Pros & Cons of X-Rays

  
       Seven out of 10 people receive either a medical or dental X-ray every year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, making X-rays the primary source of man-made radiation exposure. Thousands of X-ray machines are used every day in medical settings.
Function
X-ray machines work by sending out tiny X-ray particles, called photons, through the body and capturing them on special film or a computer. The X-ray particles are the same kind of radiation as sunlight and travel through the body in the same way.
Because photons move easily through substances like air, these show up as black on the X-ray film. Fluids in the body show up as gray, because the photons can partially penetrate liquid. The photons cannot penetrate very dense matter, such as bones and teeth, and these substances show up on the X-ray film as white.
X-ray examinations are given by trained medical professionals, called radiologists, in a medical setting.
Pros
X-rays are a useful diagnostic tool because they can provide a clear picture of many internal structures that could only be viewed through more complex or intrusive methods without X-rays.
X-rays can illuminate the skeletal system to diagnose broken bones or joint damage. They also can confirm the existence of suspected bodily blockages, such as kidney stones or gallstones, that might need medical intervention.
Because they are quick and easily performed tests, X-rays are good for situations, such as emergency room visits, where speed is important.
Cons
X-rays have the potential to cause cellular damage because they are ionizing rays and may remove electrons from the atoms with which they come in contact. Though the risk is small, it is possible that this cellular damage could lead to cancer. In some rare cases, this damage can affect ovary cells or sperm cells, making a person infertile.
X-rays are potentially dangerous for very small children. They have the potential to cause birth defects in unborn children.
Considerations
The National Academy of Sciences has said that in most cases, the benefits of diagnosis outweigh the possible risks of using X-rays. To ensure your safety, choose trained professionals at recognized medical institutions to perform your X-rays and carefully follow the instructions given to you during the procedure.
Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant or breastfeeding before your X-ray exam.
If you have questions about X-ray safety, talk with your doctor or health care provider.
Regulations
X-ray use is regulated by several different agencies in the United States. Individual states work with the Food and Drug Administration to inspect and approve the X-ray machines used within their borders. The FDA regulates the production of X-ray machinery. The National Institute of Standards and Technology is responsible for setting the standards for X-ray use and manufacture.

How X-rays Work

                     As many humans' monumental discoveries, X-ray technology was invented totally by accident. In 1895, a German physicist called Wilhelm Roentgen made the discovery when experimenting with electron beams in a gas discharge tube. He noticed that a fluorescent screen in his lab started to glow when the electron beam was turned on. This response in itself wasn't such surprising because fluorescent material normally glows in reaction to electromagnetic radiation. But Roentgen's tube was surrounded by heavy black cardboards. Roentgen assumed that this would have blocked most of the radiation.
          Then Roentgen placed all kinds of objects between tube and screen, but the screen still glowed. Finally, he put his hand in front of the tube, and saw the silhouette of his bones projected onto the fluorescent screen. Immediately after discovering X-rays , he had discovered their most beneficial application.
  Roentgen's remarkable discovery was one of the most important medical advancements in human history. X-ray technology can help doctors see straight through human tissue to examine broken bones, cavities and swallowed objects with extraordinary ease and so on. Modified X-ray procedures can be used to examine softer tissue, such as the lungs,blood vessels or the intestines ect.
  Roentgen's discovery not only has great influence on medical diagnosis, but also influenced the appearance of many significant technology achievements in the 20th century. So in memory of  Roentgen's significant achievement, x rays were also called roentgen-rays in many countries.
          

Types of Radiology Equipment

              Radiology, or diagnostic imaging, has become an essential tool for physicians
to help diagnose and recommend treatment for their patients. Most of the larger
diagnostic imaging centers have several types of radiology equipment for the doctor to
choose from. Each piece of equipment requires extensive training and certification by
the technicians operating the imaging device.The following four kinds are widely used
in the medical.
             MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
             MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is a loud but very important machine that uses
magnetic fields and radio waves to get images of the patient. Since it does not use
radiation and produces very detailed images, MRI has become the most preferred
diagnostic imaging method by physicians. Most radiology centers have the
tunnel/traditional types of MRI machines, but there are open MRI machines for patients
who are claustrophobic.

