X-Rays are the building blocks of medical imaging, and have been a crucial part of diagnostic medicine for more than a century. X-Rays are an easy and efficient way for doctors to look at the body's internal structures.

X-Rays have the ability to pass through material that normal light cannot penetrate, including the human body. These images reveal different areas of the anatomy in shades of gray. Contrasting agents, liquids designed to enhance these shades of gray, are used in some x-ray exams.

Able to image the body from head to toe, X-Rays are used to see skeletal structures as well as kidneys, the bladder, lungs, and heart.

Getting Ready For an X-Ray
Most conventional x-rays do not require any patient preparation except for removing personal effects that may interfere with the x-ray beams like clothing and jewelry.

During a bone x-ray, you may be asked to hold your breath for a few seconds and remain very still. A barium enema examination of the large intestine requires that you not eat certain foods 2 days before the exam. On the eve of the test, you must maintain a liquid diet. We will inform you of any type of preparation at the time your exam is scheduled. If you have questions about what you need to do, please give our office a call.

Feel free to call us if you have concerns about getting an x-ray. We will be able to put your mind at ease and help you better understand the necessity of the procedure.

The Test
During an x-ray procedure you will not be able to feel or see the radiation pass through your body. Do not let the word radiation frighten you, the human body is exposed to radiation everyday from the sun and other heat sources. The ionizing radiation is generally delivered in small doses during an x-ray. During the exam you may wear a lead apron that can absorb some x-rays and shield areas of the body that are not being imaged. Women who are pregnant or suspect that they may be pregnant should not undergo x-ray exams unless in an extreme emergency.

After the Test
After your x-ray exam you may resume your normal daily activities.