An X-ray examination uses radiation to make images of your bones, teeth and internal organs. Simply put, an X-ray allows your doctor to take pictures of the inside of your body.

Fluoroscopy allows the physician to obtain "live" X-ray images and view them on a television screen

One of the oldest forms of medical imaging, an X-ray is a painless medical test that can help your doctor in diagnosis and treatment — even in emergency situations. It's a fast, easy and safe way for your doctor to view and assess conditions ranging from broken bones to pneumonia to cancer. Many different types of X-rays, such as bone or chest X-rays, exist. The type your doctor uses depends on what part of your body is being examined and for what purpose.

X-rays are safe and effective for people of all ages, even young children. X-rays are particularly useful for examining the chest, bones, joints and abdomen. Your doctor may recommend an X-ray for many different reasons. For example, an X-ray exam may:

• Determine whether a bone is chipped, dislocated or broken (fractured)
• Evaluate joint injuries and bone infections
• Diagnose and monitor the progression of degenerative conditions, such as arthritis and the bone-thinning disease osteoporosis
• Screen for heart and lung diseases
• Find and treat artery blockages
• Diagnose the cause of persistent coughing or chest pain
• Check for broken ribs or a punctured lung
• Evaluate abdominal pain
• Locate objects that may have been accidentally swallowed by a child
• Determine whether you have injured a bone or disk in your spine
• Detect scoliosis, an abnormal curvature of the spine, and other spinal defects
• Evaluate infection of the sinuses (sinusitis)
• Locate dental problems such as cavities, abscessed teeth, and other tooth and jaw abnormalities

X-ray exams also play an important role in the detection and diagnosis of cancer. Cancer may appear lighter in color on an X-ray than does normal, healthy lung tissue. X-rays may also be used to examine cancers of the intestines, stomach, liver, spleen, kidneys and breasts.

You may worry that X-rays aren't safe because high levels of radiation exposure can cause cell mutations that may lead to cancer. But the amount of radiation you're exposed to during an X-ray is so small that the risk of any damage to cells in your body is extremely low.

However, if you're pregnant or suspect that you may be pregnant, inform your doctor before having an X-ray. Though the risk of most diagnostic X-rays to an unborn baby is small, your doctor may consider whether it's better to wait or to use another imaging test, such as ultrasound.

Different types of X-rays require different preparations. Ask your doctor or nurse to provide you with specific instructions.

In general, you undress whatever part of your body needs examination. You may wear a gown to cover yourself during the exam, depending on which area is being X-rayed. You may also be asked to remove jewelry, eyeglasses and any metal objects or clothing that may obscure the X-ray image, because these objects can show up on an X-ray.

You may be asked to wear a lead apron to shield your sex organs from exposure to the X-rays. At very high doses, radiation can damage a woman's eggs or a man's sperm. Because you're exposed to a small amount of radiation during most X-rays, the lead apron is used as a precaution.

At high doses, radiation can be harmful to a fetus. Always inform the X-ray technologist if there's any possibility that you might be pregnant. Your doctor may suggest that you either forgo the X-ray exam or, if one is necessary at the time, take precautions to minimize radiation exposure to the fetus.

Before some types of X-rays you're given a liquid called contrast medium. Contrast mediums, such as barium and iodine, help outline a specific area of your body on X-ray film. You may swallow the contrast medium, or receive it as an injection or an enema. The contrast medium appears opaque on X-ray film, providing clear images of structures such as your digestive tract or blood vessels.

If you're to receive a contrast medium before an X-ray, tell your doctor if you have a history of allergy to X-ray dye, such as iodine.

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