X-ray examination is one of the most popular diagnostics. X-rays can be used to identify diseases of the lungs, spine or teeth. Despite the prevalence of x-rays, each of us has been scared since childhood that x-rays are dangerous due to radiation, and doing it is harmful to health. On the occasion of Radiologist's Day, which is celebrated around the world on November 8, doctors told RIAMO how dangerous x-rays really are and whether they should be afraid of them.
1. X-ray is dangerous due to radiation
There are two main myths about x-rays. The first is that x-rays are dangerous, as they create a high radiation zone, the second is that they are completely safe and can be done at the patient’s request, says Nikita Neverov, chief physician of the Medsi Clinical Hospital in Botkinsky Proezd.
“In fact, x-rays represent a specific source of radiation, radiation, which has its own measurable risks of disease. Even if you take an x-ray as prescribed by a doctor, radiation in small doses cannot be avoided,” explains the doctor.
The so-called “natural” radiation is measured in millisieverts (mSv) - this is a measure of dose during medical diagnostic procedures (fluoroscopy, x-ray computed tomography and others).
The most difficult type of examination, which has the greatest likelihood of radiation exposure, is computed tomography (CT). For example, a CT scan of the abdomen or pelvis provides radiation exposure of 20 millisieverts (mSv), the specialist clarifies. And the most common type of examination is a chest x-ray, which is approximately 0.1 mSv.
According to Neverov, there is evidence that the risk of radiation damage may arise if several computed tomography (CT) scans are performed in a row, for example, every other day. It is also dangerous if the tomography covers large areas of the human body.
2. X-rays cause cancer
Photo: flickr, The Mitzikin Revolution
The main thing that doctors are trying to study today is the possibility of a fatal risk of cancer during periodic X-ray examinations.
“Even if we take into account the frequency of CT scans, the risks of oncological processes during such studies are not as great as they say - about 1 in 1000 cases for CT scans with contrast,” the doctor notes.
With the most common X-ray - the chest - this figure is even lower - 1 case per million, the specialist adds.
If we talk about alternative research methods - ultrasound, MRI, etc. - they practically do not carry a radiation load, the doctor clarifies.
3. Natural radiation is not dangerous
According to Neverov, each person receives about 3 millisieverts of natural radiation from space during the year. For residents of high mountain areas, this dose is higher - approximately 4.5 mSv.
People who work in the sky - pilots, flight attendants and representatives of similar professions - are most exposed to radiation. But even if you are an ordinary passenger, then on every flight you receive 0.03 mSv of “natural radiation”.
4. X-rays are not suitable for everyone.
Another common myth about x-rays is that they cannot be done on all patients, as there are many contraindications.
As the chief physician of the diagnostic department of the Meditsina clinic, Oksana Platona, notes, there are no absolute contraindications for x-rays. For medical reasons, it can be done to all patients. A relative contraindication to X-ray examination can only be pregnancy, and not in all cases, the specialist notes.
5. After an x-ray, you need to remove radiation from the body
Photo: flickr,inesplicabile
Doctors agree that there are no special measures for rehabilitation after an x-ray. As Platonova notes, exposure to sources of ionizing radiation in small quantities occurs only during the study.
The main thing here is the existence of strict standards for conducting this type of examination, clarifies the head physician of Medsi. According to Neverov, the only thing that can be done after an x-ray to prevent possible negative consequences is to drink more fluid, since water helps the body cope with possible damage that has occurred or could arise from such a lesion.
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Belomyttseva Natalia Vladimirovna 5.11.2018Ornithologist N.V. Belomyttseva explains why birds need an x-ray, how to do it correctly, and why birds need x-rays every year.
Radiography in birds is a routine diagnostic procedure that is performed on the vast majority of birds presenting for appointments. Unlike cats and dogs, birds, even with a preventive annual examination, need to undergo this study, which often causes confusion among owners. Let's figure out why we need an x-ray of a bird and how to carry out this procedure correctly.
