Types of X-Rays and How They Work
Your doctor can’t diagnose fractured bones or damaged tissues in your body by observation. However, with imaging technologies, the doctor can check for fractures on your bones or lumps in your soft tissues without having to make incisions on your body. One of the imaging techniques your physician can use is x-rays.
What Is an X-Ray?
An x-ray is an imaging technique that helps your doctor view inside your body without cutting through your body. With x-ray images, the doctor can diagnose and treat many medical conditions.
There are several reasons why you would need x-rays. Your doctor in the nearest ER might order an x-ray to:
- Examine the area in your body experiencing pain or discomfort
- Monitor the progression and improvements of an already diagnosed disease
- Evaluate the efficiency of the prescribed drugs
You might consider imaging services in Baytown if you have the following conditions:
- Bone disease and cancer
- Fractured or cracked bone
- Osteoporosis
- Blocked blood vessels
- Lung conditions
- Breast tumors
- Arthritis and other joint problems
- Tooth decay and infections
What Are the Different Types of X-Rays?
There are different types of x-rays, depending on the site of imaging on your body. Some of the types of x-rays that the doctor at the emergency clinic near you can order include:
- Angiography. An angiography test entails using x-ray images to check for obstructions in your coronary artery. Your doctor can order an angiography test if you are experiencing unexplained chest pains. During the x-ray test, your physician will inject contrast material into one of the heart arteries.
- Barium enema. A barium enema is an x-ray on your gastrointestinal tract to check for abnormalities in your colon. During the imaging test, the doctor fills the colon with barium to help make it visible to the x-ray.
- Teeth and bone x-rays. X-ray images of your teeth or bone give a detailed view of the skeletal tissues and can help identify infections, fractures, and cracks on the structures.
- Chest x-rays. If you are experiencing shortness of breath, chest pains, and a persistent coughing, your doctor can prescribe a chest x-ray. The chest x-ray will help the dentist examine the bones, tissues, and organs around the thoracic cavity.
- KUB x-rays. If you have abdominal pains around the kidney and bladder area, the doctor at the emergency room in Baytown might recommend a kidney, ureter, and bladder x-ray. The KUB x-ray will help identify abnormalities in your urinary system and create a treatment plan for you.
How Do X-Rays Work?
When your doctor carries out an x-ray imaging test, the beam of x-rays passes through your body. A bone or soft tissue then blocks or absorbs the x-ray beam depending on the density. The x-ray then creates a shadow-like impression with bones appearing to be white, the organs dark and grey for muscles.
About X-Rays Service at Altus ER Baytown
When getting x-ray services at Altus Emergency Center, you will only require only one appointment. Before the imaging procedure, you might need to prepare. Here is a look at what you might before and during the x-ray imaging procedure.
Preparation
Depending on the area your doctor or radiologist is examining, you might need to wear loose and comfortable clothes. Your doctor might ask you to remove any jewelry. Also, you should notify your doctor if you have any metal implants around the area of examination since they can block some organs.
When you go for x-ray tests for soft tissue organs in the nearest ER, the doctor might recommend using a contrast material such as barium. Depending on the reason for getting the x-ray, your doctor or radiologist can administer the contrast material orally, through an injection, or an enema before the test.
The X-Ray Test
During the imaging procedure, the doctor will ask you to position your body in a certain way for clear x-ray images. The dentist will then take the x-ray images using a special plate that contains films and sensors. The doctor can ask you to lie on the plate and use a large camera to take x-ray images.
ER Near Me
Are you looking for an emergency room near you? At our clinic, we provide 24/7 ER x-ray services and ensure you receive quality imaging that is also safe for you.