The human body is exposed to countless disorders and several health evaluation tests help in proper screening for the right treatment. Numerous reasons can be attested to for acquiring an X-Ray at home service. Technically speaking, X-Rays are medical equipment that is used for taking bone images along with other organs in the human body. In addition, X-Rays help identify many diseases and health conditions that make the treatment easier to a great extent.
The X-Ray machine produces electromagnetic radiation that passes through the body and projects an internal image. Though radiation is considered harmful to humans, the amount used in the X-Rays is so low that one test does not risk your body. When the ray passes through the body, denser objects like bones appear almost white, while less dense items such as soft tissue will appear black or in a darker tone.
In the 21st century, the advancement of medical technology has resulted in many tests such as X-Rays being conducted in the confinement and comfort of your home. As X-Ray happens to be a common medical procedure, it is readily available almost anywhere in the world.
Is It Possible To Do An X-Ray At Home?
Yes, you can avail of X-Ray home services in the Delhi-NCR region. Modern advanced technologies and portable imaging machines have made it possible to conduct an X-Ray in the comfort of home. An X-ray is a non-invasive method. The radiation just passes through the body, it does not penetrate the skin. This is solely enough to make X-Ray to be a medical test procedure that is suitable for home conditions. After all, you just need the equipment and a radiologist or a medical practitioner for assistance. Star Imaging Home Healthcare Pvt. Ltd offers X-Ray, ECGs and many other prominent health evaluation tests at the patient’s doorsteps.
How Do You Make A Homemade X-Ray?
Building a homemade X-Ray is not duly advisable if you do not have the professional knowledge or backing. Moreover, as the machine uses radiation, it can easily be categorized as harmful if not corroborated correctly. Nevertheless, it is not impossible, and many guides and YouTube videos are available online to take an idea. So gather enough knowledge before trying it out.
Can An X-Ray Be Done at Home?
Yes, there are a few types of X-Ray procedures that can be performed at home with the proper equipment. Instead of building one without any precaution, all you can do is contact the nearest lab that offers home X-Ray service and schedule an appointment. Once the booking gets approved, you will be notified about the date and time and will be briefed about the procedure. Star Imaging Home Healthcare Pvt. Ltd offers X-Ray at Home services in Delhi and surrounding areas.
Features of An X-Ray at Home
X-Rays are one of the most common medical test procedures known for detecting or monitoring a vast range of health conditions. Typically, when patients feel any pain or discomfort in their body, they are sure to visit a doctor. If the doctor cannot find a cause for the problem by looking at the patient from the surface, they may ask for an imaging test.
The numerous problems detected or monitored via an X-Ray procedure include fractures, bone cancer, breast cancer, blocked blood vessels, enlarged heart, digestive problems, infections, arthritis, tooth decay, osteoporosis, digestive problems, etc. X-Rays can also detect problems impacting the lungs and check the position and effect of swallowed objects.
In short, X-Rays are really valuable medical tests. Digital X-Ray has also become quite popular in recent times. The simplicity of X-Rays has also made them readily available. So much so that booking an X-Ray at home has become only a piece of cake. However, the patient must be aware of a few characteristics of the X-Ray procedure. This can help them physically and mentally prepare before a test.
- The patient will be briefed about the procedure well ahead of the X-Ray date. Most X-Ray procedures are simple, and not much is required from the patient’s side.
- The patient will also be asked to wear something comfortable and flexible or offer a hospital gown, depending on the type of X-Ray. Remember, during the procedure, you will be asked to move positions to get the X-Ray footage from different angles.
- Apart from the outfit, the patient will be required to remove any jewellery they are wearing or any metal they carry with them. This is because metal substances may end up reacting with the X-Ray proceeding. So, patients with metal implants, such as a pacemaker, will be required to inform their doctor about the condition. Metal implants will deliberately block the electromagnetic radiations from passing through the body, leading to unclear images in the result.
