X-ray examination is an indispensable and accessible diagnostic method that helps the doctor quickly and informatively identify pathologies, as well as prescribe the correct treatment. Since x-rays are based on the use of radioactive radiation, it is necessary to know the permissible exposure limits and cases when the procedure is replaced by an alternative examination method.

What is the danger of x-rays and its consequences?

Allowable passing frequency

The permissible frequency of x-ray examinations is determined by the attending physician, depending on the disease and the characteristic features of the body. Only one diagnostic test is carried out during the day; if a repeat analysis is necessary, you will need to wait several days.

How often can an x-ray be taken? If diagnostics are carried out using old-style X-ray machines, it is worth remembering some recommendations:

• X-ray of teeth. If a lateral X-ray is performed, examination is allowed up to 5 times a year. With direct X-ray and simultaneous scanning of the brain - no more than once a year.
• Nasal scan. It is recommended no more than once a year.
• X-ray of the skull. The procedure is carried out no more than once a year to avoid negative effects on brain tissue.
• X-ray of the spine. It is recommended no more than once a year.

If a repeat scan is necessary, doctors advise contacting specialized centers that have modern X-ray equipment. This equipment reduces radiation exposure tenfold.

Taking X-rays using new-style machines up to 5-6 times a year.

What is the permissible dose and how to reduce the radiation load

In order to control ionizing radiation, after each procedure, data on the load received is entered into the patient’s medical record.

To minimize radiation and reduce its negative impact on the body, use:

• protective glass plates;
• X-ray protective screen;
• aprons based on lead material.

According to regulatory documents on radiation safety, the permissible radiation dose for one person is no more than 5 mSV per year. For children and patients during pregnancy (lactation), the dose is halved.

X-rays during pregnancy

If a bone fracture is suspected, radiography is performed with simultaneous screening of the pelvic area, mammary glands and abdomen. After such a study, it is recommended to additionally conduct an ultrasound of the fetus to confirm the absence of adverse changes.

MRI is a highly informative research method, but its purpose is not always reasonable. Thus, computed tomography is used to examine parts of the body (chest, abdomen, spine.). MRI is rather used to study a specific organ (brain, heart, pancreas, bone marrow).

If you need to undergo a high-quality diagnosis of bone tissue, then you need to turn to an x-ray or CT scan. If diagnostics of soft tissues and organs is required, then MRI is the best way to identify pathological processes.

Even with modern digital equipment, x-rays remain an indispensable method for identifying pathologies, in particular bone tissue. To minimize the risks of the negative impact of the procedure, you should undergo it according to the doctor’s indications, and not prescribe it yourself.

Video

To figure out which is more harmful, X-ray, MRI or CT, we suggest watching this video.

Radiography is one of the most common laboratory research methods, which is used in many areas of medicine. It makes it possible to identify various diseases and pathologies and begin treatment in a timely manner. However, during the examination, the human body is exposed to x-ray radiation, which is harmful to it and can cause the development of certain complications. Undoubtedly, modern devices are made using innovative technologies that reduce the level of danger, but despite this, many people are afraid to go to the hospital. To allay their fears, let's figure out how often you can do x-rays without harm to your health. We'll also look at several ways you can reduce your risk of developing problems due to radiation exposure.

What is it?

What is radiography? Many of us have heard this term, but do not fully understand its meaning. This is one of the modern research methods that allows you to study in detail the internal structure of the body. It was discovered in 1895 by the German scientist Wilhelm Roentgen, after whom it was named.

An X-ray diagnostic machine is used to conduct the study. It sends electromagnetic radiation through the human body, projecting an image of the internal organs on a special film. If there are any problems with it, the doctor will be able not only to find out about the disease, but also to obtain detailed information about the nature of its origin and the stage of its progression.

Today, radiation diagnostics is used in many areas of medicine:

• traumatology;
• dentistry;
• pneumology;
• gastroenterology;
• oncology.

In addition to medicine, radiography is widely used in industry. With its help, manufacturers of various groups of goods can identify even minor defects, which has a positive effect on the quality of the finished product.

What information does radiology provide?

