X-RAY SCAN IN BEREA, KY
Our internal medicine doctors use X-rays to find an object that a patient swallowed. Here at Berea Walk-in Clinic, we use this type of imaging test to check the lungs for signs of pneumonia or tuberculosis. This way, our doctors can figure out why you have shortness of breath, or check for heart failure.
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What Is An X-Ray?
An X-ray is an imaging test that’s been used for so long. Our doctors use this test to help them view the inside of the body without having to make an incision. it also helps detect and monitor medical conditions, such as broken bones.
What Types of X-Rays Are There?
Here at Berea Walk-in Clinic, located in Berea, KY, we offer a wide variety of X-rays:
Abdominal
This helps us produce images of the inside of the abdominal cavity. This test is fast and easy. Therefore, it is very useful in emergency diagnosis and treatment.
Skull
We perform this type of image testing to examine the bones of the skull, including the facial bones, the nose, and the sinuses.
Chest
This is used to evaluate the lungs, heart, and chest wall. It is also used to diagnose shortness of breath, persistent cough, fever, chest pain, or injury.
Thoracic Spine
A thoracic spine X-ray is an imaging test used to inspect any problems with the bones in the middle of your back.
Bones
We use this method to detect any bone diseases in areas such as arms, shoulders, elbows, hips, legs, knees, hands, ankles, feet, and toes.
When Do I Need An X-Ray (Radiography)?
An X-ray test is performed to examine an area where the patient is experiencing pain or discomfort. It is also used to monitor the progression of a diagnosed disease, such as osteoporosis. Moreover, our doctors may use the test to check how well a prescribed treatment is working.
What Happens During The Test?
Based on the area of the body that’s being examined, doctors can take images while you stand up or lie down. The X-ray tube hangs over the table, and the film is in a drawer under the table. The X-ray machine sends a beam of radiation exposure through your body. Your hard, dense bones block that beam, so they show up as white on the film below you. The radiation also goes through softer tissue like muscle and fat, which appear in shades of gray in the X-ray. The air in your lungs will look black in the image. You won’t feel anything during the test, but it can be hard to hold still, and the exam table might be uncomfortable. Our technician may take images from a few different angles. He or she might use pillows or sandbags to prop up a body part to get a better view of the area. He or she will probably ask you to hold your breath so the image doesn’t blur. Sometimes, the doctor needs more contrast on the image to clearly see what’s going on. Therefore, we might give you a contrast agent, like barium or iodine. You’ll either swallow it or get it as a shot. The machine makes clicks and buzzing sounds during the procedure. The process could take just a few minutes for bones or more than an hour for more complicated issues. These images are digital, so a doctor can see them on a screen within minutes in an emergency. For nonemergencies, it may take a day or so for the doctor to review the X-ray and get back to you with the results.
Is It Safe?
X-rays are one of the oldest and most common forms of medical imaging. It uses a small amount of radiation dose. Ionizing radiation is electromagnetic radiation that acts by removing electrons from atoms and molecules of materials that include air, water, and living tissue. Doctors say the benefit of making the correct diagnosis outweighs the risks. However, there a few safety issues to consider.
Contact Us
Here at Berea Walk-in Clinic, we offer X-ray imaging tests without an appointment. Visit us at our location in Berea, KY, or call us at (859) 986-0375 if you have any questions.