Healthcare professionals need to get into the nitty-gritty of the problems to provide medical assistance. Here, is where the X-rays come into the picture. It helps them to see what’s inside the body and eliminates the need for an incision. Other than this, X-ray technology is used in the space industry. There, it is proving to be remarkably useful. Currently, industries such as medical, security, environment, quality control, and manufacturing are using this technology for daily operations. In layman’s terms, an X-ray is a type of radiation that is passed through the body, where its energy gets absorbed at different rates. Once the radiation passes, the X-ray machine turns them into images. And that’s how we can look inside the body for examination.
Even though we get immense benefits from performing X-rays, the downside is that we are exposed to radiation. The exposure to radiation is low and argued that it does not outweigh the benefits. But we still need to consider several factors before opting for it. We have got different types of X-rays. Let’s look at some of them in detail.
1. Joint X-Ray
In cases of bone fracture, and wear and tear of cartilage or ligament, the Joint X-Ray is brought up. The reason is, it shows enough details to highlight the problem. In this type, the X-Ray is taken of the shoulder, wrist, hip, knee, and ankle. The purpose of performing this test is to identify the cause of difficulties in your joints. It is usually used to detect arthritis, fractures, degenerative bone conditions, or tumors in the joints. The other name for this test is Arthrography and Arthrogram. Even though the exposure to the radiation is low and outweighs the benefits, it can still put you at risk. And that’s why you will be guided to wear a protective shield to cover the areas that are not being scanned.
2. Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder X-Ray
When patients come with severe problems of abdominal pain, then the Kidney Ureter and Bladder X-ray is suggested. It helps to diagnose the cause of problems. Along with this, it is used to diagnose urinary tract disorder, gall stones, and kidney stones. Firstly, the x-ray assesses the urinary tract, obtaining the size, shape, and positions of the organs. These organs are the kidneys, ureters, and bladder. Then, the X-Ray images of the digestive system are taken. Overall, this test helps medical professionals to diagnose conditions such as tumors, intestinal blockage, and foreign objects in the stomach.
3. Skull X-Ray
There are several reasons for which the Skull X-Ray is performed. A few of these reasons are diagnosing tumors, head injuries, fractures, deformities, and decalcification. Here, along with the bones of the skull, the facial bones are examined. The x-ray images are taken from different views, including front and side views. The duration of the test is not more than 20 to 30 minutes. Even though we have advanced technology such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging(MRI) and Computed Tomography(CT), the Skull X-ray is used for detecting conditions of the skull and brain.
4. Dental X-Ray
In dental x-ray, the images are captured for identifying teeth, gum, and jaw problems. To be specific, it is used to identify cavities, tooth decay, jaw bone loss, abscesses, and cysts. There is bone loss in cases of gum disease, which is also revealed in this type of X-Ray. Depending on the X-ray film position, it is classified into two types: Intraoral and Extraoral.
The Intraoral includes Bitewing, Occlusal, and Periapical. Bitewing X-Ray is used for teeth above the gum line, and it detects the thickness of the bone caused by diseases. Occlusal X-Ray is used for the roof or floor of the mouth and helps to track the placement and development of the teeth in the jaw. Periapical X-Ray shows the complete teeth from the root to the crown, and it is used to detect unusual changes in the root.
The Extraoral includes Panoramic, Cephalometric, and Sialogram. Panoramic X-Ray shows the entire mouth and is used to diagnose tumors. Cephalometric X-Ray shows the side of the face, and it is recommended for different conditions and injuries. Additionally, it is used to develop treatment plans. The Sialogram X-Ray shows salivary ducts and glands, and it is used to detect salivary gland problems.
5. Neck X-Ray
The neck x-ray captures the images of the cerebral vertebrae, which includes the seven bones of your spine in the neck. The other name of this x-ray is cervical spine x-ray. It is used to detect neck injuries, osteoporosis, dislocation, inflammation, foreign objects, and disk problems. Since the neck supports the weight of our head, it is particularly vulnerable in cases of accidents and falls. So in these situations, a neck x-ray is performed.
6. Chest X-Ray
When patients come with the problem of chest injury, chest pain, or shortness of breath, they are suggested Chest X-Ray. Here, the images of the heart, lungs, chest bone, and spine are produced. It helps to diagnose serious conditions such as pneumonia, lung cancer, heart problems, broken ribs, and emphysema. It also reveals the size and outline of the heart, which indicates heart failure. Additionally, it detects calcium deposits and blood vessel problems. Certain medical conditions change the structure of the heart or lungs. So it becomes essential to perform a chest x-ray.
7. Pelvis X-Ray
The pelvis bone image is captured in this type of X-Ray that includes hip bones, sacrum, and coccyx. It is used to detect conditions such as pelvic fractures, tumors, hip dislocations, and arthritis. And Pelvis X-Ray is used to plan in the cases where surgery is required. Apart from these reasons, a Pelvis X-Ray is required to detect cysts and infections. This test is performed in times of traumatic events, which may include accidents and falls. Since the injured patients are exposed to radiation, they may experience some pain during the process. But overall, as mentioned, the benefits of X-rays outweigh the risks. It helps us to identify the cause of the problem and start the treatment as soon as possible.