Let's look at this in more detail. Many people are interested in what an x-ray shows. As noted earlier, with its help, doctors can confirm or deny the presence of almost any pathology. The final diagnosis is made after deciphering the image, showing all infiltrated shadows and air cavities, which may be foreign objects, inflammatory or other pathological syndrome. At the same time, X-ray readings are highly informative. It provides an opportunity not only to identify the disease, but also to assess its severity and form of progression.

The effect of electromagnetic rays on the body

This aspect deserves special attention. Many people wonder whether fluorography and x-rays are really dangerous. Both methods have a number of differences, but there is one common detail: during diagnosis, the human body is exposed to X-ray radiation with short wavelengths. As a result of this, ionization of atoms and molecules occurs in soft tissues, as a result of which their structure changes.

Exposure to very high doses can lead to many serious complications, including:

• radiation sickness;
• damage to internal organs;
• formation of burns on the skin;
• extensive internal bleeding.

As a result of all of the above, a person dies just a few hours after exposure. As for the small doses associated with x-rays, there is also harm. Taking them regularly can cause exacerbation of chronic diseases. In addition, there is a high probability of genetic changes that can be inherited.

Safe radiation exposure

Many people are interested in which one. It is very difficult to answer this question unequivocally, since it all depends on the type of equipment. But you can be completely sure that it is safe. A dose of 15 Sv is considered lethal, but with modern devices it is several hundred times less, so there is no danger to life. But according to experts, if you undergo radiation diagnostics too often, then certain harm is caused to your health.

The World Health Organization has devoted a lot of time to studying the dangers of x-rays. It has been established that the safe annual radiation dose is 500 m3v. However, domestic doctors are trying to reduce it to 50 m3v. This is due to the fact that every day people are exposed to background radiation, which does not pose any threat to health, but gradually accumulates in the body.

It is worth noting that doctors calculate the safe dose individually for each patient. This takes into account his clinical picture, lifestyle, environmental conditions and radioactive background in the region of residence. The obtained data is recorded in the medical record and is used to monitor the radiation received by the patient. If the established limit has been exhausted, then radiography is not prescribed until the end of the period.

What could be the consequences?

Let's look at this aspect in more detail. Fluorography and x-rays do not pose any particular danger if done no more than once a year. Frequent exposure to radiation can lead not only to exacerbation of existing diseases, but also to the development of new diseases.

In most cases, the following pathologies appear:

• bronchospasm;
• changes in the chemical composition of the blood;
• Quincke's edema;
• erythropenia;
• thrombocytopenia;
• cancerous tumors;
• urticaria;
• premature aging;
• cataract;
• immunosuppression, which can develop into immunodeficiency;
• metabolic disorder;
• erectile dysfunction;
• blood cancer

In addition, the harm of x-rays extends to future generations. Children may be born with various physical and mental disabilities. Statistics show that over the past 100 years since the beginning of the use of radiation diagnostics, the gene pool of the population around the world has deteriorated significantly. Life expectancy has decreased, and cancer is being diagnosed at an even younger age than before.

Contraindications

It is advisable to familiarize yourself with this aspect first. When deciding to visit an X-ray room, you must take into account that radiation diagnostics may not always be carried out. You should avoid it if you have the following health problems:

• extremely serious condition;
• diabetes mellitus type 2;
• active tuberculosis;
• open pneumothorax;
• renal and liver failure or dysfunction of these organs;
• iodine intolerance;
• internal bleeding;
• any diseases of the thyroid gland.

Radiation doses for different types of x-rays

So what do you need to know about this? With modern equipment, the level of radiation exposure is minimal. It may be equal to or slightly higher than background radiation. This allows X-rays to be taken more often without causing severe harm to human health. Even if the image turns out to be of poor quality and the examination has to be carried out several times, the total radiation exposure will not exceed 50 percent of the annual norm. The exact numbers depend on the type of device used.

• analogue fluorography - no more than 0.2 m3v;
• digital fluorography - no more than 0.06 m3v;
• X-ray of the neck and cervical spine - no more than 0.1 m3v;
• examination of the head - no more than 0.4 m3v;
• X-ray of the abdominal area - no more than 0.4 m3v;
• detailed radiography - no more than 0.03 m3v;
• dental x-ray - no more than 0.1 m3v.

