How can you assess how much radiation you're getting, and how much is too much? To continue reading this article, you must log in. Already a member? Login ». As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content.
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Get helpful tips and guidance for everything from fighting inflammation to finding the best diets for weight loss Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School. Recent Blog Articles. Health news headlines can be deceiving. Your doctor is aware of the risks and benefits of x-rays, CT scans and nuclear medicine scans and should always balance the possible benefits of you having the test with the small risk.
It is always appropriate for you to have the x-ray or scan if it benefits you. Finding out if you have something wrong with you and the best way to treat it outweighs the very small risk of the scan.
The amount of radioactive material used for nuclear medicine scans and PET scans is very small, however, the radiation can sometimes take as long as a few days to pass out of your body. The amount of radiation you receive from these scans is similar to what you receive from x-ray procedures. Imaging procedures involving ionising radiation are not usually recommended for pregnant women, but can be performed in an emergency.
If you are having an x-ray dye for your CT scan or a radioactive tracer for your nuclear medicine scan, there is a small risk of:. You have the right to refuse an examination and may do so if you wish.
A written consent is not required for plain x-rays, however, may be required for some types of scans. This is a resource produced especially for consumers by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists: www. Or access the Diagnostic Imaging Pathways website at: www. All feedback, comments and suggestions regarding consumer information at Diagnostic Imaging Pathways are welcome. Please direct them to the following email address: This email address is being protected from spambots.
You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This article is intended as general information only. An X-ray is nothing but radiant energy that induces ionization radiation. These beams are capable of travelling through a body. While going through the body, they produce some image of the internal structure of the body. Well, you can see those images in the form of particular films, or you can see them on the computer. It is a beneficial process when doctors are looking for some specific diagnosis.
It also serves the purpose of a guide during specific procedures like inserting devices or tubes into the body. Almost all of us are exposed to certain types of emissions. When we go outside in the sun, we have to come across various radiations. Well, these radiations are the natural radiations.
Apart from the natural radiations, the artificial radiation that we come across is the x-rays. The intensity of the radiation depends on the medical examination that you are going through. For example, teeth, limbs, and chest test need a low concentration of radiation. But there are exams that demands more extensive uses of x-ray.
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