Easy Guide to Three Common Medical Imaging Services
Posted on: 27 June 2019
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Medical imaging services are crucial in modern health care since they allow health practitioners to have a clear, visual representation of what is going on in your body. Whether it is a break in your bones, internal bleeding or even abnormal growths on the organs, medical imaging allows doctors to not only diagnose the issue but also monitor the progress of the treatment and prevent further complications. Some people may have preconceived notions about medical imaging that are false. It is important to note that these procedures are both non-invasive and painless. Here is an easy guide to three common medical imaging services that you may need in your lifetime.
An ultrasound
Ultrasounds are typically associated with pregnant women, but this is not the only reason why one may need this type of medical imaging service. For starters, ultrasounds employ the use of high-frequency waves that function to capture images of the internal parts of the body. Thus, while they are employed to determine the presence and monitor the growth of a foetus, an ultrasound can be used on any part of the body that does not have any bones present. Additionally, there are types of ultrasounds that can be put inside your body, such as a transrectal or a transvaginal ultrasound. Ultrasounds do not emit any radiation, so you do not have to worry about undue exposure.
A CT scan
Professionally known as a computerised tomography scan, this type of medical imaging services functions by taking multiple x-rays at different angles so that the doctor can have a comprehensive image of specific parts of the body. This form of medical imaging is employed primarily for the diagnosis of muscular and bone diseases, but it is also used in the diagnosis of cancer, internal bleeding and so on. In some instances, the physician may recommend the ingestion of contrasting dyes so that they can have a clear view of the images created by the CT scan. While CT scans do expose the body to radiation, it is minimal and absolutely safe for your overall health.
An MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging makes use of both radio waves and magnets to form an intricate image of the tissues and organs inside your body. The machine works by rearranging the hydrogen atoms inside your body for a temporary period so that the radio waves can highlight them and subsequently capture an image. If your doctor needs a precise view of a specific part of your body — such as the brain, skeletal system, organs, blood vessels, spinal cords and so on — they will opt for an MRI.