Purpose of radiographic examination in birds
The main purpose of radiographic examination in birds is to assess the condition of internal organs and systems.
In the image, we can evaluate not only the integrity of the bones and their density, anomalies and developmental features, but also the condition of the soft tissues: the location of the liver, heart, intestines, an increase or decrease in the size of a particular organ, changes in its shape and density.
In healthy birds, the air sacs and lungs are clearly visible, which are normally radiolucent (the lungs form a recognizable pattern). Considering that all birds living in captivity are at risk for respiratory diseases, assessing the state of the respiratory system is extremely important to preserve and maintain the health of our pets.
The information obtained from an x-ray allows us to identify the hidden course of most diseases, suggest a diagnosis and prescribe clarifying studies if necessary.
How to conduct an X-ray examination with maximum benefit and minimal risk for the bird?
How to X-ray a bird correctly?
Poultry examination must be carried out under sedation (anesthesia).
Of course, anesthetic risks do not go away, and it is impossible to guarantee that the animal will not suffer. But this risk is much less than when fixing and laying a bird without anesthesia. The heart rate in birds is very high (150-300 beats per minute in a calm state - this is the norm in small species), and under stress it can increase significantly, which leads to myocardial exhaustion and cardiac arrest (“death from cardiac rupture”, as can be found on the forums). This is especially true for small and impressionable birds.
Positioning the animal for the photograph forces the bird to be fixed in an unnatural and motionless state, which leads to additional psychological stress. As a result of such manipulations, completely tame birds may lose trust in the owner. It is not always possible to restore a warm relationship with a bird. This is especially true for long-lived large parrots.
When positioning, the bird may panic and begin to resist strongly, causing injury to itself and not allowing a high-quality (informative) photograph to be taken.
Routine radiographic examination is carried out in two layouts: dorsoventral (on the back, with outstretched wings and extended pelvic limbs) and laterolateral (on the side, wings retracted behind the back, pelvic limbs extended in a “step”).
Dorsoventral projection.
Laterolateral projection.
Pictures must be taken with maximum inspiration.
If the layout is violated, a slight turn or bend of the bird, the information content of the image is sharply reduced due to the overlap of organs with each other. We may misdiagnose a disease due to the resulting overlap or consider significant changes in the radiograph as an artifact.
Birds are animals that, due to their natural characteristics, tend to hide the symptoms of their illness until the last moment. If we see obvious signs of ill health in a bird, this already indicates an advanced stage of the disease. Therefore, it is especially important to pay attention to disease prevention. X-ray examination is the easiest and safest way to timely identify early symptoms of ill health in order to provide assistance before the bird becomes seriously ill. Remember that the diagnosis is made comprehensively, taking into account clinical, radiological and laboratory studies. A bird x-ray is not the answer to all questions, but it helps the doctor point in the right direction for diagnosis, avoiding ordering unnecessary tests.
In hospitals and clinics there is always an X-ray machine, with which you can study all human organs, learn about his osteo-articular system, etc. Most often, X-rays are used in traumatology and dentistry. What is an x-ray?
Most often, x-rays are used in traumatology and dentistry.
What is X-ray
X-rays are invisible electromagnetic radiation that penetrates all substances. the length of this wave is 8-10 cm. It affects the photographic film, causing it to blacken. If X-rays hit a person first and then hit the photographic film, it will display his internal structure. The use of this feature of rays has become widespread. How is this feature of X-rays used?
- In traumatology. Bones are not as transparent to X-rays as other organs, so they are clearly visible in the image. With this radiation it is easy to detect any fracture.
- In dentistry, for dental examination. In dental clinics, it is needed to find caries and abscesses that appear in the roots of teeth.
- Application for lung research. The famous fluorography, which is used to study the lungs, is also an x-ray.
- In industry. It is needed to find cracks in plastics, castings, and rubbers.
- In chemistry and physics. It is necessary for compound analysis. The rays pass through the chemical compound and cause a second radiation. By studying it, a chemist can tell about the composition of the compound. It is also needed for a detailed study of the structure of crystals.
