Patient education: X-ray (The Basics)

What is an X-ray? — An X-ray is a type of imaging test. Imaging tests create pictures of the inside of the body. The medical term for X-ray is "radiograph."

On an X-ray:

●Your bones look white.

●The air inside your lungs or other organs looks dark, sometimes black.

●Your organs, muscles, and other tissues appear in shades of gray.

●Most objects or devices in your body will also show up – Examples include a pacemaker, bone screw or plate, or piece of metal.

Doctors use X-rays to learn more about an illness, condition, or injury. You might need an X-ray:

●To check for problems inside your body – Examples include an infection, heart disease, collapsed lung, or cancer.

●To check for a fracture (broken bone)

●After getting a medical device inserted or having surgery – Examples include getting a pacemaker, having a broken bone set, or getting a catheter put in.

X-rays work by giving you a very small amount of radiation. The person that does the X-ray is called an "X-ray technician." The type of doctor who specializes in reading X-rays is called a "radiologist." But most doctors can read the results of an X-ray.

How do I prepare for an X-ray? — The technician will tell you if you need to do anything special to prepare.

Before some X-rays:

●You might get a special kind of dye, or "contrast." This is used to help specific organs, blood vessels, tissues, or bones show up more clearly on an X-ray.

●You might need to "fast" or stop taking certain medicines. Fasting means not eating or drinking anything for a period of time.

In general, you should remove any jewelry. This is because metal shows up on the X-ray and can make it hard to read. You might also need to remove any clothing with snaps, zippers, or metal.

If you are pregnant or you might be pregnant, tell your doctor or technician before you get the X-ray. Some X-rays are generally safe for pregnant people. But in some cases, your doctor might want to delay the X-ray until you are no longer pregnant. If you do need to have an X-ray while pregnant, your technician will take extra precautions to protect the fetus (developing baby).

What happens during an X-ray? — X-rays can be done in a special room or with a portable machine. When it is time for your X-ray:

●The technician might ask you to stand, sit, or lie down. You might need to have a few X-rays in different positions or from different angles.

●The technician will help you get into the right position for each X-ray. You will need to hold still so the picture is clear. You might need to hold your breath or hold a certain position for a few seconds while the X-ray is being taken.

●The X-ray machine will be on 1 side of you. On the other side, there will be a large metal plate. The metal plate helps to make the X-ray image clear. The technician might stand behind a wall or on the other side of the room when taking your X-ray.

●The technician might give you a special apron that contains lead to protect part of your body. This will minimize the amount of radiation that passes through to your body. If you are pregnant, the apron will protect the lower half of your body, including the fetus.

●X-rays are painless and usually quick. You won't be able to feel the radiation passing through your body. But sometimes, you might need to be in an uncomfortable position for a few minutes.

What happens after an X-ray? — Your doctor or nurse will look at the X-ray. A radiologist will also look it. Your doctor or nurse will contact you with your results once they are ready.

If your X-ray shows any abnormal results, your doctor or nurse will talk to you about what to do next. They might need to do more tests to figure out what the cause is.

If you do have a health problem, your doctor will work with you to come up with a plan for treatment.

What are the risks of an X-ray? — Your doctor will tell you about all of the possible risks, and answer your questions. Getting an X-ray is usually very safe.

In general, exposure to radiation from imaging tests might very slightly raise your risk of developing cancer later in life. But a single X-ray only exposes you to a tiny amount of radiation. The overall risk increases if you have to get many X-rays or other radiation-based imaging tests over time.

More on this topic

Patient education: CT scan (The Basics)
Patient education: Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (The Basics)
Patient education: Fractures (The Basics)