Roughly seven out of every ten Americans will get an X-ray of some sort over the calendar year. This test helps a physician to determine what might be going on in your body medically and provide a roadmap for a course of treatment. In fact, in some cases, the information derived from an X-ray can be lifesaving, particularly if the disease or condition is life threatening because of its very existence. However, X-rays are not always a necessary tool and the radiation exposure can be harmful. Therefore, it is a process about which it pays to be knowledgeable, so that you can make the most informed decision with your family physician about whether or not you really need one and what you can expect from the results.
It should be noted that the radiation received from an X-ray is minimal, but it is always good to minimize your risk to adverse effects when possible. Additionally, because of the high cost of these types of diagnostic tests, it pays to be knowledgeable about them, so that you can work with your family physician to determine how much you really need them. With the right family physician in Phoenix, such as Family Practice Specialists, it’s encouraging to know that these types of tests are only performed when absolutely needed. Consider a few things worth knowing about X-rays: