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This Week - X : X-rays

Why an X-ray is done

An X-ray can be used to get images of many parts of the body, such as your:

• bones
• teeth
• lungs
• digestive system

An X-ray may be used to:

• check your bones for a fracture after an accident
• check for problems with your teeth, such as tooth decay
• find out if symptoms you are having could be caused by a condition, such as an infection or a blockage in your digestive system
• check if your child has swallowed something harmful, such as a battery
• help doctors see inside your body during a procedure

Types of X-ray

There are different types of X-ray that you can have.

Preparing for an X-ray

You will be told before your X-ray if there is anything you need to do to prepare for it.

Depending on the type of X-ray you are having, you may sometimes be asked to:

• not wear anything that has metal in it, such as jewellery, clothes with zips or poppers, bras or hair clips
• not eat or drink anything for several hours before the X-ray (fast)
• take a medicine the day before the X-ray that will make you poo

Tell the healthcare professional if you:

• are pregnant or might be pregnant
• are breastfeeding
• take any medicines
• have any allergies, or have had a previous reaction to barium, or a dye called contrast medium

Let the person doing your X-ray know if you'd like someone else to be in the room with you (a chaperone). This could be someone you know, or a trained member of staff.

What happens during an X-ray

Most X-rays are done in hospitals. Dental X-rays will usually be done in a dental surgery.

The health professional who does X-rays in hospital is called a radiographer.

Depending on the type of X-ray you're having, you may be given an injection of a dye called a contrast medium, a drink of barium, or have barium put into your bowels by putting a tube into your bottom (barium enema).

The contrast agent can make you feel hot and flushed and you may feel like there's a metal taste in your mouth. These feelings should pass quickly.

Having the X-ray itself should only take a few minutes:

1. You may be asked to change into a gown, depending on the part of your body being X-rayed.
2. The X-ray machine will be lined up to the part of your body being X-rayed.
3. The person taking the X-ray (as well as any chaperone) will move behind a screen or leave the room.
4. You'll be asked to keep very still for a few seconds and 1 or more X-rays will be taken - you will not feel anything when this happens.
5. You may be asked to move into different positions, if different parts of your body need to be X-rayed.

After the X-ray

You can usually leave as soon as the X-ray is done.

If you were given barium or contrast medium, you may be asked to wait for up to 30 minutes to make sure you do not have a reaction to it.

Getting your X-ray results

You should be told when you'll get the results of an X-ray.

This may be:

• on the same day as you have it
• at an appointment a few weeks after (if you've not heard anything after a few weeks, contact the doctor who referred you, or your GP)

A healthcare professional should explain the results of the X-ray and if any next steps are needed. This may include other tests.

Possible complications of X-rays

X-rays are usually very safe and serious complications are rare.

Some people can have an allergic reaction to the barium used in some types of X-ray. This can cause symptoms like breathing difficulties, dizziness and a skin rash.

You will be asked to wait at the hospital if there is a risk of a reaction. Staff are trained to treat these types of reaction if they do happen.

If you have lots of X-rays, then there is a very small risk that radiation from the X-rays could cause cancer.

Your doctor will assess the risks before offering you an X-ray, and discuss this with you.

If you want to find out more about this week's subject you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.