X ray

X-rays, or plain radiographs, are a way for providers to get pictures of the inside of your body. X-rays use radiation to create black-and-white images that a radiologist reads. X-rays are most commonly used to look at bones and joints, but providers can use them to quickly diagnose other conditions, like lung infections, too.

X ray

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© 2024 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK. All rights reserved. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. Healthline Media is an RVO Health Company. Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. See additional information.

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Test Details

How do X-rays work?

X-rays work by sending beams of radiation through your body to create images on an X-ray detector nearby. Radiation beams are invisible, and you can’t feel them.

As the beams go through your body, bones, soft tissues and other structures absorb radiation in different ways. Solid or dense objects (such as bones) absorb radiation easily, so they appear bright white on the image. Soft tissues (such as organs) don’t absorb radiation as easily, so they appear in shades of gray on the X-ray.

A radiologist interprets the image and writes a report for the physician who ordered the X-ray, noting if there’s anything in the image that’s abnormal or concerning.

How do I prepare for an X-ray?

Preparation for an X-ray depends on the type of X-ray you’re getting. Your provider may ask you to:

  • Avoid using lotions, creams or perfume. These can cause shadows on your X-rays and make the results inaccurate.
  • Remove metal objects like jewelry, hairpins or hearing aids. Metal can interfere with X-rays and make the results inaccurate.
  • Stop eating or drinking several hours beforehand.
  • Wear comfortable clothing or change into a gown before the X-ray.

Tell your healthcare provider about your health history, allergies and any medications you’re taking. If you’re pregnant, think you might be pregnant or are breastfeeding (chestfeeding), tell your provider before getting an X-ray. If you’re getting an X-ray with contrast, let your provider know if you have a kidney condition.

What can I expect during an X-ray?

The exact steps of an X-ray depend on what kind of X-ray you’re getting. In general, during an X-ray your provider will:

  1. Give you contrast medium (if necessary) through an injection or enema, or have you swallow it. You may feel flushed or warm for a little while after an IV injection of dye. Some people get a metallic taste in their mouth. These side effects go away in a few minutes.
  2. Ask you to sit, stand or lie down on a table. In the past, your provider may have covered you with a heavy lead shield (apron), but new evidence suggests that they aren’t necessary.
  3. Position the camera near the body part that they’re getting a picture of.
  4. Move your body or limbs in different positions and ask you to hold still. They may also ask you to hold your breath for a few seconds so the images aren’t blurry.

Sometimes children can’t stay still long enough to produce clear images. Your child’s provider may recommend using a restraint during an X-ray. The restraint (or immobilizer) helps your child stay still and reduces the need for retakes. The restraints don’t hurt and won’t harm your child.

What happens after an X-ray?

Most of the time, there aren’t any restrictions on what you can do after an X-ray. If you received contrast medium, your provider might give you special instructions, like drinking plenty of water afterwards.

What are the risks or side effects of X-rays?

X-rays are generally safe and low-risk. Some people have side effects from contrast dye, which may include:

  • Nausea or vomiting.
  • Stomach cramps or diarrhea.
  • Headaches.

There’s a small risk of an allergic reaction to the contrast material. People who have allergies or asthma are more likely to have an allergic reaction to contrast dye. Talk to your provider about your risk of a reaction, and call them right away if you have unusual symptoms after an X-ray with contrast.

Although X-rays use radiation (which can cause cancer and other health problems), you’re exposed to a very small amount during a plain radiograph — usually not much more than you’d get just from naturally occurring radiation you’re exposed to in your daily life (background radiation). For instance, a chest X-ray exposes you to about 10 days’ worth of background radiation. A dental X-ray exposes you to about one day of background radiation.

X-rays in pregnancy

While the amount of radiation exposure to an adult during an X-ray isn’t usually harmful, it can harm a fetus. If you’re pregnant, your provider may choose another imaging study, such as MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) or ultrasound.

X ray

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© 2024 Healthline Media LLC. All rights reserved. Healthline Media is an RVO Health Company. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. See additional information.

