Is X-ray Examination Always Available? ... Essential Safety Guidelines You Must Know

Common tests performed in hospitals include blood tests, urine tests, and X-ray examinations.

In particular, X-ray examinations are one of the non-invasive tests that can quickly check internal structures without skin incisions, with a short examination time and immediate result confirmation.

X-ray. Provided by Clipart Korea

They are especially excellent for diagnosing bone-related diseases, allowing rapid identification of abnormalities in bones and joints such as fractures, dislocations, and arthritis. They are also used in the dental field to check the condition of teeth, gums, implants, and prosthetics.

Additionally, X-rays play an important role in diagnosing internal organs including the lungs, heart, and blood vessels, contributing to the diagnosis of pneumonia, tuberculosis, heart diseases, and more.

Moreover, they serve as an important tool for preventive examinations of various diseases, monitoring existing conditions and treatment effects, and are used in conjunction with other radiological tests such as CT, MRI, and ultrasound to provide comprehensive diagnoses.

Basic information about X-ray examinations is provided by medical institutions, but since these tests involve radiation, it is necessary to be aware of certain precautions to ensure safe testing.

Recently, X-ray machines used in medical institutions employ low-dose radiation equipment, but minimizing radiation exposure remains a principle, so unnecessary X-ray examinations should be avoided.

It is advisable to proceed with the examination only when deemed necessary by a physician, and if you have recently undergone an X-ray or other radiological tests for the same symptoms, submitting related records can help avoid redundant radiation exposure.

If you are pregnant, planning pregnancy, have recently undergone surgery for joint diseases, or require thyroid protection, X-ray examinations may not be recommended or may require additional measures before testing, so be sure to fully explain your condition to the medical staff.

During the examination, metal accessories such as necklaces, earrings, watches, and belts can block radiation and affect the test results. This may necessitate retakes, so be sure to remove all accessories before the test and follow the radiologist’s instructions during the examination.

Jeon Juhee, Head of the Radiology Center at Daedong Hospital (Radiology Specialist), stated, “X-ray examinations are fast and effective diagnostic tools that play an important role in detecting and monitoring various diseases and conditions. However, selecting the appropriate examination method according to the patient’s condition is most important, so it is essential to inform the medical staff in detail about your health status before the test.”