How to Understand X-Rays
March 6, 2020
Whether you've recently suffered an injury or you've been handling the ailments of a chronic condition, it can be tough to know exactly what some of your scans say about the current state of your health. X-ray results are no exception here. So what can you do to better understand your x-rays the next time you need to have them done? Here are a few simple tips to make things a bit easier on you and your family members when it comes to understanding x-rays.
Learn How X-rays Work
Did you know that data from the 2014 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) revealed that 8.4% of U.S. children suffered from hay fever, 10% from respiratory allergies, 5.4% from food allergies, and 11.6% from skin allergies? With these numbers, it's easy to see just how far medical technology has improved to meet the needs of patients. Medical technology is quite an astounding field of study and application. With all the advances in modern medical technology, it's easy to walk into a doctor's office, urgent care center, or hospital environment and feel instantly out of your element. When it comes to getting x-rays performed, it helps to learn a little bit about what you're dealing with before you get too worried, however. After all, there's no sense in making yourself feel worse when you've visited a facility that is trying to make you healthy!
X-ray technology makes use of electromagnetic radiation to produce an image on a screen after the x-ray machine has made contact with the skin. This technology is incredibly helpful for examining bones, tissues, and other parts of the body that are otherwise difficult to see. There are many different reasons why you or someone in your family may need an x-ray performed in the first place. Everything from broken bones to toothaches may require the use of an x-ray machine. It's helpful to understand that x-ray technology is quite a common fixture in modern hospitals and it is safe.
Talk to Your Doctor First
As with any other kind of medical procedure, it's a good idea to have a discussion with your doctor before having any sort of x-ray procedure performed. A lot of times you can clear away any confusion and learn about the exact ways in which an x-ray can help the medical staff to better understand and treat whatever problem you're dealing with. Maintaining open lines of communication with your primary care physician is one of the best ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle. If you find yourself feeling apprehensive about having an x-ray done, it's okay to share this information with a healthcare professional as well. Staying on top of your lines of communication with medical staff will make things go that much smoother for everyone involved.
Don't Be Afraid to Ask Questions!
Cultivating the ability to have agency of your own healthcare is one of the primary keys to staying healthy. Even if you receive information from a doctor or medical professional, it's not always easy to interpret exactly what it means for the health of you and your family. For this reason, it's a good idea to prepare yourself to ask questions when you receive x-rays or any other form of diagnostic work. It's far better to get any questions out of the way while you're there in the doctor's office, rather than going home and worrying about something all day and night. The good news is that most medical professionals are used to addressing patient questions and should have no trouble making sure that you leave the office feeling confident and assured in your lab results, treatment process, and ongoing care.
Getting x-rays done can be a scary and confusing process sometimes. At Centric Urgent Care we are happy to offer a wide range of medical treatments that are sure to keep you and your family healthy. Whether you're dealing with flu symptoms, looking for weight loss strategies, or helping your child handle the challenges presented by school anxiety, our team of experienced professionals is here to help you at every step of the way. Not sure how to schedule your first appointment? Just looking for some more information before you commit? No problem. Don't hesitate to reach out and get in touch with a member of our team today. We'd be happy to help address any issues or concerns that you may have, either for your own health or for your family's health. We can't wait to talk to you!
