Urgent Care Treatment with X-Rays

X-Rays are used to diagnose a wide variety of conditions that may require immediate attention. X-rays help doctors see inside the body to find issues that can’t be seen by just looking at a person. We examine each patient to determine if an x-ray is the best option to diagnose or monitor your condition.

Some common reasons for an x-ray include:

Yes! It makes it easier for us to find out what’s wrong and decide on the treatment faster. In fact, we can do more than just take x-rays at Founders Family Medicine and Urgent Care. We offer diagnosis and treatment for a wide range of medical issues, including chronic conditions and urgent care.

Founders Family Medicine is a full-service medical office with on-site x-ray and lab services. Whether you’ve had an accident with an injured bone or suffer from shortness of breath, our healthcare team will examine you, review your medical history, and recommend the necessary tests to make an accurate diagnosis. This mix of diagnostic and treatment services in one place helps manage patient health better and leads to better health outcomes.

The actual x-ray process should only last about 10 minutes.

You will likely feel some pressure while the technician takes the images. There might even be a small amount of radiation exposure involved with this procedure. However, most people experience no ill effects from these types of exposures.

After the x-ray, doctors will look at the images right away. They will talk to you about what the x-ray imaging shows and what steps to take next. This helps make sure you get the right care quickly.

To ensure a smooth and efficient x-ray procedure, proper preparation is key for both patient comfort and the accuracy of the images. Patients should first tell the medical team about any medical conditions, allergies, or if they might be pregnant to reduce risks from exposure to radiation.

Wearing loose clothing or a hospital gown and removing metal objects like jewelry helps prevent anything from interfering with the x-ray images.

Patients should also follow the specific instructions given by the x-ray team. For example, some x-rays, like those of the stomach, may require fasting. Following these guidelines is important for getting clear and accurate results.

The imaging team might ask patients to empty their bladder before the procedure to make the images clearer.

Good communication between patients and the medical team is important. Patients will get clear instructions on how to position themselves and when to hold their breath to get the best images. Knowing these steps helps reduce radiation exposure and improves the quality of the x-ray.

Careful preparation by both patients and the medical team helps make x-ray services effective and safe.

The process of getting an x-ray involves placing the patient in the right position to get a clear image of the targeted area while keeping radiation exposure low. First, the patient is asked to stand, sit, or lie down on an exam table, depending on what part of the body needs to be imaged. Our radiologic technologist, who is trained to perform x-rays, will then adjust the x-ray machine and the patient’s body to get the needed views.

During the x-ray, the care team ensures that radiation exposure is as low as possible while still getting a good image for diagnosis. Modern x-ray machines use advanced technology to create high-quality images that help doctors diagnose and plan treatments effectively.

Our most common requests for x-rays are to check for fractures and pneumonia. Yet, we use x-rays regularly to diagnose other conditions.

Here’s a list of some of the most common diagnoses made using x-rays:

X-rays create detailed pictures that help doctors see bone fractures clearly, which is important for proper treatment and healing.

For lung infections like pneumonia, x-rays show areas where fluid has built up, helping doctors act quickly. Heart issues, like heart failure and chest pain, can also be checked with x-rays. An enlarged heart, known as cardiomegaly, often shows up on chest x-rays and helps doctors understand heart conditions better.

Exposure to x-rays, even though typically small, can have side effects, especially with frequent or high doses. The main worry is the total amount of radiation someone might get over time, which can raise the risk of cancer. This is because x-rays are a type of ionizing radiation that can harm DNA and possibly cause cancer.

The health effects of radiation depend on how much and how often someone is exposed. One x-ray usually involves a small dose of radiation, but multiple x-rays can add up and increase the risk.

The most important side effects include:

Knowing these side effects helps doctors and patients make smart choices about when and how often to use x-ray imaging, making sure the benefits are greater than the risks.

After the x-ray is done, our doctors carefully look at the images to spot any problems and make a correct diagnosis. This review is very important to make sure the findings are understood correctly and the diagnosis is right.

• Comparing Images: Looking at current x-rays with old ones to see if there are any changes.
• Consulting Specialists: Getting opinions from different doctors in tough cases.
• Making Detailed Reports: Writing clear reports that include what was found, possible diagnoses, and next steps.

Doctors check the images for signs of serious problems like pneumonia, broken bones, or heart issues, which are common in emergency settings. Accurate reviews are crucial since they affect treatment and patient health.