Changes of x-rays over the years

           Since 1895 Wilhelm Roentgen found X-rays,it has been used in many fields,such as medical ,industry. And it also have many changes over the years.
Health Effects
           X-rays became an important medical diagnostic tool.And there are many different kinds of diagnostic tools:mobile x ray machine and fixed x ray machine.According to different classifications,the x ray machines have different names. By 1970, most Americans were getting at least one X-ray a year from doctors and dentists, according to the Medical Discoveries website. A correlation was established between frequency of X-rays and leukemia, however, so they are used less frequently as of 2010 than in years past. Doctors do use the harmful effects of X-rays for one benefit: to destroy cancer cells.
Computers
         One big change in X-rays is the incorporation of computers, which allows technicians to capture images digitally. Technicians can send digital X-ray images anywhere in the world and can archive digital images without danger of deterioration. X-ray equipment as of 2010 is smaller, lighter and portable, which also represents a significant change.
      We believe x-rays have many and large changes in the future.

Proton Beam Therapy vs. X-ray Beams

         The problem with X-rays as an energy source is that they're not easy to control. They have a low mass and a high energy, making it difficult to direct exactly where and how they interact with body tissue. Most body tissue doesn't absorb or block X-rays, so they just keep moving right through the body, releasing energy. When an X-ray enters the body, it emits a tremendous amount of energy at the point of entrance. That's why X-ray treatment leaves people with a tan at the treatment site -- their skin is receiving a lot of radiation.
       As the X-ray continues into the body, it continues to release energy. As long as the cancer tumor is somewhere in the path of the X-ray, it receives some of that radiation. But so does the healthy tissue all around it. The tissue damage that results from this type of radiation therapy can cause serious problems for the patient if the tumor is in a particularly sensitive area like the brain, the eye, the lungs, spinal cord or liver. It can cause irreparable organ damage. And for children, any tissue damage can be detrimental to their development. In order to limit the extent of collateral tissue damage, oncologists will bombard the tumor area with the lowest level of effective radiation.
     Proton-beam therapy can avoid this type of collateral damage. Protons are positively charged atomic particles, and they have tremendous energy but also tremendous mass. They're easier to control than X-rays: They slow down as they encounter body tissue. Protons can actually be set to release their energy at a specific point in body.

How to Make Patients Healthcare Partners

               If we want patients to involved in their healthcare decisions, what is the right way? As physicians and providers , we need to make sure our patients do not just question whether a treatment, laboratory test, or X-ray are necessary, we need to make sure that they will ask the right question.
              The right question is not, “Do I need this?” but, “What is the value of the treatment, laboratory test or X-ray in my treatment?” This is a more difficult question for us to answer, but it is the right question. It requires that we give the patient an education regarding their illness, the treatment and diagnostic options, the expected outcomes and the possibility of complications and finally, what the overall prognosis for their illness really is. During this process we need to help the patient come to terms with their illness and help them work through the issues they will face now and in the future.

Hard discussions
These discussions are hard for all concerned and are not for the physician or provider that is faint of heart. Once the discussion is opened, the patient and the family in many cases, will no longer be satisfied with a pat on the hand and a “there, there” from the person they are looking to for answers. No, once the patient and their family are on the inside, their search for answers and the right thing to do will increase. At that point, they do become true partners in their care and then the healthcare team can make true progress in choosing the right options at the right time for the right reasons.

A question of value
It is in answering the question of value that we can really become partners. What we really need to question and discuss to change our patients into partners is he value of life, the value of the options available and, in the end, the very value of our care is . To paraphrase, it’s not a destination, but a journey.

About Portable X-Ray Machines

            There are many different kinds of medical x ray machines, such as x ray machines,mobile x ray machines ,digital x ray machines, portable x ray machines and so on .
            Portable x ray machine is a kind of small x ray machines.Now,let us see some information of the portable x ray machines.We can see its function,Benefits and Risk Factors.
              The main function of portable x-rays is to look at bones and the areas surrounding them. X-rays are able to pass through the body easily. As radiation passes through the body, different parts absorb different amount of the radiation. Fat, muscle and other soft tissue allow the x-rays to pass through with very little absorption, while dense bones absorb the radiation. Images are recorded when the x-rays hit the metal plate on the other side of the body. Places where radiation was absorbed appear white, while untouched areas appear gray and black. This image allows a physician or technologist to see any abnormalities in the bone or surrounding tissue. This can be especially useful in establishing if a bone is broken, deciding if a break is healing properly, discovering fluid build-up around joints and locating foreign objects in the body.
             Both forms of x-ray machines provide a painless and simple way for physicians to look at bones in a relatively inexpensive, quick way.
              As with all medical procedures, x-ray machine pose some risks: a slight risk of cancer from exposure to radiation. This risk is very small, since the amount of radiation an individual is exposed to is small in comparison to the amount of radiation one is exposed to annually from the sun and radioactive isotopes found in soil. Pregnant women should inform their doctor or the x-ray technician as radiation can cause illness or complications on the fetus. The use of portable x-rays tends to produce a slightly lower-quality picture than x-rays done with a normal machine, though this is changing as new advances in portable x-ray technology are made.
  

