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The x-rays is a widely used technology in the medical community. The images doctors can obtain from an x-ray can help them to diagnose and treat their patients. Some people, however, are apprehensive about getting an x-ray. For those that are, here are 5 alternatives to getting an x-ray.

1. MRI – An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is a very accurate way to examine the inside soft tissue areas of the body. It allows a doctor to see the differences in the soft tissue which can tell them a lot about what may be wrong with their patients. The process is completely painless and radiation free. You do, however, have to be inside the machine which is very small. If you’re claustrophobic, you might want to ask your doctor to prescribe some sort of muscle relaxer before you have the procedure done. The procedure takes for 30 to 60 minutes to complete.

2. Ultrasound – An ultrasound exam uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of structures on the inside of the body. These images help doctors to properly treat their patient’s based on the information they glean from the ultrasound images. It is completely safe and painless, and you don’t have to be inside a machine. The imaging is, however, limited. An ultrasound isn’t able to provide images of all areas of the body. As such, further testing may be required.

3. An alternative to a mammogram (A form of x-ray) is monthly self- breast examinations. Monthly self-examinations have detected most breast cancers, even among those women that have mammograms. Your doctor can show you the proper procedure to examine your breasts. It is recommended that you perform the examination while standing in the shower or lying on your back.

4. Another alternative to the x-ray is what’s called Thermography. This procedure used equipment that is heat-sensitive to photograph how much energy the body emits. A tumor will demand more of the body’s blood. As such, areas that doctors call hotspots show up more readily. These hot spots don’t necessarily mean that there is a cancer present, but they are areas that can be looked into further for official diagnosis. Thermograms require no radiation and are completely painless because during the process nothing comes in contact with the body.

5. The last alternative is called Computerized Regulation Thermography. It sounds similar to the previously mentioned thermography, but it’s slightly different. This procedure uses a small pen-like device that measures the body’s skin temperature at 112 different point locations, including the face, torso, and arms. Once the first readings are taken, the body is allowed to cool for ten minutes, and then the readings are taken again to record any temperature changes. The information can give the doctor an indication as to organ function. What it does is measure the autonomic nervous system which can allow a doctor to detect underlying disturbances that may be indicators of disease. The procedure takes approximately 30 minutes and the results are immediate. It is 100% radiation-free.

Trudi Buck blogs about how to choose among radiology technician schools.

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