Some people worry that X-rays aren’t safe because radiation exposure that may lead to illness.
However, if you receive an injection of contrast medium before your X-rays, call your doctor if you experience pain, swelling or redness at the injection site. Routine X-rays usually have no side effects. Much like conventional photography, motion causes blurry images on radiographs, and thus, patients may be asked to hold their breath or not move during the brief exposure (about 1 second).Īn X-ray procedure may take only a few minutes for a bone X-ray, or more than an hour for more-involved procedures, such as those using a contrast medium.Īfter an X-ray, you generally can resume normal activities. He or she may use pillows to help you hold the proper position. You can’t feel the X-ray passing through you.Ī technologist positions your body to obtain the necessary views. If abdominal studies are planned and you have had a barium contrast study (such as a barium enema, upper GI series, or barium swallow) or taken medications containing bismuth (such as Pepto-Bismol) in the last 4 days, the test may be delayed until the contrast has fully passed.Īn X-ray machine produces a tiny burst of radiation, at a safe level, that passes through your body and records an image on a specialized plate. You may swallow the contrast medium, or receive it as an injection or an enema. Contrast mediums, such as barium and iodine, help outline a specific area of your body on the X-ray image.
Inform the health care provider prior to the exam if you are pregnant, may be pregnant, or have an IUD inserted.īefore some types of X-rays you’re given a liquid called contrast medium. You may also be asked to remove jewelry, eyeglasses and any metal objects that may obscure the X-ray image, because these objects can show up on an X-ray. You may be asked to wear a gown during the exam, depending on which area is being X-rayed. In general, you undress whatever part of your body needs examination. Ask the imaging center to provide you with specific instructions when scheduling your appointment. *For some types of X-ray tests, a contrast medium (special dye) - such as iodine or barium - is introduced into your body to provide greater detail on the X-ray images.ĭifferent types of X-rays require different preparations. Multiple individual views may be requested. The positioning of the patient, x-ray machine, and film depends on the type of study and area of interest. X-ray exams are performed in some of our outpatient imaging facilities by an x-ray technologist. Structures containing air will be black, and muscle, fat, and fluid will appear as shades of gray. Metal and contrast media* will also appear white. Structures that are dense (such as bone) will block most of the x-ray particles and will appear white. A computer is used to record the images that are created from a digital x-ray plate.
An X-ray machine sends individual x-ray particles through the body. An X-ray is a quick, painless test that produces images of the structures inside your body - particularly your bones. X-ray is only offered in our Columbus, Northern Kentucky and Naples regions.
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