The History, Risks and Benefits of X-rays

 

Could you name one medical invention that has saved millions (if not billions) of lives over the past 100 years? Well, I could give you one item – X-rays!Yes, since it was first utilized to image bones over 100 years ago, the x-ray Mackay has helped save lives, and has helped bring forth an amazing array of discoveries too. Let's look at a brief yet interesting look at the history, risks and benefits of X-rays. 

Who discovered the X-Ray?

According to medical historians, a physics professor in Wurzburg, Bavaria in Germany named Wilhelm Roentgen discovered the X-ray in 1895. He actually discovered this by accident, while doing a test on whether cathode rays could pass through glass. 

Through further experimentation, Wilhelm Roentgen discovered that the mysterious light would pass through most substances, but leave shadows in solid objects. And, since he did not know what the rays actually were, he called them “X-rays”, which meant unknown rays. The first individual to receive an x-ray Mackay  for medical treatment was a guy named Eddie McCarthy in Hanover, who fractured his left wrist while skating on the Connecticut River in 1896. 

The Different Types of X-Rays

To produce a conventional X-ray image, the patient (or a certain par of their body) is placed in front of an X-ray detector and illuminated by short X-ray pulses., And, since the bones in our body are rich in calcium (Which has a high atomic number!)  the X-rays are then absorbed and appear white on the resulting image. 

The most familiar type of X-ray imaging is radiography, which is used to image broken teeth and bones, as well as the chest. Radiography uses the least amounts of radiation. The second type of x-ray Mackay technology is called Fluoroscopy, wherein the radiologist can watch the X-ray of the patient moving in real time and can take snapshots. 

The next type of CT, or computed tomography, wherein the patient lies on a table and enters a ring-shaped scanner. A fan-shaped beam of X-rays then pass through the patient onto a series of detectors, and then the patient moves slowly into the machine so that a series of slices or photos can be taken to create a 3D image. CT scans use the highest doses of X-rays because of the larger images that are taken in one sitting.  

The Risks & Benefits of X-rays

Now, let’s weigh the pros and cons of using an x-ray Mackay scanner.  First, some argue  that X-rays can mutate our DNA, and eventually lead to cancer later in life. In the US, at least 0.4% of cancers are caused by CT scans,  of which scientists expect this to grow as 60 million plus CT scans are carried out in the US each year. 

However, most health experts stress that the fact that X-rays have been used in medicine for a significant amount of time already, it just shows how beneficial they really are. In truth, an  x-ray Mackay scanner is  non-invasive, which means there's no need to physically enter and examine a patient. 

X-rays also help guide medical professionals as they insert stents, catheters and other devices inside patients. They can even show a pathology or feature that's different from the initial diagnosis (Like gas, fluid or bone infections in areas where there should have been none!). 

Basic Facts about an Ultrasound Procedure

 Have you ever undergone a medical procedure or test called an  - ultrasound? Well, if you haven't yet, and then congratulate yourself for you're not experiencing something that is detrimental to your health. But, if your doctor requires you to undergo an ultrasound, then be grateful because the procedure can be very helpful in evaluating your medical condition. Read on to learn more about basic facts about ultrasound Mackay procedures.

What's an Ultrasound?

According to health experts, an ultrasound Mackay  is a medical exam which utilizes high-frequency sound waves to capture or produce live images from inside of the human body. The process is also known as sonography.

The technology used in ultrasound is also similar to that used by sonar and radar, which is of great help to the military in detecting enemy planes and ships. An ultrasound allows doctors to determine if there are problems or issues with organs, vessels and tissues without the need to make an incision. The best thing about an ultrasound is that it uses no radiation, which makes it the preferred method for viewing a fetus during pregnancy.

Why it's Performed

An ultrasound Mackay is usually performed not just to check if a woman is pregnant or not. In fact, doctors may order ultrasound scans if the person is having pain, swelling or other symptoms which need an internal view of their organs.

The ultrasound can provide patients and doctors with a clear view of the bladder, eyes, gall bladder, kidneys, liver, ovaries, pancreas, spleen, thyroid, testicles, uterus, blood vessels and the brain (But only in infants). 

How to Prepare for the Procedure

To prepare for an ultrasound Mackay , the patient will be asked by the doctor to fast for 8 to 12 hours before the procedure, especially if their abdomen is going to be examined. Undigested food can often block sound waves, and make it hard for technicians to get a better picture or image of the area.

For examining the gall bladder, liver, pancreas and spleen, the patient could be advised to eat a fat-free meal the night before the procedure, and then fast until the time of the examination. However, the patient could still drink water or take any medication as instructed. Patients are required to tell their doctor about the use of over-the-counter medications, prescription drugs, or herbal supplements. 

Before the ultrasound Mackay  is performed,  the patient will be asked to change into a hospital gown, and will be asked to lie down on a table with a section of their body exposed for the test. An ultrasound technician will then apply a special lubricating jelly to the skin, and then rubs an ultrasound transducer on the area to be scanned.

The jelly helps transmit sound waves to the transducer, which then sends high-frequency sound waves throughout the body. The sound waves then echo as they hit a dense object, like a bone or organ.

The echoes are then sent to a computer, which eventually form an image which can be interpreted by a doctor. Depending on the area that's examined, the patient may need to change positions so that the technician can have a better access of the area.