X-rays can be used to diagnose many different kinds of medical issues. While X-rays are most commonly used to diagnose broken bones, they can also diagnose things like tumors and blood vessel blockages, too.

Our AFC Urgent Care Southcenter team provides some further information on X-rays and their uses below, so read on!

What Is an X-ray?

An X-ray is a type of electromagnetic radiation, like the light we see throughout the day. However, unlike visible light, X-rays have much more energy, so they can pass through the human body and produce images on film. Since the bones let fewer radiation rays pass through them, they show up as bright white. Tissues and muscles let more radiation pass through them, and they show up as varying shades of gray.

We’ve listed some reasons why getting an X-ray would be necessary below.

Potential Reasons for X-ray

• Breast tumors
• Enlarged heart
• Blocked blood vessels
• Conditions affecting your lungs
• Digestive problems
• Fractures
• Infections
• Osteoporosis
• Arthritis
• Tooth decay

Are There Different Types of X-rays?

There are! When your doctor is having a tough time diagnosing a specific ailment, he or she will often turn to a diagnostic tool, like an X-ray, to help with the diagnosis. There are many types of X-rays, such as chest, abdominal, kidney, neck and skull X-rays, that can be performed.

If you need an X-ray, you don’t have to make an appointment at our AFC center to get one, and you don’t have to do anything special to prepare for it either. We’ve listed the typical X-ray process below.

Typical X-ray Process

• The radiographer will require proper positioning for the exam. You may be asked to stand up, lie down or sit down.
• The radiographer will place you between the X-ray machine and the imaging device that captures the X-rays being transmitted through that part of your body.
• The radiographer may shield parts of your body with an apron or smock. This is to reduce the risk of unnecessary radiation exposure.
• The radiographer operates the controls while each image is taken. To do this, he or she will stand behind a screen and call instructions to you if necessary.
• You may be asked to hold your breath for a couple of seconds as each picture is taken so that the breathing movement doesn’t blur the images.

As much as we don’t want them to, injuries and other ailments happen! Don’t hesitate to visit our AFC Urgent Care Southcenter for X-rays and other general medical care.