Medical imaging allows us to see inside the body without making incisions, and this technology began with a method that remains popular today: the X-ray. Believe it or not, this method of imaging was discovered in the late 19th century (1895) by William Röntgen, labeled as Röntgen Rays, and allowed us to take photos of our skeleton.
Since then, X-rays have played a major role in medical imaging, despite the many options available in modern medicine. However, since this technology requires radiation, there are still concerns about its safety.
Let’s put this to rest by showing you how X-rays work, how safe they can be, and how well they still work compared to other imaging methods. Dr. Andrew Nangalama and the medical staff at American River Urgent Care offer a range of urgent care and walk-in clinic services for diagnosing problems, including X-rays.
In order to get an image of your internal workings, X-rays use a form of energy very similar to visible light rays, but using a higher energy level and a shorter wavelength. These rays are emitted from a machine consisting of a cathode and an anode (an electrode pair) in a vacuum tube, with a motor rotating the anode and an oil bath absorbing the heat.
A lead shield prevents X-rays from emitting in all directions, and a small window in the shield projects them as a narrow beam that passes through filters before reaching the patient. A camera records the pattern of the X-ray emitted, and the resulting image is a negative, with different materials in the body appearing as shifts in the beam's focus.
X-rays occur naturally and are one of many different types of radiation, and we’re exposed to other forms of radiation regularly, such as ultraviolet rays. The dangers lie in how much the body gets inundated by, and with X-rays, there are minor risks, but the benefits far outweigh those risks.
This form of energy is classified as a carcinogen, but exposure to this energy only increases your risk of cancer by up to 1.8% by the time most people are 75. Only 0.4% of cancers develop from exposure to X-rays, and even then, it’s from another type of medical imaging, called a CT scan, which emits higher doses than traditional X-rays.
How well X-rays compare with other methods depends on what you need medical imaging for. Different parts of the body are more easily detected with different methods, and here’s how that breaks down:
This method is still frequently used to detect skeletal injuries or other problems, but it is also useful for detecting various organ abnormalities or objects lodged in the body.
Computer Tomography (CT) scans use X-rays, but with different scanners and computers to get better images, allowing us to better examine bones, blood vessels, organs, and various types of tissue.
This technique uses sound waves to obtain real-time images of your inner workings, with a wand-like device gently pressed against your body. It’s useful for analyzing superficial lumps in your abdomen, pelvic region, breasts, thyroid, and prostate that won't show up well on an X-ray.
Short for magnetic resonance imaging, this imaging method uses a combination of magnetic fields and radio waves to develop a very high-resolution image of body tissue. However, traditional machines place you in a large tube, where some people experience claustrophobic episodes.
Other methods, like fluoroscopy and mammograms, work for specialized needs, but no single option is perfect for every situation. Despite having literally started the medical imaging revolution, X-rays are still quite useful for specific needs, with a low risk of harm from the radiation they emit.
If you have medical needs requiring X-rays, make an appointment with Dr. Nangalama and Americal River Urgent Care today to get a diagnosis.