- For the treatment of cancer. X-ray radiation successfully fights cancer cells, but also affects normal cells, so radiation is used with caution.
It was discovered by the German physicist W. Roentgen in 1895, and later other scientists continued his work.
How is an X-ray performed?
X-ray examination
Procedure
Many people know how an x-ray is done if they had to undergo treatment in a hospital. Up to 70% of all examinations are carried out using this equipment. Radiologists prepare the patient by wearing special aprons or collars that contain a lead plate to prevent harm to the body. It protects other organs from exposure to rays. Only the area that is examined by doctors is left open.
The patient at this moment is either standing or sitting. If it is necessary to take an X-ray of the spine, the person lies down. At the time of the examination, the doctor himself is located in the equipment room. The entire procedure takes no more than 10 minutes. How many times can this procedure be performed, is there a risk of radiation?
Number of studies
Many patients, not knowing how an x-ray is taken, believe that it is dangerous for humans; its negative effect on the body has already been proven. How many times a year can you undergo this procedure? No doctor will prescribe it unless necessary. The maximum permitted dose per year for humans is 150 millisieverts. But usually with standard procedures that have to be done every year, this dose does not exceed 15–20 millisieverts.
There are almost no contraindications to X-rays
There are almost no contraindications for this procedure. But if you are pregnant or obese, you should avoid it. The examination may harm the child. And if you are overweight, it is impossible to take a clear picture, because dark spots that appear due to excess fat interfere.
It is not customary for children under 16 years of age to have x-rays taken. But in case of fractures or other emergencies it is necessary. How much radiation can a child receive? This figure should not exceed 50 millisieverts per year. Before the procedure, the child is seated on special chairs and secured so that he does not move.
Are x-rays harmful?
Does X-ray radiation have an effect on health, the human body, is it dangerous? Yes, but only if this radiation is intense and the person immediately received a large dose. How much is a harmful dose?
How is it harmful?
After X-rays were discovered, many scientists conducted experiments on themselves. Not all of them ended happily. Thus, Professor Daniel and Doctor Dudley in February 1986 reported that after the experiments in Dudley, hair fell out. That same year, but a little later, in August, Dr. Hawkes reported that he received severe burns to his chest and arms after an X-ray. Information about the burns was confirmed by other scientists.
Children under 16 years old are given x-rays in case of fractures or other emergencies.
It has been established that X-ray radiation is dangerous to health and has a detrimental effect on the body. Its properties are such that it causes erythema - sunburn, which is particularly persistent and very deep. There are other health effects that appear some time after exposure:
- The composition of the blood changes. Short-term changes occur even after a small excess of radiation. But if there was prolonged exposure to these rays, the changes may be irreversible.
- Causes cancer.
- Early aging and death.
- Animal studies have also shown properties of X-rays that lead to mutations in offspring. They have the same effect on the human body.
- If men undergo frequent pelvic examinations, they become infertile.
These consequences cannot but be alarming. The influence of X-ray radiation is dangerous to human health, so it is surprising that the use of these devices in medicine is so widespread. Let's figure out why doctors are not afraid of these properties of radiation, their effect on the human body, is it possible to undergo research?
Why shouldn't you be afraid of x-rays?
The influence of X-ray equipment cannot be denied, it exists, but should we be afraid of it, is X-ray harmful, is it dangerous?
Solar flares are one of the sources of “natural” radiation background
Natural radiation
We are afraid of radiation, exposure, because we have heard a lot about the effect it has on the human body. Only 30% of radiation a person receives from artificial radiation objects, and the remaining 70% are natural sources of radiation and exposure. A significant dose of radiation is radon, a gas that is always present in rocks.
There is a dose of radiation and exposure in the world's oceans or the human body - this is potassium 40. If you live next to a nuclear power plant or an enterprise that works with nuclear energy, then the dose of radiation and exposure increases by 1%. Don't forget about cosmic radiation.