A person receives the highest dose of X-rays when examining internal organs. And this is even despite a small radiation dose. The thing is that the procedure takes a long time, so in one session an adult receives about 3.5 m3V of radiation.

How many times a year can I have x-rays?

Radiation diagnostics is prescribed if conventional examination methods do not make it possible to make an accurate diagnosis. It’s difficult to say how often you can go through it, since it all depends on how many percent of the annual limit is exhausted. It is not advisable to take x-rays too often, especially if large areas of the body are irradiated. The susceptibility index, which is individual for each person, also plays an important role. Radiation causes the greatest harm to internal organs and endocrine glands. As a rule, doctors do not order x-rays for their patients more than once a year. But in some cases, re-diagnosis can be carried out 6 months after the previous one. In the presence of serious pathologies requiring constant monitoring, the interval can be reduced to 45 days. During this time, soft tissues and internal organs have time to recover slightly from exposure to radiation.

In what cases can repeat x-rays be performed?

It is not always possible to adhere to all safety rules. In medical practice, there are a number of cases in which it becomes necessary to conduct radiography after a short period of time, namely:

• if the specialist cannot make out what the x-ray shows due to the poor quality of the image;
• to confirm the diagnosis after radiography;
• to assess the patient’s condition and the development of pathology;
• for detailed information about the progress of therapy.

Only the attending physician can decide on a re-examination. This takes into account the total level of radiation exposure and the area that will be exposed to irradiation. The only exceptions are people with cancer. They can have x-rays up to four times a month.

How is the examination carried out?

There is nothing complicated about radiography. You do not need to undergo any preparation before it. In order to reduce the negative effects of radiation, the patient is given special protective collars with lead plates sewn into them. Only the area of ​​the body being examined is left open. Comprehensive diagnostics lasts no more than 15 minutes.

It goes according to the following scheme:

1. The patient enters the office, removes all metal objects and exposes the desired area of ​​the body.
2. Next, he sits on a chair or takes a lying position in a special booth.
3. Direct radiation diagnostics is carried out.
4. The X-ray film is developed and a transcript of the image is written.
5. The doctor makes a final diagnosis based on the results obtained.

That, in fact, is the whole procedure. As a rule, everything works out the first time, but if the image quality is poor, the patient is sent for re-examination.

Precautions

To reduce the risk of possible complications, you should not undergo x-rays more often than prescribed by your doctor. In addition, it is advisable to undergo examination in medical institutions equipped with modern and safer equipment.

In order to minimize harm from exposure to radiation, doctors try to reduce the area of ​​exposure. For this purpose, patients are given special caps, mittens and aprons. In order for the x-ray to be successful and not have to be redone, you must strictly follow all the instructions of the specialists. You need to fix your body in the desired position and also hold your breath for a certain time.

How to cleanse yourself from radiation?

To minimize the harm from x-rays and help the body recover faster, you need to make some adjustments to your daily diet.

The following products help remove radiation:

• milk;
• prunes;
• fresh fruits and vegetables;
• red wine;
• pomegranate juice;
• prunes;
• seaweed;
• fish;
• any products that contain iodine.

Thus, by eating right, you can quickly cleanse your body of harmful radiation.

Conclusion

X-rays themselves are not as scary as many people think. If you follow all the doctor’s recommendations, nothing bad will happen to your health. On the contrary, it can save lives, since with its help it is possible to identify serious pathologies at the earliest stages of development. Therefore, if you have been prescribed an x-ray, then you should not be afraid. Feel free to go to the clinic and get examined.

Keeping fit is part of the daily life of a modern person. Running or Pilates, karate or strength training - everyone chooses the type of activity that suits them. Unfortunately, sports are sometimes unsafe and injuries occur, but any coach can confirm that you should not be afraid of them. Thanks to modern diagnostic methods, it is possible to detect almost any “problem” in the human body and begin timely treatment. One of the most effective diagnostic methods is radiology. Based on the analysis of the X-ray image, the doctor will quickly and with a high degree of accuracy detect the problem.

