However, x-rays are still a very significant practice in the health industry. Doctors and experts treat it as an essential diagnostic tool in the case of some medical conditions. Although, X-rays are a quite useful diagnostic tool still there is confusion that X-rays are harmful to our body, if we do it frequently. So, let us have a detailed discussion about it.
An X-ray is nothing but radiant energy that induces ionization radiation. These beams are capable of travelling through a body. While going through the body, they produce some image of the internal structure of the body.
Well, you can see those images in the form of particular films, or you can see them on the computer. It is a beneficial process when doctors are looking for some specific diagnosis. It also serves the purpose of a guide during specific procedures like inserting devices or tubes into the body.
Almost all of us are exposed to certain types of emissions. When we go outside in the sun, we have to come across various radiations. Well, these radiations are the natural radiations. An average CT scan might raise the chance of fatal cancer by 1 in 2, This figure pales in comparison to the natural incidence of fatal cancer in the US of 1 in 5. Additionally, there is some debate as to whether very low X-ray exposure can cause cancer at all.
A recent report on the matter, published in the American Journal of Clinical Oncology , claims that X-ray procedures carry no risk.
The paper argues that the type of radiation experienced in a scan is not enough to cause long-lasting damage. The authors claim that any damage caused by low-dose radiation is repaired by the body, leaving no lasting mutations. It is only when a certain threshold is reached that permanent damage can be produced. This threshold, according to the authors, is far higher than the standard X-ray dose from any type of scan. It is important to note that these safety facts apply to adults only.
CT scans in children may triple the risk of brain cancer and leukemia, especially when administered to the abdomen and chest at certain doses. The authors go on to point out that despite being bombarded by cosmic rays and background radiation, the people of America are living longer than ever, partly because of advancements in medical imaging, such as the CT scan.
Overall, the importance of making the right diagnosis and choosing the correct course of treatment makes X-rays far more beneficial than they are dangerous. Whether there is a small risk or no risk at all, the X-ray is here to stay.
Magnetic resonance imaging MRI scans produce detailed images of the organs and tissues in the body. Computed tomography CT , otherwise known as computed axial tomography CAT scans, give doctors explicit internal images of the body, which they can…. Barium is a white liquid used to coat the organs of the digestive system during an X-ray.
This can help to provide a clearer picture of a person's…. What to know about X-rays. Medically reviewed by William Morrison, M. What are X-rays? Share on Pinterest The first X-ray was carried out over years ago. Share on Pinterest Different X-ray procedures release different quantities of radiation. Side effects. Exposure to air pollutants may amplify risk for depression in healthy individuals.
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