body.
Here are a few problems that doctors can detect after checking your x-ray scans:
- Bone dislocation and fractures
- Cancerous and non-cancerous bone tumors
- Tooth problems like dental abscesses and loose teeth
- Lung problems like lung cancer and pneumonia
- Scoliosis
- Dysphagia
- Breast cancer
- Heart problems like heart failure
We use the latest x-ray machines to provide the best possible X-ray imaging in Atlanta. In addition to diagnosing the above problems, doctors also use x-rays during certain procedures, such as coronary angioplasty. It’s a procedure that widens some of your narrowed arteries near your heart. X-rays are also useful in guiding a catheter down your artery.
How Do You Prepare for an X-Ray?
There’s nothing to prepare for before an x-ray. As already mentioned, it’s a painless and quick procedure that hardly takes a few minutes. Unlike a few blood tests where you need to be on an empty stomach for a given period, you don’t have to do anything like that before an x-ray scan. Eat and drink as you normally do, and you can even continue to take your medication. These don’t affect the quality of your images.
The only time that you may need to avoid eating and drinking or stop taking medications is if the x-ray machine uses a contrast agent. A contrast agent is a substance that shows your soft tissues clearly.
There are four types of contrast agents that radiologists use depending on where the x-ray needs to be performed:
- Barium swallow – You need to swallow barium so that the x-ray can highlight your upper digestive system clearly.
- Barium enema – The radiologist passes barium through your anus and into your bowel.
- Angiography – The doctor injects iodine into your blood vessel to get clear images of your heart and blood vessels.
- Intravenous urogram – This is similar to angiography, but the x-ray focuses on your bladder and kidneys.
These x-rays take more time and require special preparation. Your doctor will specify whether you need an x-ray with a contrast agent.
What to Expect During and After an X-Ray?
The radiologist will ask you to lie down on a table. Sometimes you may need to stand straight against a flat surface depending on the part of your body that’s under the scanner. The x-ray machine looks like a tube that contains a large light bulb. A radiologist will operate the x-ray machine from another room or behind a screen. He positions the light using the machine and passes the radiation as soon as you are ready. You won’t feel anything when this happens. It hardly takes a fraction of a second to perform an x-ray scan.
X-rays don’t have any side effects. You can go home right away or get back to work after completing the scan. As the leading clinic for x-ray in Atlanta, we can assure you that there’s nothing to worry about with this procedure. It is suitable for people of all ages.
Are There Risks Associated with Getting an X-Ray?
There aren’t usually any risks to getting an x-ray scan, except for the following conditions:
- The doctor may choose another diagnostic tool if you’re pregnant, as the radiation may affect your baby.
- You may experience some temporary side effects due to the use of a contrast agent before the x-ray.
Contact the Hurt 911 Injury Centers Today to Schedule X-Ray Imaging in Atlanta
Hurt 911 Injury Centers is a reputable, trustworthy, affordable, and safe clinic for x-ray in Atlanta. Call us at 855-475-2588 to schedule an appointment if your doctor has suggested an x-ray to diagnose your condition. Our experienced staff will guide you through the whole process as soon as you step into our clinic.