X-ray: what does it show and what does it look like?

More than a hundred years have passed since the discovery of X-rays, but X-ray diagnostics still remains not only convenient and relevant, but sometimes the only possible method of diagnosis. Thanks to this study, it is possible to diagnose bone fractures (X-rays for fractures are taken in frontal and lateral projections). The x-ray also clearly shows the pathology of the joints: arthritis, arthrosis, dislocations. In order to diagnose tuberculosis, fluorography is sometimes sufficient, but if the doctor has doubts when reading the image, he may prescribe an additional x-ray examination. X-rays are also used to diagnose diseases such as pneumonia, intestinal obstruction (the intestines are examined with contrast, the patient has to drink a barium sulfate suspension), neoplasms (both malignant and benign), aneurysms, spinal pathologies and some heart diseases. Also, thanks to this study, it is possible to determine the presence of a foreign body in the respiratory tract or stomach.

What is an x-ray? Probably each of us has seen it at least once in our lives - it is a black and white image of the internal structures of the body, reminiscent of an ordinary negative. The light areas of the image are characteristic of the denser parts of our body, and the dark areas are characteristic of soft organs and hollow structures, such as the lungs. Based on the nature of the brightening and darkening, the doctor makes a diagnosis.

Previously, images were projected only onto a special light-sensitive film, but with the development of digital radiography, it became possible to obtain images in digital format. That is why recently, this primarily concerns private clinics, the patient increasingly receives not a film image, but a disk or flash card with the results of the study.

How is the fluoroscopy procedure performed?

X-rays are not only painless, but also, contrary to popular belief, a safe procedure. The dose of radiation that a person receives during fluoroscopy is very small and completely harmless.

As a rule, no preparation is required for an x-ray - you just need to follow the doctor's instructions: wear a protective apron that covers your reproductive organs and do not move while the x-ray machine takes the picture. However, in some cases, preparation is still needed: for example, when the patient needs to have an x-ray of the chest, spine or gastrointestinal tract. In order for the images to be as clear as possible, three days before the examination date the person will be asked to follow a special diet: exclude from the diet foods such as milk, brown bread, fresh cabbage, potatoes, beans and other foods that can cause flatulence. X-rays of the spine are performed only on an empty stomach, and the last meal can be no later than seven o'clock in the evening the day before the procedure.

How is an x-ray taken?

During the study, ionizing radiation passes through the human body. Soft tissues transmit rays, while dense tissues block them. The rays passing through the patient's body are recorded by a detector. When using analog devices, the detector is a fluorescent screen or film onto which the image is directly projected. The screen can also play the role of a kind of amplifier of received signals. After converting the radiation into an image using a special optical system, the latter can be recorded by a television camera and shown on a monitor (indirect analogue method). In the case of digital equipment, the data is recorded by the receiver and immediately converted into binary code, displayed on the computer screen. A digital photograph can be recorded on magnetic media, disk, or the image can be displayed on film.

As a result of all these manipulations, a planar black and white image of anatomical structures is obtained. Based on the shadows and light areas in the image, the doctor “reads” it and then draws a conclusion about the condition of certain internal organs.

The most modern and safest method today is digital fluorography - during its implementation the patient receives a radiation dose one hundred times less than during radiography. The radiation dose will be only 0.015 mSv, with a preventive dose rate of 1 mSv. However, the resolution of such a fluorograph is still inferior to digital radiography: on an X-ray of the lungs, the doctor will be able to see shadows measuring 2 mm, while a fluorographic study will show only shadows of at least 5 mm.

How to take an x-ray correctly and what determines the clarity of the image?

The clarity of an x-ray depends on several factors. These include the equipment on which the procedure is carried out and the correctness of the examination itself. So, for example, if the patient does not move while the image is being taken, the contours of the internal organs will be blurred and the doctor will not be able to clearly read the image.

If the doctor considers that one image is not enough to make an accurate diagnosis, he can prescribe additional x-ray examinations to the patient: take a photo of the desired organ in several projections: postero-anterior, anteroposterior, lateral or targeted.

