X-Ray

It is a very effective way to diagnose a lot of medical conditions. It is most commonly used to determine bone fractures or other bone conditions, however, it can also be used to determine other health problems.

How does it work?

It involves exposing the part of the body that needs to be examined. The person could either, sit, lie down or stand in front of the X-ray machine. The procedure is painless and it takes only a few seconds. You may be asked to change positions so the radiographist could take X-ray images of the same body part from a different angle.
If you are having an X-ray with contrast dye, the procedure will imply for you to add either drink or be injected with dye before the test.

What are the risks? 

• X-ray is not recommended during pregnancy. When an emergency occurs, the stomach will be covered with a special protective apron.
• Discomfort and pain of the fractured limb during the procedure.

There can be some adverse effects from the contrast dye (usually iodine):

• Allergic reaction to the iodine;
• Hives;
• Itching;
• Nausea;
• Metallic taste in the mouth.

How to prepare for the procedure?

There is no special preparation for the procedure. You can eat, drink and take your medications as usual, except:

• The region that needs to be X-rayed has to be clothes-free, including removing any jewelry that covers the body part;
• In preparation for the X-ray with contrast dye, used to determine afflictions of the internal organs, you are not supposed to eat anything in the evening and the morning before the procedure.

How long does the procedure take?

The procedure takes seconds, and the results are usually given in a short period (the same day), depending on the Radiography Department schedule.

How to recover after the procedure?

If you had a simple X-ray test there is no special recovery. 
If you had an X-ray with contrast dye, you should drink plenty of water after the test to speed up the elimination of the dye from your body.