A Mackay X-ray is a typical X-ray
procedure to produce images of the structures inside your body particularly
your bones. These rays pass through your body and they are absorbed in
different amounts depending on the density of the material they pass through.
Dense
materials like bones and metal will appear white on X-rays, while the air in
your lungs will show as black. Fats and muscles appear in several shades of
gray. In some x-ray tests, a contrast medium like iodine or barium is
introduced into the body to give greater details on the images.
The
images produced are then used to view the insides of the body without having to
make an incision (cut). The result can help medical authorities to diagnose, monitor,
and treat many medical conditions.
Performing X-ray
Your
doctor can order an X-ray procedure to examine an area where you are
experiencing pain or discomfort (broken bones), monitoring the progress of a
diagnosed disease (osteoporosis) or checking how a treatment is progressing.
There
are several conditions that doctors order Mackay x-ray procedures. These would include
bone cancer, breast tumors, enlarged heart, blocked blood vessels and
conditions that affect your lungs.
Also
included are digestive problems, fractures, infections, osteoporosis,
arthritis, tooth decay, or perhaps the need to retrieve swallowed objects.
Potential side effects
Small
amounts of radiation are used to create images of your body. This presents some
risks to some people, but mostly the level of radiation exposure is considered safe
for most adults, although not to a developing baby.
Pregnant
women or those who believe they are pregnant need to tell their doctor. The
doctor will advise on the use of MRI, a different method of imaging, instead of
the X-ray.
If you
are diagnosed or is managing a painful condition, (a broken bone, for instance),
you may experience pain or discomfort during the test. You will to hold your body in certain
positions while the images are being taken. (Doctors sometimes prescribe pain
medicines before undergoing the procedure.)
Contrast materials
If you
took some contrast material (iodine, barium) before your X-ray procedure, there
might be side effects. These include hives, itching, feeling of warmth or
flushing, nausea, light-headedness and a metallic taste in your mouth.
In very
rare cases, the contract materials used as dye for greater detail on the images
can cause severe reaction. These can include low blood pressure and cardiac
arrest where a doctor is needed.
Uses
This
old technology is still used and very effective in diagnosing several body
illnesses and conditions. In most cases, fractures and infections in bones and
teeth show very clearly on X-ray.
The procedure
done on joints can reveal signs of arthritis and taken over the years, doctors
can help in determining if your arthritis is worsening. In dentistry, X-rays
are used to take pictures of the teeth and jaw to check on cavities.
Chest
X-rays are used in checking for evidence of tuberculosis, pneumonia or lung
cancer. Enlarged hearts show up clearly on chest x-rays. Changes in the blood
flow to the heart and lungs also show up clearly.