Advantages & Disadvantages of Being an X-Ray Technician

         Working as an X-ray technician can be rewarding and demanding . Careers in health care afford the opportunity to help others and ease their pain. The job market favors X-ray technicians and will continue to do so for years, and these technicians make a respectable salary. The biggest drawback, though, is the commitment it takes to be a health care professional.
Salary and Benefits
The average salary of an X-ray technician is a major advantage. According to Salary.com, as of January 2010, national average salary for X-ray technicians ranged from $43,840 to $52,341 annually. Most technicians report having life, health and dental insurance and receiving overtime pay.
Job Security
Job security is a distinct advantage for X-ray technicians. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for X-ray techs are expected to expand 15 percent by 2016. This is higher than the average growth rate among other industries, partially because health care is generally an expanding industry.
Flexible Education
The requirements for becoming an X-ray technician pose another advantage. While some may pursue a four-year bachelor's degree, this is generally the route taken by people interested in career advancement and administrative or managerial work in the field. Most people opt for a two-year associate's degree followed by certification.
Disadvantages
Work in the field of health care, however,also has some disadvantages. Most X-ray technicians report working overtime, meaning more than the standard 40 hours per week. X-ray techs need to have a strong work ethic, meaning they could be paged and called in to work while off-duty. While this comes with commensurate pay, it could nonetheless be considered a disadvantage to working in this profession. Another potential disadvantage is the need to continue the education---certified X-ray techs with associate's degrees must obtain 24 continued education credits every two years to maintain certification.

X-Ray Room Radiation Safety

           X-rays are a potentially hazardous type of ionizing radiation mainly used in hospitals to produce images of the body's internal organs and bones. The most dangerous part of the X-ray machine, the focus of X-ray radiation, is known as the "incident beam."Basic Precautions
One reason X-ray radiation is potentially dangerous to humans is that it cannot be sensed striking the body. Some patients experience a tingling sensation when close to X-rays, but this is the result of charged air particles caused by radiation interacting with the air, not by the radiation itself.
Monitoring Exposure
Radiologists wear personal radiation detection devices to warn of harmful exposure. Known as Luxel aluminum oxide or thermo-luminescence dosimeters, they are worn in the form of a badge and emit light in proportion to the amount of radiation exposure they receive.
X-Ray Protection
X-rays are able to pass through most materials--hence their ability to provide images of internal organs and bones. This also means they can pass through normal walls and enclosures, potentially putting others at risk. Modern X-ray rooms are lined with lead, which prevents X-rays from escaping. Lead aprons are also used to protect parts of the patient's body from unwanted radiation exposure during imaging.
Electrical Safety
X-ray machines also can pose a risk of serious electric shock. The X-ray generator within the machine requires a 40 to 50 kilovolt (40,000 to 50,000 volt) direct-current (DC) power supply. In addition, the X-ray machine contains several large capacitors that store enough electricity to seriously injure or kill a person.
Radiation Levels
All people are exposed to naturally occurring radiation every day.Each medical X-ray examination gives a patient an additional dose of radiation on top of the amount he naturally receives in the course of a day. The dose depends on the procedure and the area of the body being examined, ranging from the equivalent of a few days of natural radiation (teeth, arm, leg, chest, hand and foot X-rays) to the equivalent of a few years (kidney, bladder, stomach and colon X-rays).

How Do Portable X-Ray Machines Work?

   One of the main conveniences that the portable x-ray machine offers to patients and doctors is that it is compact, which makes it mobile and versatile. This completely portable X-ray machine is also very lightweight--weighing in at only 88 pounds. Easy mobility means easy installation and easy use when trying to obtain a required X-ray no matter where the setting may be. In a portable X-ray machine, the X-ray tube is connected to a flexible arm that is extended over the patient while an X-ray film holder or image recording plate is placed beneath the patient. A portable X-ray machine that can be taken to the patient in a hospital bed or in the emergency room and even out in the field.

  These portable X-ray machines are a symbol of modern technology. They are very user-friendly systems that transmit high-quality digital images via a wireless Internet connection. These digital images are made by using computed radiology. Digital functionality is the best working asset of a portable X-ray machine.

   A portable X-ray machine contains phosphor plates and cassettes. These phosphor plates and cassettes are very special in that they can be used for a specific x-ray series and then erased for future use. This reduces the overall cost of using the machine. With the help of a totally filmless laser scanner that copies all of the images to the X-ray machine itself, digital archiving is also possible for a patient's medical images. These can be transmitted to a central computer system to use as part of an electronic record.