- Similarly, pregnant women are also supposed to inform doctors about recent development. At the same time, the amount of radiation used in an X-Ray procedure is considered to be very low and comparatively less harmful than the effects they offer. However, even if the radiation from X-Rays is not harmful to an adult human, it can harm the fetus and infants to some extent. So, telling your doctor at the start of the evaluation will make them aware of the situation and they will act accordingly by proceeding with other imaging options that promise no harm.
- In the aftermath of an X-Ray, if the results are not fruitful enough, the radiologist may ask for another sitting. They will consult with your doctor, and if permitted, they will ask you to drink the contrast dye or ingest it in the area of the body that requires an X-Ray. The contrast dye helps take clear internal images, and the doctors can also monitor the movement and flow of the contrast dye to understand certain think and note any unusual activity captured in the lens. In other cases, contrast dye ingestion may be part of the process. The contrast dye may be good for taking good X-Ray pictures, but it can leave a few side effects. This includes vomiting, itching, nausea, and a metallic taste in your mouth.
- The procedure is typically performed in a hospital or medical facility. The procedure is conducted under the strict supervision of a radiologist and a doctor. Some of the X-Rays procedures can be performed at home with portable equipment. However, this is not possible for all kinds of X-Ray procedures. Special X-Rays may require certain equipment that is not portable and is only available in a medical facility. However, as technology advances, there is hope for more home services.
- The radiologist or the doctor assigned to monitor the entire process will also be your guide throughout the time. They will instruct the patient to sit, lie, or stand in certain positions, which will be apt for taking the X-Ray image. This can go on for several minutes, and the patient must be cooperative enough to follow instructions and shift promptly. The patient will also be asked to remain still and may even have to hold their breath to take the picture without hesitation.
- Specifically for the X-Ray of the gastrointestinal tract, the patient may be asked to fast for certain hours before the test is performed. This includes solid food and some liquid substances such as coffee and alcohol. They will also have to inform doctors about their medical history and the medications they are currently on. As a result, the doctor will know which medications may have an additional impact on the test results, and they will ask you to refrain from them before the test.
3 Popular X-Ray Procedures
Initially, X-Ray was developed as a tool for imaging bones in the body. Over the years, technological and medical advancements expanded the range of X-Rays to look for other conditions. X-rays can detect, monitor different health conditions, and expose specific body parts to radiation. The image produced in the X-Ray procedure helps the doctor recognise problems affecting the body from the inside and not showing off on the surface level.
It was hard for doctors to identify problems that were not visible and start the right treatment. X-Ray was a revolutionary invention with over 100 years of establishment. As we have said, different X-Rays are available; for once, they can be categorised based on the procedure.
In an X-Ray procedure, the machine produces electromagnetic radiation at a low amount, which either gets absorbed by the area of the body that has been exposed to the rays and the rest just passes through. Denser particles absorb the rays and produce stark white imaging, while less dense body portions such as gases and fluids appear in dark patches. There are three distinct ways to conduct X-Rays. The procedures are discussed and explained below.
1. Radiography
Radiography is a common technology used in Radiology to identify problems and offer treatment for a condition that can not be traced on the surface. It is the most basic form of X-Rays, mostly associated with the revelation of broken bones in the body. It uses the lowest amount of radiation but the static images produced are greatly effective.
2. Fluoroscopy
X-Rays are known for producing static images, but Fluoroscopy goes an extra mile. In this case, the radiologist or technicians assigned to assist the entire procedure can carefully notice the patient’s movements while on X-Ray and take snapshots of the same in real-time. In Fluoroscopy, the radiation is passed through the body for some time and records the movements instead of capturing static images.
Fluoroscopy uses a relatively higher amount of radiation than a standard X-Ray procedure. The patient is often ingested with contrast dye, mostly barium. Under this state, the test takes note of the activities of the gut or the movement of the dye or even other instruments.
