Are X-Rays Dangerous? Everything you need to know about X-Rays

An X-Ray shows health professionals a clear image of the inside of the body. Doctors rely on them to reveal any possible damage or injuries that may be present in the body’s interior. Before they were created, health professionals had to judge the damage of a body based on the exterior. They act as a key factor towards the identification, diagnosis and treatment of various medical conditions and allow doctors to make better informed decisions based on their findings. However, despite their obvious advantages, many people remain fearful of x-rays due to their possible health risks.

Are X-Rays Dangerous

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When is an X-Ray Used?

Your doctor may wish to take an X-ray to search for a sign of illness or disease, or to monitor its progression, for example. Such health conditions that usually require an x-ray, or even several x-rays, include bone cancer, breast tumours, arthritis, fractures, blocked blood vessels, lung conditions, heart problems, infections, swallowed items or digestive problems.

X-Ray Health Risks

A small amount of radiation is used in x-rays and will not harm an adult. However, unborn children should never be exposed to a traditional x-ray, which is why pregnant mothers will be given a different kind of x-ray instead such as an MRI. It is the presence of radiation that could risk the health of the foetus. If you are pregnant you should alert your doctor before the procedure.

According to Healthline, people who have a broken bone may experience some pain during the x-ray. This is usually caused during the process as you may be asked to change positions to allow better images to be captured. These different positions may cause pain of discomfort depending on your initial injury.

One of the most popular side effects of having an X-ray originate from the iodine dye that the doctor injects a patient with before taking the X-Ray. The dye itself is designed to improve the image quality. However, it can cause a series of potential side effects such as nausea, hives, itching and light headedness.

These side effects are not considered to be life threatening, however, some people may experience more severe symptoms such as anaphylactic shock or even cardiac arrest. These occurrences are extremely rare however. It is worth remembering that X-Ray devices have been approved by the FDA and were involved in intricate research studies involving a qualified Clinical-Project-Management team from clinical solution providers such as http://www.gandlscientific.com.