For example, during a posteroanterior projection of the thoracic region or spine, the patient stands, his chin is fixed, and his breathing is held during the image. The anterior-posterior projection is done in the supine position and with a deep breath.

Lateral projection is often prescribed by a doctor if lung disease is suspected. It is done as follows: the patient is asked to lie down with his hands behind his head. His left or right side is fixed, breathing is held, and then a deep breath is taken. Also, the lateral projection is often used in determining sports injuries: for example, sprains, joint damage. During the procedure, the person will need to bear weight on the affected leg.

This is interesting
At the beginning of the 20th century, a new trend arose: the fashion for x-rays. Every self-respecting fashionista simply had to have a picture of his own bones at home - arms, legs, skull. In large cities, so-called studios were opened en masse, where everyone could take a photo of any part of their body. Since the dangers of X-rays were unknown at that time, even pregnant women came to the studio to “photograph” their unborn child. The pictures were expensive, and those who did not have enough money were given the opportunity to simply “shine” in front of the screen - by the way, this is how the world learned about the deformations of the ribs caused by wearing a corset.

X-ray image evaluation

When interpreting an X-ray image, the doctor takes into account the fact that it is formed by a diverging beam of X-rays, so the dimensions of the structures in the image may not correspond to the actual ones. The diagnostician analyzes the entire spectrum of darkening, clearing and other radiological symptoms before giving the patient a conclusion.

At the first stage of decoding the image, its quality is assessed: focus, contrast and image clarity. The doctor then analyzes the shadow picture of the patient's organs. The doctor who referred the patient for an x-ray examination is responsible for deciphering the image.

As an example of deciphering an x-ray, we will give an example of assessing an image of a person’s lungs. The following criteria are analyzed:

• Asymmetrical body position, which is assessed by the location of the sternoclavicular joints.
• Additional shadows in the photo.
• The hardness or softness of the image.
• Concomitant diseases that may affect the image.
• Complete coverage of the lungs in the image.
• The correct position of the shoulder blades in the image is outward, otherwise the image may be read incorrectly.
• Clarity of images of the anterior segments of the ribs. If the images are unclear, the patient was breathing or moving during the x-ray and the x-ray will have to be repeated.
• Contrast level. It is defined by the presence of shades of black and white. The doctor compares the areas of darkening and clearing - the light areas give the lung fields, the dark areas the anatomical structures.

The quality of the image assessment depends primarily on the professionalism of the doctor who takes it. An important factor in the analysis and subsequent conclusion is the illumination in which the image is read: insufficient lighting or too bright light prevents the doctor from giving a correct assessment of the image.

Distribution of study results to the patient

The timing for issuing X-ray images is not regulated. Each clinic, public or private, sets them individually. But, as a rule, they are ready on the same day. The patient receives images and an X-ray examination report - a conclusion made by the doctor. In the protocol, doctors try not to use highly specialized terms such as “clearance”, “darkening”, “superposition of structures” and others. The protocol is certified by a personal signature, and in some clinics – by the doctor’s seal, and is a legal document.

Despite the fact that only a doctor can read an X-ray, many patients try to do it themselves, based on descriptions of X-rays they see on the Internet. This is wrong, since each image is individual, and, in addition, making an independent diagnosis turns out to be incorrect in almost one hundred percent of cases. Trust your doctor on this matter!

Where can I take an x-ray?

A high-quality x-ray or fluorography can be done in almost any modern clinic - both public and private. Before visiting a medical facility, pay attention to the level and novelty of the equipment - not only the result of the X-ray examination, but also the radiation dose that you will receive during the X-ray depends on them.

We recommend that you pay attention to an independent laboratory operating in Russia since 1995. Branches of the laboratory are represented in many large Russian cities, as well as in Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan. All departments are equipped with the latest technology. Thanks to the latest equipment and highly qualified doctors, X-ray examinations of all organs are carried out in INVITRO clinics quickly and efficiently.

Tuesday, 04/10/2018

Editorial opinion

The radiation exposure that a patient receives during an X-ray examination directly depends on the quality of the equipment in the clinic. For example, in Europe, the radiation dose for one person during a lung examination over the course of a year does not exceed 0.6 mSv. In Russia this figure is higher – 1.5 mSv. To protect yourself, doctors recommend conducting examinations in clinics with modern equipment.