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X ray

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X ray

Covid-19

Respiratory viruses continue to circulate in Maryland, so masking remains strongly recommended when you visit Johns Hopkins Medicine clinical locations in Maryland. To protect your loved one, please do not visit if you are sick or have a COVID-19 positive test result. Get more resources on masking and COVID-19 precautions.

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X-Ray Results

A radiologist will look at your X-rays. A radiologist is a medical doctor who is specially trained in reading and understanding the results of imaging scans like X-rays. X-ray images are digital, so a radiologist can see them on a screen within minutes in an emergency. For nonemergencies, it may take a day or so for them to review the X-ray and get back to you with the results.

X-rays are one of the oldest and most common forms of medical imaging. Doctors say the benefit of making the correct diagnosis outweighs the risks. Still, there are a few safety issues to consider.

  1. Slightcancerrisk. Too much radiation exposure can cause cancer, but the amount in an X-ray is generally low. Adults are less sensitive to radiation than children.
  2. Kids and X-rays. If your child needs an X-ray, the technician may restrain them to make sure they stay still. This will prevent the need for repeated tries. It won’t hurt them. If you stay in the room with them, you’ll get a lead apron to wear to prevent radiation exposure.
  3. Pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you’re pregnant or think you might be. They may use a different imaging test so your baby isn’t exposed to radiation.
  4. Reaction to contrast agent. There’s a chance you could have an allergic reaction, but it’s rare. Ask your doctor what symptoms to watch for. Let them know if you have pain, swelling, or redness at the site of the shot.

X ray

Covid-19

Respiratory viruses continue to circulate in Maryland, so masking remains strongly recommended when you visit Johns Hopkins Medicine clinical locations in Maryland. To protect your loved one, please do not visit if you are sick or have a COVID-19 positive test result. Get more resources on masking and COVID-19 precautions.

  • Vaccines
  • Masking Guidelines
  • Visitor Guidelines

Test Details

A chest X-ray produces pictures of the structures inside your chest cavity, like your bones, lungs and heart.

How does a chest X-ray (CXR) work?

Your body’s tissues vary in thickness. When radiation passes through your body, each structure allows a different amount of radiation to pass through.

For example, your bones are very thick and don’t allow much radiation to pass through. Bones look white on an X-ray image. Your lungs, however, allow more radiation through. Your lungs look gray on an X-ray image.

Healthcare providers look at the colors and shading on an X-ray to diagnose and treat health conditions.

How do I prepare for a chest X-ray (CXR)?

Chest X-rays require little to no preparation. When you get ready for your appointment, wear loose, comfortable clothing that doesn’t contain metal (zippers, snaps, bra closures) and leave jewelry at home.

If you have body piercings, ask your X-ray center for specific instructions. Body jewelry can interfere with clear images. You may need to remove them.

What to expect during a chest X-ray (CXR)

A radiology technologist will take your chest X-ray. These healthcare providers have specific training in X-ray testing.

You may change into a medical gown at your provider’s office. The X-ray technologist will also ask you to remove necklaces or any other metal around your chest area.

Typically, your chest X-ray consists of two parts:

  1. You stand with your chest against the metal plate of the X-ray machine and your hands on your hips. This position produces an image of the front of your chest.
  2. You stand with your side against the metal plate of the X-ray machine and your arms in the air. This position creates an image of the side of your chest.

During the chest X-ray, you need to remain very still and hold your breath. Any movement — even breathing in and out — can blur the X-ray image.

Chest X-rays usually take a few minutes to complete.

What to expect after a chest X-ray (CXR)

After the X-ray, your radiation technologist may ask you to wait a few minutes while they look at the images. If any of the images are blurry, they may have to retake the X-rays.

Next, the technologist will send your X-ray images to a radiologist who reviews them for normal and abnormal findings. Your healthcare provider will then review the images and radiologist’s report so they can discuss your X-ray results with you.

What are the risks or side effects of chest X-rays?

X-rays use a very small amount of radiation. Providers use only the necessary amount to capture quality images.

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