Common Types of X-rays Done in Emergency Situations

Nov 09, 2021

If you ever find yourself in the ​nearest ER in your location, then be ready to have an x-ray done for your body. In many medical emergencies, x-rays are necessary to provide elaborate information regarding your health. Besides, if you are not fit enough to explain in detail what your problem is, an x-ray can help provide the necessary information for your treatment. Even then, not all situations call for x-rays in emergency health care.

What Are X-rays?

They are digital tests done to take radiographic images of the internal parts of your body. ​X-rays typically use electromagnetic waves to create shades of black and white images. X-ray imaging is done to allow medical professionals to have a closer look at the internal organs of your body that would otherwise only be visible during surgery. With the images taken during x-rays, a doctor can properly diagnose your problem and offer the correct prognosis.

X-rays near you are quick and painless imaging tests that are done only on a need basis. As such, it is not always the case that your doctor in an emergency room near you will request an x-ray. The tests are mostly done for further diagnosis, especially where the doctor needs to analyze parts of your body that are not easily accessible at face value. Sometimes, a doctor may employ a contrast medium that will help improve the accuracy of the images by providing more detailed information about your internal body organs.

What Happens During X-rays?

Not much preparation is involved during x-rays. Your doctor will only require you to undress enough to expose the target area of your body needing the x-ray. From there, your doctor will direct you to a special room where you either sit, stand, or lie down when the radiographic images are being taken. You should not anticipate any downtime after an x-ray procedure since side effects and complications are very rare.

What Issues Can X-rays Detect?

Since x-rays in the lab & radiology services are done for diagnosis, a doctor can detect all sorts of health issues from the radio images taken. Some of the issues include:

  1. Cancer – different types of cancers like breast cancer, lung cancer, cancer of the bone, or oral cancer are detectable through various types of x-rays.
  2. Arthritis – is a condition that affects the joints.
  3. Dental decay and tooth cavities
  4. Fractured bones and dislocated joints
  5. Congestive heart failure and other heart diseases
  6. Various infections like tuberculosis (TB) and pneumonia
  7. Digestive problems
  8. Foreign objects in your body – for example, when you swallow a key or coin.

Common Types of X-rays

To understand the different types of x-rays, you must concentrate on the various parts of the body that may require 24/7 ER imaging services. Some parts of the body that may necessitate x-rays in an imaging center near you include the following:

  1. Bone x-rays – to check for fractured bones. Sometimes bone x-rays may be done to check for bone cancer or the density of the bones. The focus of bone x-rays is broad, given as there are many types of bones in the human body. Therefore, even neck x-rays, hand x-rays, or feet x-rays can all be considered as bone x-rays.
  2. Dental x-rays – focus on your oral cavity, creating images for your jawbone and teeth. Many times, dentists request dental x-rays to check for deep dental decay or diagnose temporomandibular joint disorders.
  3. Joint x-rays – are done to evaluate the state of your joints, as is the case with arthritis.
  4. Chest x-rays – to check the health of the organs enclosed in your chest, including your lungs, heart, and blood vessels. A chest x-ray may also involve a special type of x-ray called a mammogram to check for cancer of the breasts.
  5. Head x-rays – they focus on the internal organs of the head, including skull x-rays.
  6. Abdominal x-rays – are done to evaluate the condition of your abdominal region, including the bowel, digestive tract, reproductive organs, to mention a few. Abdominal imaging will also entail ureter and bladder x-rays that may provide more insight regarding the health of other organs like your kidneys and liver.