Each of us has done an x-ray at least once in our lives. And you will probably be familiar with at least one of the terms such as fluorography of the lungs (image of the chest organs), mammography (image of the mammary glands) or computed tomography (CT, examination of various organs). All this is due to x-ray radiation. And most often, patients are prescribed a regular x-ray (for example, in case of serious injuries, to understand whether there are fractures).

Moreover, in order to receive an appointment for such a diagnosis, it is not necessary to break a limb or contract a dangerous disease. Some X-ray examinations are also carried out for preventive purposes. For example, fluorography for the prevention of tuberculosis is recommended once a year.

Without going into complicated details, X-ray radiation can be described as follows. This is a stream of electromagnetic waves that can penetrate body tissues. Thanks to special devices, a picture of the “translated” insides appears. This gives doctors the opportunity to assess the nature of internal injuries. Of course, this method helps doctors make diagnoses faster and more reliably and save the patient’s life.

But there are also disadvantages - radiation from an X-ray machine can negatively affect the human body. The first and most terrible consequence that is worth remembering is cancer.

As stated in the report of the Moscow department of Rospotrebnadzor for 2017, the “average annual effective dose” of radiation per Moscow resident is 3.95 mSv (millisieverts). As already Life, this is quite a bit: the maximum permissible value is five times more.

At the same time, a fifth of the annual radiation dose is for medical research. In general, this is not the most terrifying figure.

But this is the "average temperature in the hospital." After all, one person can do two or three X-ray examinations a year, and the second - none at all. Of course, in the first case, the radiation dose will be many times greater.

CT against children

Fluorography and radiography cause damage to the body by less than 1 mSv at a time (this is a fairly small dose). And a CT scan of the whole body is 25–30 mSv (this is more than the permissible annual value). In some cases, fears that cancer may develop after frequent X-ray examinations are justified.

Recently, scientists from the Ural Institute of Biophysics published a study on this issue. 890 children and adolescents were under the supervision of specialists for 10 years. They all went through a CT scanner, with an average radiation dose of about 2 mSv per time. So, by the time the scientific study was completed, 12 of them were diagnosed with cancer.

The scientists clarified that they do not have reliable evidence that the children got sick precisely because of the radiation dose on CT scans and therefore plan to continue research in this area.

There is more benefit than harm

Photo: © RIA Novosti/Kirill Kallinikov

According to toxicologist-radiologist Alexander Grebenyuk, there is still no need to panic - radiation exposure in most X-ray studies generally “fits” into the natural radiation background. As for CT scanning, the expert emphasized that this procedure should under no circumstances be done without a doctor’s prescription. In general, this applies to both x-rays and fluorography - it’s not worth taking risks unnecessarily.

Radiation does not cause illness instantly. The danger is long-term exposure, he said. - Under the influence of electromagnetic waves, the human body loses its protective properties, its immunity becomes less resistant to diseases (including diseases of the cardiovascular system, oncology, etc.). But it is difficult to prove that it was radiation that caused the disease. There is no clear scientific evidence.

Review

Of all the radiation diagnostic methods, only three: X-ray (including fluorography), scintigraphy and computed tomography, are potentially associated with dangerous radiation - ionizing radiation. X-rays are capable of splitting molecules into their component parts, so their action can destroy the membranes of living cells, as well as damage the nucleic acids DNA and RNA. Thus, the harmful effects of hard X-ray radiation are associated with cell destruction and death, as well as damage to the genetic code and mutations. In ordinary cells, mutations over time can cause cancerous degeneration, and in germ cells they increase the likelihood of deformities in the future generation.

The harmful effects of such types of diagnostics as MRI and ultrasound have not been proven. Magnetic resonance imaging is based on the emission of electromagnetic waves, and ultrasound studies are based on the emission of mechanical vibrations. Neither is associated with ionizing radiation.

Ionizing radiation is especially dangerous for body tissues that are intensively renewed or growing. Therefore, the first people to suffer from radiation are:

• bone marrow, where the formation of immune cells and blood occurs,
• skin and mucous membranes, including the gastrointestinal tract,
• fetal tissue in a pregnant woman.