3. Computed Tomography (CT)
Computed Tomography or CT Scans are considered to be computerized X-Rays that are known for producing cross-section images or slices. Under this procedure, the patient must lie on a table or a stretcher attached to the CT scan machine. First, the table will gradually move inside the ring-shaped scanner area. Then, a narrow X-Ray will be emitted from the machine and quickly be projected on the patient’s body, rotating in all directions.
The machine captures numerous tomographic images in one setting, which requires the procedure to use a significant amount of radiation compared to other popular methods. When the technician has all the required images, they can stack them up digitally, and create a three-dimensional or 3D image of the body. Naturally, the 3D image allows more insight into the patient’s body and identifies abnormalities on the same note.
These are the basic X-Ray procedures commonly used for identifying and monitoring numerous health conditions.
X Rays- Types And Specialisations
There are other ways to categorize X-Rays, based on the suspected illness. X-Rays for specific body parts or special conditions are many. Doctors mostly ask for a specified X-Ray, other than a full-body scan, for monitoring conditions that affect a significantly large portion of the body.
Here is a list of specialized X-Rays, that doctors may ask you to get individually done or in a certain combination. Most X-Ray procedures can be conducted at home. Otherwise, you can always visit the facility to get more help. So, without further ado, let us take a brief look at the X-Ray types specified for different areas of the body.
Abdominal X-Ray
As the name states, this X-Ray procedure is performed on the abdomen area. This specialized X-Ray looks at the organs such as the spleen, stomach, and many other things naturally inside the body. The doctors look for anything unusual compared to the normal standard.
There is also a version of the Abdominal X-Ray known as KUB (Kidney, Uterus, and Bladder). For conducting an Abdominal X-Ray, the machine is placed specifically over the abdomen area, which gets exposed to the ionizing radiation produced from the X-Ray machine. The dense body parts absorb some radiation, and the rest passes through the body producing the black and white image on the test report.
Barium X-Ray
Barium enema or Barium X-Ray is a special X-Ray conducted on the large intestine. This procedure carefully notices the colon and rectum. For this procedure, the patient must clear their colon before proceeding for the X-Ray. The doctor or medical assistant will be there to advise you on emptying the colon.
The patient must lie on their side when the procedure starts. Then, the doctor will insert a tube inside your rectum as gently as possible. The tube will be well-lubricated to avoid any discomfort. Next, a bag is attached to the tube’s other end, containing the contrast dye or barium sulfate. This dye is inserted inside the colon, and the computer screen monitors the flow.
When the dye passes through, it highlights specific portions of the colon. The patient may be asked to shift positions and to take images from different angles. Air may be inserted to inflate the colon for clear images, and the patient may be asked to hold their breath for the same reason. After the procedure is completed, the tube will be removed, and the patient will be provided with a bedpan or taken to the toilet to empty their bowels. The doctor may take a few images after the contrast dye is out of the system.
Bone X-Ray
Bone X-Rays were the very first kind of X-Ray used in the history of medical science. As mentioned before, from the primitive days of the invention to almost a century afterward, X-Rays were used predominantly for bone scans. For studying bones through the X-Ray procedure, there is no penetration required in most cases.
Chest X-Ray
A Chest X-Ray is for the chest area and the organs inside it. It includes arteries, the diaphragm, the heart, lungs, and ribs. In this procedure, the patient will be asked to stand in front of the X-Ray machine. The machine will be positioned around the chest area, and the patient may be asked to stay perfectly still and even hold their breath. Then there will be another image that will be taken from the side angle.
Dental X-Ray
Dental X-Rays are performed on the teeth and mouth area. As the teeth are almost as dense as the bones, they appear grey or white on the X-Ray results. Mostly the test has to be performed at a dentist’s office. Different types of dental X-Ray are available for understanding and studying different problems.
- Bitewing is a type of dental X-Ray where the patient is handed a biting tab and asked to bite on it. It leaves the teeth impression on the tab. This technique especially reveals the crown portions of the upper and lower teeth cavity clenched together for a bite.
