About X-rays
An X-ray is one of the different forms of radiant energy, just akin to radio waves or light waves. However, x-rays hold the potential to pass through the body that helps the radiologist take out images of internal body parts. These images are visible on a TV or computer screen or on a photographic film.
With x-ray examinations, it becomes possible for the doctor to retrieve important information about a patient's health and injury. This further helps him diagnose the specific condition the patient is suffering from. A few cases involve using x-rays to help doctors position a device like a tube in the body or for some other therapeutic procedures.
Radiation dosage assessment
The scientific unit of radiation dosage assessment or measurement is millisievert (mSv), which is generally dubbed effective dose. There are other units for measurement of radiation doses such as roentgen, sievert, rad, gray and rem.
The human body is made up of different organs and tissues, all of which respond in their own way to the x-rays. Thus, the word effective dose is used in regard to radiation risk faced all together by the body. This term refers collectively to the different sensitivities of different body tissues exposed to the radiation. Besides, the doctor is able to calculate the risk, thereby comparing the same to similar exposure sources, including radiographic medical procedures and natural background radiation.
Natural background exposure to radiation
To your surprise, we are exposed to some kind of natural radiation all the time. Analysts say that an average person is vulnerable to some 3 mSv effective dose every year in the US. And these doses from natural sources may vary from person to person and region to region around the country. Altitude is a great factor, but radon gas in homes acts as the biggest source exposing people to background radiation dose.
This is clearly visible on comparison of radiation dose exposure from a chest x-ray with that from natural sources in a period of 10 days or so.
X-ray safety
Similar to other procedures in the medicine industry, x-ray examinations prove to be highly safe when conducted and handled with complete care. The medical industry is equipped with trained professionals and radiologists, who along with experienced x-ray technologists are well-versed with how to expose the patient minimum radiation dose while acquiring the desired results.
Doctors or radiologists are knowledgeable enough to carry out the imaging procedures in a proper and efficient manner, which could expose the patient to least possible risks. They are also well aware that the procedures must only be conducted when suggested by clinical procedures and norms.
Most of the x-ray examinations are made in a way that they expose patients to the minimum possible amount of radiation. In fact, the benefits they provide to the patient overdo the risks they impose in all.
X-ray images come out only when the switch is turned on the x-ray machine. Once this switch is turned off, radiation becomes zero.
An X-ray is one of the different forms of radiant energy, just akin to radio waves or light waves. However, x-rays hold the potential to pass through the body that helps the radiologist take out images of internal body parts. These images are visible on a TV or computer screen or on a photographic film.
With x-ray examinations, it becomes possible for the doctor to retrieve important information about a patient's health and injury. This further helps him diagnose the specific condition the patient is suffering from. A few cases involve using x-rays to help doctors position a device like a tube in the body or for some other therapeutic procedures.
Radiation dosage assessment
The scientific unit of radiation dosage assessment or measurement is millisievert (mSv), which is generally dubbed effective dose. There are other units for measurement of radiation doses such as roentgen, sievert, rad, gray and rem.
The human body is made up of different organs and tissues, all of which respond in their own way to the x-rays. Thus, the word effective dose is used in regard to radiation risk faced all together by the body. This term refers collectively to the different sensitivities of different body tissues exposed to the radiation. Besides, the doctor is able to calculate the risk, thereby comparing the same to similar exposure sources, including radiographic medical procedures and natural background radiation.
Natural background exposure to radiation
To your surprise, we are exposed to some kind of natural radiation all the time. Analysts say that an average person is vulnerable to some 3 mSv effective dose every year in the US. And these doses from natural sources may vary from person to person and region to region around the country. Altitude is a great factor, but radon gas in homes acts as the biggest source exposing people to background radiation dose.
This is clearly visible on comparison of radiation dose exposure from a chest x-ray with that from natural sources in a period of 10 days or so.
X-ray safety
Similar to other procedures in the medicine industry, x-ray examinations prove to be highly safe when conducted and handled with complete care. The medical industry is equipped with trained professionals and radiologists, who along with experienced x-ray technologists are well-versed with how to expose the patient minimum radiation dose while acquiring the desired results.
Doctors or radiologists are knowledgeable enough to carry out the imaging procedures in a proper and efficient manner, which could expose the patient to least possible risks. They are also well aware that the procedures must only be conducted when suggested by clinical procedures and norms.
Most of the x-ray examinations are made in a way that they expose patients to the minimum possible amount of radiation. In fact, the benefits they provide to the patient overdo the risks they impose in all.
X-ray images come out only when the switch is turned on the x-ray machine. Once this switch is turned off, radiation becomes zero.
