An X-ray is a fast and simple procedure that uses a small dose of X-ray radiation to create images of the inside of your body to show damage and certain diseases.
It’s particularly suitable for bones, but X-rays have many uses and are used in medical settings, from hospitals to dentists. For example, X-rays can be used to help diagnose and monitor osteoarthritis and are also used before and after joint replacement surgery.
Why you might need an X-ray
There are many reasons why you may be referred for an X-ray, including diagnosing the cause of pain or discomfort, tracking the progress of a disease (e.g. osteoporosis) and checking the effectiveness of a treatment. However, X-rays are most commonly used to look at bones and joints for fractures or disease, such as arthritis.
They can also detect other conditions including:
- Breast cancer
- Gastrointestinal problems — this includes difficulties swallowing (dysphagia)
- Lung diseases — chest X-rays are used to detect lung cancer and pneumonia
- Scoliosis — a condition causing the spine to curve
- Teeth problems — this includes tooth decay.
Hand X-rays may also be used to monitor growth in children.
X-rays are sometimes used to help doctors during certain tests and procedures, such as a coronary angioplasty where a thin tube (catheter) is guided into your arteries using X-ray guidance to be able to widen a narrowed artery.
An X-ray machine sends a beam of ionising radiation into the area being examined. This is absorbed differently by each type of tissue or organ. This information is captured on the X-ray image and shows up as shaded areas from black to white.
Your procedure
You will sit, lie on a flat table or stand on or against a flat surface. This will allow your care team to correctly position the part of your body that needs to be imaged by the X-ray machine.
A person specially trained in taking X-rays (a radiographer) will operate the machine from behind a screen.
The X-ray only takes a few seconds and you will not feel anything. You will need to remain still to stop the image from blurring. You may need to have several X-rays taken from different angles.
If you have a young child who is having an X-ray, you can stay in the room with them but will need to wear a lead apron to prevent any unnecessary exposure.
In some cases, you may need to have a contrast agent so certain tissues in your body show up more clearly during your X-ray. These procedures usually need more time to prepare for than a standard X-ray.
Afterwards, you can return to your usual activities.
A radiologist (a doctor who specialises in reading X-rays) will examine the images and send a report to the doctor who requested your scan. Depending on the results, your referring doctor may be able to make a clear diagnosis and recommend treatment, or they may ask for further imaging or blood tests.
Preparing for your X-ray
For standard X-rays, you don’t usually need to do anything special to prepare. This means you can eat, drink and take any medications as usual.
However, if you are having a contrast agent for your X-ray, you may need to avoid eating and drinking for several hours beforehand and stop taking certain medications. Your care team will advise you before you come in for your X-ray.
If you are having an X-ray to examine your gut, you may also need to fast and avoid drinking certain fluids before your procedure. In some cases, you may also need to take medications to empty your bowels.
On the day of your X-ray, make sure you are wearing loose, comfortable clothes without any metal attachments such as zips, buckles or metal buttons. In some cases, you may be asked to change into a hospital gown.
Any metal items such as jewellery will need to be removed before your X-ray.
If you have any metal implants, tell your care team as these can affect the quality of the X-ray images.
X-ray risks
An X-ray is painless and although it uses ionising radiation, you’re exposed to a low dose for less than a second.
Depending how much of your body is X-rayed, the amount of radiation is the same as the background radiation you’d naturally be exposed to over a few days.
It is known that exposure to X-rays may slightly increase your chances of developing cancer many years later, although this risk is very small.
If you are pregnant or suspect you may be pregnant, tell your doctor — they may recommend a different scan such as an MRI.
At Wells Health, we’re careful to weigh up the benefits and risks of any X-ray and will discuss it with you if you have any concerns.
How much does an X-ray cost?
Please contact us for a quote.