- In the periapical test, one or two complete images of the crown to the root area are captured.
- Another type of dental X-Ray is Palatal or Occlusal. This procedure also takes a wide shot of the upper and lower teeth cavity. Again, the image is captured from the biting surface.
- The Panoramic test uses a rotating X-Ray machine. It goes around the head and captures the images of the jaw and teeth in one shot. This procedure is mostly used for checking dental implants, jaw problems and the impact of wisdom teeth. The panoramic X-Ray is advised only in cases of serious cavity damages.
- For the side of the face, especially the jaws, a Cephalometric test is used. It checks the positioning and movement of the jaw in relation to other structures in the mouth. This procedure is also used for identifying and monitoring airway problems.
There are also digital dental X-Ray procedures that use lesser radiation compared to the traditional method. There are also ways to get three-dimensional (3D) jaw imaging. Another procedure is called Cone beam computerized tomography or CBCT, which is used mostly in dental surgical procedures.
Extremity X-Ray
The term ‘extremity’ here refers to a human limb. Hence, the extremity X-Ray takes images of several body parts, that includes the ankle, feet, forearms, hands, hip, legs, shoulder, thigh, and wrist, covering the entire area. Like any other X-Ray procedure, the patient will be asked to stay still during the images are being taken. They will also have to follow the doctor’s instructions and change their position so images can be taken from other angles.
Hand X-Ray
As the name suggests, the hand X-Ray is the imaging of a single or both hands. This is one of the simplest procedures as the patient must only place their hand on the X-Ray table and hold it in a specific position. Several images of the hands will be taken from different positions and stored in the computer.
Joint X-Ray
Joints are important connectors of the body; they often get injured or damaged and also deteriorate with age. Joint X-ray takes the image of different joints in the human body, such as the ankle, hip, knee, shoulder and other joints. This also requires the patient to follow the instructions and place the body part on the X-Ray to acquire the images.
Lumbosacral Spine X-Ray
The lower portion of our spine, connecting the spine to the pelvis, is known as the lumbar region and the sacrum. The lower spine area contains small bones or vertebrae, and the Lumbosacral spine X-Ray take images of these bone structure. The X-Ray machine is placed near the lower spine area of the patient, and they are asked to hold their breath during imaging.
Neck X-Ray
The upper portion starting at the neck contains seven bones that are cumulatively called the cervical vertebrae. So the neck X-Ray is focused on the cervical vertebrae area. You can visit a centre to get the X-Ray done or book a home service.
Pelvis X-Ray
The pelvis area is below the waist length, where the legs meet the body. Hence, the Pelvis X-Ray looks at the hip bones and captures the same images. The doctor will look for any unusuality in the images taken during the X-Ray procedure. The patient will be asked to position their body in a way suitable for taking pictures of the pelvis from certain angles.
Skull X-Ray
The human skull houses the most valuable body part, and that is the human brain. Therefore, the skull X-Ray naturally takes the image of the things inside the skull. To be specific, this kind of X-Ray generally, takes images of the facial bones, nose, sinus and the bones surrounding the brain.
Thoracic Spine X-Ray
The middle area of the spine contains 12 thoracic vertebrae or 12 chest bones. Each of the bones in the spine is separated by flat padded cartilages. These cartilages are known as discs, and they are cushions between the bones.
Upper GI & Small Bowel Series
For the Upper GI & Small Bowel X-Ray, there is a series of images taken of the oesophagus, small intestines and the stomach. Often this type of X-Ray uses barium as a contrast dye. Hence, these two procedures can be correlated. The contrast dye helps in taking clear images of the insides. The fluoroscopy technique is used here to understand the movement of the contrast dye after being ingested. The patient will also be asked to shift a few positions to get images of the barium flow through different organs inside the belly.