   The portable X-ray machine enables physicians to diagnose patients more efficiently than stationary X-ray equipment that uses film. The efficient and lightning fast digital imagery that it creates can be sent back to a home medical office right away for archiving and for a future examination in a doctor's office. This in itself is a true achievement, because is it the efficiency that assists in getting a required diagnosis for a patient a lot faster than conventional means can. When coupled with blood test results and other tests, portable X-ray machines also allow doctors to make a diagnosis from a remote location. This is especially useful for small towns and areas where specialists aren't readily available.

Facial X-Ray

A facial X-ray is a series of pictures of the bones in your face. One type of facial X-ray (called a paranasal sinus X-ray series) looks at the air-filled cavities (sinuses) around the nose and eyes.

X-rays are a form of radiation, like light or radio wave, that are focused into a beam, much like a flashlight beam. X-rays can pass through most objects, including the human body. X-rays make a picture by striking a detector that either exposes a film or sends the picture to a computer. Dense tissues in the body, such as bones, block (absorb) many of the X-rays and look white on an X-ray picture. Less dense tissues, such as muscles and organs, block fewer of the X-rays (more of the X-rays pass through) and look like shades of gray on an X-ray. X-rays that pass only through air look black on the picture.

See a picture of the bones of the face.

A facial X-ray helps find bone fractures, tumors, foreign objects, infections, and abnormal growths or changes in bone structure or size. An X-ray of the eye (orbital cavity) may be taken if the eye has been injured. A computed tomography (CT) scan may be needed to check any problems seen on X-ray.

Upcoming digital x ray machine : PLX5200 digital mobile x ray machine

PLX5200 High Frequency Mobile Digital Radiography System

Digital mobile dr x-ray machine
 1.This x ray machine is a kind of mobile digital x ray machine
2.Dual power supply  and power-generating
3.Flexible mechanical movement
4.Perfect software system and image system


Technical parameters  of mobile digital x ray system
Output power:25kW
mAs:360mAs
Inverter Frequency:60kHZ

How To Measure BMD ?

· Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).This is the most accurate way to measure BMD. It uses two different X-ray beams to estimate bone density in your spine and hip. Strong, dense bones allow less of the X-ray beam to pass through them. The amounts of each X-ray beam that are blocked by bone and soft tissue are compared to each other. DEXA can measure as little as 2% of bone loss per year. It is fast and uses very low doses of radiation. Single-energy X-ray absorptiometry (SXA) may be used to measure heel and forearm bone density, but SXA is not used as often as DEXA. See a picture of a DEXA X-ray of the hips  or a DEXA X-ray of the spine .

· Peripheral dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (P-DEXA).P-DEXA is a type of DEXA test. It measures the density of bones in the arms or legs, such as the wrist-it cannot measure the density of the bones most likely to break, such as the hip and spine. P-DEXA machines are portable units that can be used in a doctor's office. P-DEXA also uses very low doses of radiation, and the results are ready faster than standard DEXA measurements. P-DEXA is not as useful as DEXA for finding out how well medicine used to treat osteoporosis is working.

· Dual photon absorptiometry (DPA).This test uses a radioactive substance to measure bone density. It can measure BMD in your hip and spine. DPA also uses very low doses of radiation but has a slower scan time than the other methods.

· Quantitative computed tomography (QCT).This is a type of CT scan that measures the density of a bone in the spine (vertebra). A form of QCT called peripheral QCT (pQCT) measures the density of bones in your arms or legs, usually your wrist. QCT is not usually used because it is expensive, uses higher radiation doses, and is less accurate than DEXA, P-DEXA, or DPA.

What is radiation sickness?(2)

The degree of illness (acute radiation sickness) depends on the dose and the rate of exposure. Exposure from x-rays or gamma rays is measured in units of roentgens. For example:

1. Total body exposure of 100 roentgens causes radiation sickness.

2. Total body exposure of 400 roentgens causes radiation sickness and death in half the individuals.

3. 100,000 rads causes almost immediate unconsciousness and death within an hour

The severity of symptoms and illness depends on the type and amount of radiation, the duration of the exposure, and the body areas exposed. Symptoms of radiation sickness usually do not occur immediately following exposure.

Because it is difficult to determine the amount of radiation exposure from accidents, the best indications of the severity of the exposure are: the length of time between the exposure and the onset of symptoms, the severity of symptoms, and severity of changes in white blood cells.

Children who receive radiation treatments or who are accidentally exposed to radiation will be treated based on their symptoms and their blood cell counts. Frequent blood studies are necessary and require a small puncture through the skin into a vein to obtain blood samples.

Then the causes include: Accidental exposure to high doses of radiation, such as in certain occupations Exposure to excessive radiation for medical treatments (may include excessively high doses, excessive time of exposure, or excessive body areas exposed)