Children of all ages are especially sensitive to radiation, since their metabolic rate and cell division rate are much higher than those of adults. Children are constantly growing, which makes them vulnerable to radiation.

At the same time, X-ray diagnostic methods: fluorography, radiography, fluoroscopy, scintigraphy and computed tomography are widely used in medicine. Some of us expose ourselves to the rays of an X-ray machine on our own initiative: so as not to miss something important and to detect an invisible disease at a very early stage. But most often the doctor sends you for radiation diagnostics. For example, you come to the clinic to get a referral for a wellness massage or a certificate for the pool, and the therapist sends you for fluorography. The question is, why this risk? Is it possible to somehow measure the “harmfulness” of X-rays and compare it with the need for such research?

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Accounting for radiation doses

By law, every diagnostic test involving x-ray exposure must be recorded on a dose recording sheet, which is filled out by a radiologist and pasted into your outpatient record. If you are examined in a hospital, then the doctor should transfer these figures to the extract.

In practice, few people comply with this law. At best, you will be able to find the dose you were exposed to in the study report. At worst, you will never know how much energy you received with invisible rays. However, you have every right to demand from the radiologist information about how much the “effective dose of radiation” was - this is the name of the indicator by which harm from x-rays is assessed. The effective radiation dose is measured in milli- or microsieverts - abbreviated as mSv or µSv.

Previously, radiation doses were estimated using special tables that contained average figures. Now every modern X-ray machine or computed tomograph has a built-in dosimeter, which immediately after the examination shows the number of sieverts you received.

The radiation dose depends on many factors: the area of ​​the body that was irradiated, the hardness of the X-rays, the distance to the beam tube and, finally, the technical characteristics of the apparatus itself on which the study was carried out. The effective dose received when examining the same area of ​​the body, for example, the chest, can change by a factor of two or more, so after the fact it will only be possible to calculate how much radiation you received. It’s better to find out right away without leaving your office.

Which examination is the most dangerous?

To compare the “harmfulness” of various types of x-ray diagnostics, you can use the average effective doses given in the table. This is data from methodological recommendations No. 0100/1659-07-26, approved by Rospotrebnadzor in 2007. Every year the technology is improved and the dose load during research can be gradually reduced. Perhaps in clinics equipped with the latest devices, you will receive a lower dose of radiation.

body part, organ	Dose mSv/procedure
	film	digital
Fluorograms
Rib cage	0,5	0,05
Limbs	0,01	0,01
Cervical spine	0,3	0,03
Thoracic spine	0,4	0,04
	1,0	0,1
Pelvic organs, hip	2,5	0,3
Ribs and sternum	1,3	0,1
Radiographs
Rib cage	0,3	0,03
Limbs	0,01	0,01
Cervical spine	0,2	0,03
Thoracic spine	0,5	0,06
Lumbar spine	0,7	0,08
Pelvic organs, hip	0,9	0,1
Ribs and sternum	0,8	0,1
Esophagus, stomach	0,8	0,1
Intestines	1,6	0,2
Head	0,1	0,04
Teeth, jaw	0,04	0,02
Kidneys	0,6	0,1
Breast	0,1	0,05
X-ray
Rib cage	3,3
Gastrointestinal tract	20
Esophagus, stomach	3,5
Intestines	12
Computed tomography (CT)
Rib cage	11
Limbs	0,1
Cervical spine	5,0
Thoracic spine	5,0
Lumbar spine	5,4
Pelvic organs, hip	9,5
Gastrointestinal tract	14
Head	2,0
Teeth, jaw	0,05

Obviously, the highest radiation dose can be obtained during fluoroscopy and computed tomography. In the first case, this is due to the duration of the study. Fluoroscopy usually takes a few minutes, and an x-ray is taken in a fraction of a second. Therefore, during dynamic research you are exposed to more radiation. Computed tomography involves a series of images: the more slices, the higher the load, this is the price to pay for the high quality of the resulting image. The radiation dose during scintigraphy is even higher, since radioactive elements are introduced into the body. You can read more about the differences between fluorography, radiography and other radiation research methods.