X-Ray Of The Skeleton
A Skeleton X-Ray is typically limited to capturing images of the bones all over the body. This sort of X-Ray can detect conditions related to bones, such as fractures and tumours. It may also be used for monitoring degenerative bones in the body and their progression.Portable X-Ray Services
An X-Ray can not be conducted without the machine and equipment. This is why the patient is often asked to visit the nearest medical facility to participate in the test. However, some patients cannot visit a facility, in such cases, portability becomes a necessity.
With digital advancement, this has been made possible to some extent. Some of the types mentioned above can now be performed at home. And portable machines have been the solution to the problem. For example, chest X-Rays are have become quite common at home.
Chest X-ray At Home Near Me
There are different types of X-Rays available for looking at specific parts of the patient’s body and understanding the flaws inside them causing utter pain and discomfort. For example, when the patient is experiencing any problem in their chest area, such as pain or trouble breathing, the doctor may ask them to get a chest X-Ray for a better understanding of the situation.
Risks Associated With X-Ray
There is some level of risk attached to our day-to-day lives, and radiation is one source of it. This is the very thought that contributed to the rapid growth of X-Ray procedures all across the world. Medical experts have wrecked their brains discussing the risk X-Rays as the body gets exposed to harmful radiation.
Instead of focusing on the risk factors associated with X-Rays, there is no harm in looking at it from a different perspective. That is to say, what if the benefits outweigh the risk? Naturally, radiation can be found in the air, rocks, soil, water, vegetation, and many more objects. Radon happens to be the largest source of radiation on the planet. On top of it, cosmic radiation is constantly hitting the planet, which is almost similar to X-Rays and is virtually harmless.
However, assumptions and beliefs aside, exposure to X-Rays for a longer duration may cause mutation in the DNA, thus, increasing the chance of developing cancer in the long run. Therefore, even though the benefits of X-Rays may be far too important to take a little risk, it is also valuable to know that the World Health Organisation (WHO) officially considers X-Rays to be categorized as carcinogens.
Studies have also concluded that age may be considered a risk factor for X-Rays, especially the risk of developing cancer. There is a risk associated with every type of X-Ray available out there. Children are also more at risk of being exposed to X-Rays for a long duration.
There are not many side effects of X-Rays that are known commonly. The only harmful factor in an X-Ray procedure is the radiation. We may be exposed to radiation all the time. Still, concentrated radiation from X-Rays over a longer period can have immediate side effects such as bleeding, fainting, hair loss, vomiting, and many more.
X-Ray At Home Charges
The charges associated with X-Rays can fluctuate based on a number of factors. For instance, the prices could differ based on the facility and the amenities offered. Most obviously, charges for different X-Ray procedures may also differ. Other than that, the geographical location also plays a crucial role in the X-Ray charges. Star Imaging Home Healthcare Pvt. Ltd offers the most affordable pricing for its doorstep X-Ray facilities.
Looking For ‘Home X-Ray Services Near Me’? Here Is Your Answer!
As we have said numerous times, X-Rays are readily available for medical tests worldwide; thus, there are governmental to private medical facilities where you can surely find your locality. However, not all facilities offer home service. So, you ought to ensure that the facility has home services available at the time and then only book for the test. If you are a resident of Delhi, Star Imaging Home Healthcare Pvt. Ltd can be the best place to look for home X Rays
X-Ray At Home Facility Available In Delhi NCR.
In a digitally advanced world, the patient can go online to search for X-Ray home services near them and book a slot with the best facility available. The facility will send a professional radiologist and technicians to set up the equipment at your home and take the images.
They will take the footage to the lab, and once they are developed, they can either digitally send them over, send a physical copy, or ask you to collect the results from the facility on the due date. Delhi is the capital of India; thus, it must have advanced medical facilities, so it is not tough to look for X-Ray home facilities in Delhi NCR. Star Imaging Home Healthcare Pvt. Ltd is one renowned name when it comes to robust healthcare services in Delhi! Contact the team for doorstep X-Ray services!