Understanding X-Rays: Benefits, Risks & Safety Precautions

X-ray technology creates images of your body through electromagnetic radiation. Doctors use X-rays to look for tumors, broken bones, infections, and lung and digestive tract problems. Although X-rays can help doctors diagnose and treat medical conditions, they also increase your risk of eventually developing cancer.

Features

• X-ray energy is composed of radiation, which passes through your body. Repeated or high exposure to X-ray radiation can change how your body cells divide, causing diseases, such as cancer. However, each individual X-ray exposes you to a very small dose of radiation.

Considerations

• People are constantly exposed to low levels of radiation from naturally occurring radon gas, airplane flights and other sources. According to Radiology Info, one chest X-ray provides the same amount of radiation exposure that an average person would encounter naturally during 10 days.

Safety

• Keep track of your X-ray examinations, especially if you have frequently had X-rays or if you switch healthcare providers often. Tell your doctor if you have had many X-rays in the past. In addition, always tell your doctor if you may be pregnant before having an X-ray, since X-rays may damage a developing fetus.