To reduce the potential harm from radiation examinations, there are protections available. These are heavy lead aprons, collars and plates that a doctor or laboratory assistant must provide you with before making a diagnosis. You can also reduce the risk of an X-ray or CT scan by spacing the studies as far apart as possible. The effects of radiation can accumulate and the body needs to be given time to recover. Trying to get a whole body scan done in one day is unwise.

How to remove radiation after an x-ray?

Ordinary X-rays are the effect of gamma radiation on the body, that is, high-energy electromagnetic oscillations. As soon as the device is turned off, the exposure stops; the radiation itself does not accumulate or collect in the body, so there is no need to remove anything. But during scintigraphy, radioactive elements are introduced into the body, which are the emitters of waves. After the procedure, it is usually recommended to drink more fluids to help get rid of the radiation faster.

What is the acceptable radiation dose for medical research?

How many times can you do fluorography, x-rays or CT scans without causing harm to your health? It is believed that all these studies are safe. On the other hand, they are not performed on pregnant women and children. How to figure out what is truth and what is a myth?

It turns out that the permissible radiation dose for humans during medical diagnostics does not exist even in official documents of the Ministry of Health. The number of sieverts is subject to strict accounting only for X-ray room workers, who are exposed to radiation day after day in the company of patients, despite all protective measures. For them, the average annual load should not exceed 20 mSv; in some years, the radiation dose may be 50 mSv, as an exception. But even exceeding this threshold does not mean that the doctor will begin to glow in the dark or will grow horns due to mutations. No, 20–50 mSv is only the limit beyond which the risk of harmful effects of radiation on humans increases. The dangers of average annual doses less than this value could not be confirmed over many years of observations and research. At the same time, it is purely theoretically known that children and pregnant women are more vulnerable to x-rays. Therefore, they are advised to avoid radiation just in case; all studies related to X-ray radiation are carried out only for health reasons.

Dangerous dose of radiation

The dose beyond which radiation sickness begins - damage to the body under the influence of radiation - ranges from 3 Sv for humans. It is more than 100 times higher than the permissible annual average for radiologists, and it is simply impossible for an ordinary person to obtain it during medical diagnostics.

There is an order from the Ministry of Health that introduces restrictions on the radiation dose for healthy people during medical examinations - this is 1 mSv per year. This usually includes such types of diagnostics as fluorography and mammography. In addition, it is said that it is prohibited to resort to X-ray diagnostics for prophylaxis in pregnant women and children, and it is also impossible to use fluoroscopy and scintigraphy as a preventive study, as they are the most “heavy” in terms of radiation exposure.

The number of x-rays and tomograms should be limited by the principle of strict reasonableness. That is, research is necessary only in cases where refusing it would cause more harm than the procedure itself. For example, if you have pneumonia, you may need to take a chest x-ray every 7-10 days until complete recovery to monitor the effect of antibiotics. If we are talking about a complex fracture, then the study can be repeated even more often to ensure the correct comparison of bone fragments and the formation of callus, etc.

Are there any benefits from radiation?

It is known that in the room a person is exposed to natural background radiation. This is, first of all, the energy of the sun, as well as radiation from the bowels of the earth, architectural buildings and other objects. Complete exclusion of the effect of ionizing radiation on living organisms leads to a slowdown in cell division and early aging. Conversely, small doses of radiation have a restorative and healing effect. This is the basis for the effect of the famous spa procedure - radon baths.

On average, a person receives about 2–3 mSv of natural radiation per year. For comparison, with digital fluorography you will receive a dose equivalent to natural radiation for 7-8 days a year. And, for example, flying on an airplane gives an average of 0.002 mSv per hour, and even the work of a scanner in the control zone is 0.001 mSv in one pass, which is equivalent to the dose for 2 days of normal life under the sun.

All site materials have been checked by doctors. However, even the most reliable article does not allow us to take into account all the features of the disease in a particular person. Therefore, the information posted on our website cannot replace a visit to the doctor, but only complements it. The articles have been prepared for informational purposes and are advisory in nature. If symptoms appear, please consult a doctor.