What is an X-ray: All you need to know

The article is professionally consulted by Dr., Doctor Tran Nhu Tu - Head of Diagnostic Imaging Department - Vinmec Danang International General Hospital.

Currently, X-ray plays a very important role in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. This method allows the doctor to see inside the patient's body without surgery. The following article will help us have the most complete understanding of X-rays.

X-rays are a type of high-energy radiation. X-ray machine emits high radiation X-ray beams, these X-rays easily penetrate soft tissues and body fluids, thereby creating images, which doctors will rely on. to diagnose disease.
Dense tissues such as bone will interfere with X-rays much. The more dense the tissue, the less X-rays can pass through.
Air and water give lower density because the constituent molecules are not tightly bonded, X-rays easily penetrate.
The performance of X-ray is a necessary indication in the diagnosis of many diseases, especially diseases related to bones, joints, respiratory, cardiovascular.

The person who needs to be taken will be asked by the technician to lie, sit, or stand in a few positions to take X-rays. You may have to hold your breath when performing a chest X-ray technique so that the images can be recorded clearly. sharpest possible.
X-ray film or image recording device will be placed behind the body part to be taken, X-ray after passing through those parts will be partially retained, the passing part will be recorded to create Picture.
The darker the recorded image, the more X-rays are projected onto the film. So parts of the body that block a lot of X-rays will appear white, while parts of the body that are empty or filled with air, such as the lungs, will appear black. Images recorded in soft tissues such as muscles or solid organs in the body will be gray, the grayness depends on their density.
X-ray techniques need to be performed under safe, secure and qualified conditions. The radiologist will analyze the images and send the results to the doctor who ordered the X-ray.

X-ray knowing what disease is an important factor doctors will consider to choose this technique in diagnosing disease. X-rays are indicated in cases
Check the painful area Monitor the progression of the disease Monitor the results of the treatment When you may have some diseases such as: arthritis, tumors in breast, lung disease, embolism, bone cancer, cardiovascular problems, broken bones, infections and dental problems... Pregnant women should not have X-rays. - X-rays caused by X-rays can adversely affect the development of the fetus.

Usually almost no preparation is needed before performing the X-ray technique. There are only a few small notes to help the X-ray process go smoothly as follows:
You should undress (in the X-ray position) to easily expose the lesion. Before taking an X-ray, you will have to remove all jewelry, metal objects from the body because metal can prevent X-rays from passing through the body, hindering the process of performing the technique. . Doctors may inject or give you a contrast dye before the scan if the test requires the use of contrast. To take an X-ray of the intestines, doctors will do an enema and clean out the intestines before the scan. Certain X-ray techniques require special preparation at the request of your doctor. X-ray is a commonly used diagnostic imaging method today with quick implementation time and relatively low cost. This is a necessary method for diagnosis, but X-ray still has some limitations and other risks. Therefore, it is necessary to consult carefully before deciding to perform an X-ray.
X-ray techniques as well as many other medical examination and treatment techniques at Vinmec International General Hospital are conducted by a team of highly qualified and experienced medical doctors; the system of advanced and modern machinery should significantly reduce radiation dose with the best image and always be updated according to medical progress in the world; Especially, professional service quality will help customers have the most comfortable and secure experience when visiting Vinmec.