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Introduction
An X-ray is a safe and painless procedure that's often used to produce images of the inside of the
body.
It's a very effective way of looking at fractured bones, such as a broken arm or wrist.
X-rays can also be used to examine organs and identify problems. For example, an X-ray can highlight a lung
infection, such as pneumonia.
They are also often used by surgeons during therapeutic procedures, such as a coronary angioplasty, to help
guide equipment to the area being treated.
Read more about when X-rays are used.
Having an X-ray
X-rays are carried out by radiographers, who are healthcare professionals trained to use imaging technology,
including X-ray machines, computerised tomography (CT) scanners and ultrasound scanners.
During an X-ray, you'll be asked to lie on a table or stand against a flat surface so that the part of your body being
examined is positioned between the X-ray machine and a photographic plate.
The X-ray will last for a fraction of a second. As the X-rays hit the photographic plate, the plate will capture a
snapshot of the image.
The image will then be transferred to a computer so that it can be studied on a screen and, if necessary, printed
out.
Read more about how an X-ray is taken.
Safety
Exposure to high levels of radiation can be very harmful. However, the X-rays used for medical purposes are safe
because the dose of radiation is very small.
The strength of radiation in relation to long-term risk is measured using units called millisieverts (mSv). Some
examples of typical exposures are:
In the UK, 20 mSv is the maximum that someone who works with radiation is allowed to be exposed to in any
given year. Most workers receive considerably less than this.
Read more about the risks of X-rays.
X-rays are a safe and effective method of capturing images of the body's organs and
bones
X-rays are also sometimes used during investigative or therapeutic procedures to help the surgeon guide
equipment to the area being examined or treated.
For example, X-rays are often used during a coronary angioplasty, where a catheter (a long, thin, flexible tube) is
Chest examination
Major organs and blood vessels don't show up as clearly on X-rays as bones, but they are visible. A chest X-ray is
therefore a good way of identifying changes or abnormalities in your heart, lungs and major arteries.
In particular, chest X-rays can help diagnose:
heart conditions such as heart failure, congenital heart disease and pericarditis (inflammation of the
heart lining)
lung conditions such as pneumonia, lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Contrast medium
Contrast medium is liquid that contains dye. It's sometimes swallowed or injected before an X-ray is taken and
shows up clearly in white, helping to distinguish between different structures in the body.
Contrast medium is usually harmless and passes out of the body in your urine or faeces. However, in rare cases
it can cause an allergic reaction. Make sure you tell the radiologist if you've had an allergic reaction to iodine or
contrast medium in the past, or if you have any other allergies.
Types of X-ray
There are various ways that X-rays can be used to investigate different parts of the body. These are described
below.
Barium swallow
Barium is a type of contrast medium that you may be given in a solution to drink. After the barium has passed into
your upper digestive system, a series of X-rays will be taken.
A barium swallow can be used to diagnose problems with the upper digestive system, such as swallowing
problems (dysphagia) and persistent symptoms of abdominal pain.
Barium enema
A barium enema involves barium solution being pumped through your anus (back passage) and into your bowel.
Barium enemas can be used to diagnose bowel problems, such as persistent constipation and blood in your
faeces (stools).
Angiography
Angiography is a type of X-ray used to examine blood vessels. The images created during angiography are
called angiograms.
As blood vessels don't show up clearly on ordinary X-rays, contrast medium is injected into the area being
examined. The dye highlights the blood vessels as it moves through them, showing up in white on the angiogram.
Studying the movement of the dye through a blood vessel can often highlight problems, such as blockages.
Less commonly, angiographies are also carried out using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computerised
tomography (CT) techniques.
Intravenous urogram (IVU)
During an intravenous urogram (IVU), contrast medium is injected into your veins.
Iodine solution is usually used, which moves into your kidneys and bladder. X-rays of your kidneys and bladder will
then be taken.
IVU is often used to diagnose problems with the urinary system.
technology such as X-ray machines, computerised tomography (CT) scanners and ultrasound scanners.
Risks of an X-ray
People are often concerned about being exposed to radiation during an X-ray. However, everyone is
exposed to sources of natural radiation throughout their life.
Natural radiation is sometimes known as background radiation. Sources of background radiation include:
radon a naturally occurring radioactive gas found in low levels in the atmosphere
cosmic rays a type of radiation that originates from space (from the sun and stars)
the earth soil and rocks contain various radioactive materials that have been present since the earth was
formed; these contribute to our exposure, as do building materials made from soil, rocks and stones
food and water for example, nuts, bananas, red meat and potatoes all contain tiny traces of radiation
Cancer risk
Being exposed to X-rays carries a theoretical risk of triggering cancer at a later date, as does exposure to
background radiation.
However, this risk is very low. For example, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) has calculated that:
an X-ray of your chest, teeth, arms or feet is the equivalent of a few days' worth of background radiation,
and has a less than 1 in 1,000,000 chance of causing cancer
an X-ray of your skull or neck is the equivalent of a few weeks' worth of background radiation, and has
a 1 in 100,000-1,000,000 chance of causing cancer
an X-ray of your breasts (mammogram), hip, spine, abdomen or pelvis is the equivalent of a few
months' to a year's worth of background radiation, and has a 1 in 10,000-100,000 chance of causing cancer
an X-ray that uses a contrast fluid, such as a barium meal, is the equivalent of a few years' worth of
background radiation, and has a 1 in 1,000-10,000 chance of causing cancer
It's important to put the risk of developing cancer from X-rays into perspective. More than one in three people in
the UK will develop some form of cancer during their lifetime.
Your risk of developing cancer depends on many factors, including your age, lifestyle and genetic make-up.
You can read more about your lifetime risk of developing cancer on the Cancer Research UK website.
recommended.
Before having an X-ray, you may be asked about the date of your last period. This is to check whether there's
a chance that you could be pregnant.
Don't panic if you have an X-ray and later discover that you're pregnant. Even the most powerful types of X-rays,
such as a barium enema, aren't thought to have any adverse effects on the outcome of a pregnancy.