Every day a person receives his portion of radiation, exposure; in some countries where there are a lot of rocks, the dose is 3–5 times higher than in other places (Sweden, France, Finland). But despite this, no surge in diseases has been noticed in these countries. The population here gets sick no more often than in other regions, and some areas are even considered recognized resorts.
How much natural radiation does the human body receive per year? In our country this is 2 mSv, and the world average is 2.4 mSv per year. If the patient undergoes medical examinations, then another 1 mSv per year must be added to this figure, i.e., on average, about 3.4 mSv per year.
When undergoing an X-ray examination, a person receives a small load on the body, especially if the latest equipment was used, which has a minimal radiation dose. Therefore, examinations can and should be done, but not too often.
Is the dose of X-ray radiation dangerous?
Mild radiation sickness occurs if the human body was exposed to a load of 2–4 mSv. To reach this figure, you need to take 100 dental photographs in one day. The maximum dose of radiation, which does not exceed the norm, is given only to those patients who have experienced severe injuries or accidents, and therefore require constant monitoring. How dangerous is this?
What is the lethal dose of X-ray radiation? If a person receives a dose of 3–5 Sv (not to be confused with mSv), he will die within one or two months after exposure due to bone marrow damage. If this lethal dose is 10 Sv, then he will die in 10 -20 days due to problems in the lungs and gastrointestinal tract. If the lethal dose is more than 15 Sv, then he will die in 1–5 days due to damage to the nervous system. But such a lethal dose is nonsense; when examining the lungs, the dose received is no higher than 0.03 mSv.
How to remove radiation
If a person is healthy, then after an x-ray examination there is no need to do anything, its influence is minimal and it is not dangerous. But if you have to be a frequent visitor to the X-ray room every year, it is necessary to reduce the impact of radiation on human health.
Proper nutrition will help remove radiation:
Milk and dairy products help fight small doses of radiation. To remove radiation, drink freshly squeezed juices with pulp. You can use any fruits and vegetables, but pomegranate and red grape juice are especially beneficial. Eat iodine-containing foods (seaweed, fish, etc.). Cottage cheese, rice, prunes are useful.
The listed products help remove radiation. But before the procedure, it is better not to eat foods that accumulate radionuclides: jellied meat, boiled eggs and bone broth. Although even with such nutrition, undergoing this procedure
Many people wonder why they should undergo an X-ray examination if they feel healthy? As a rule, for preventive purposes, fluorography is not prescribed for lung x-rays. This study does not contradict existing sanitary standards, and when using the latest equipment, radiation doses are minimal and do not pose a threat to human health.
Unfortunately, many clinics still use old equipment due to insufficient funding, but even in this case it is safe to undergo fluorography once a year.
The date and result of the annual fluorographic examination are entered in the patient’s outpatient card, as well as in his health record. The resulting image must be saved so that in case of illness, the doctor can compare the results of the studies and correctly diagnose changes in the lungs.
If tuberculosis or other diseases, including cancer, are suspected, the patient will still be sent for a chest x-ray to obtain more detailed results, since fluorography shows only a general picture of the condition of the chest organs.
People at risk, for example, those suffering from severe chronic diseases, diabetes, stomach ulcers, HIV, should also undergo a fluorographic examination every six months.
The same requirements apply to persons serving sentences in prison. A preventive examination of the lungs is mandatory for conscripts into the ranks of the armed forces, regardless of the statute of limitations of the previous examination.
If a person does not belong to a risk group - does not work in hazardous work, eats well and leads a healthy lifestyle (does not smoke), then a preventive examination can be done once a year or once every two years.
Fluorography is contraindicated for children under 15 years of age and pregnant women. But nursing mothers can do it. For small children, the doctor may prescribe an x-ray, while the baby’s body is shielded from the rays, leaving only the area that needs to be photographed.
The site provides reference information for informational purposes only. Diagnosis and treatment of diseases must be carried out under the supervision of a specialist. All drugs have contraindications. Consultation with a specialist is required!