have we ever talked about xrays?

meedy8

maybe a weird question.  i think/worry about my radiation exposure when i go to the dentist when they take the xrays of my teeth (is this really necessary??).  i also work in the neonatal intensive care unit where they bring in the xray machines to take shots of the infants ("they say" that as long as you're 6-feet away, you're safe from xray exposure).

anyone else worry about xray exposure or am i a wack-job?

CDMay2006

Adults don't need dental x-rays very often.  Kids don't necessarily, either, but because their mouths are changing shape it makes more sense.  I avoid  xrays when possible: if an x-ray is suggested i ask how important it is and ask the dr to discuss the risks of not having one and they have been comfortable forgoing it.  However, when i have had an x-ray, the tech always leaves the room and when i've been with someone else who's had it done, i've had to stand behind a wall and/or wear a lead vest.  They also require you to confirm you aren't pregnant, but i don't know what precautions are taken if one is pregnant and needs x-rays.  So, no actual research, but just my thoughts and experiences with it...

cheer1uca

You are def. not a wack-job! I am a dental hygiene student and I get this question all the time! Dentists usually prefer to take 4 x-rays once a year to check for cavities, bone levels, etc.

Here is a link if you are interested...

http://www.ada.org/sections/professionalResources/pdfs/report_radiography.pdf

MrsBrownsFan

I also work in the NICU!  If I am holding a baby in position during an x-ray, I wear a lead apron.  Otherwise, I just step back about 6 feet, and I feel that is good.  The x-ray is very well-directed toward the patient, and the amount of radiation they use for the baby x-rays is really small, so I don't worry about it.

I also get my dental x-rays once each year, and again I wear a lead apron.  I have only ever gotten x-rays three other times in my life (one chest and two different ankle x-rays), so I feel my exposure from that has been low.  I would think twice about getting a CT scan, however, as that is a major amount of radiation.  I would have to have a compelling reason to get one. 

Mrs.MauiBride24

If you were in a job where you were exposed to a lot of radiation, you would be required to wear a radiation badge so the fact that you don't means that you are probably pretty safe.  Personally, I don't worry too much about it.

If you are concerned or want more information, contact your hospital's radiation safety officer.

CutesBoots

Mrs.MauiBride24:

If you were in a job where you were exposed to a lot of radiation, you would be required to wear a radiation badge so the fact that you don't means that you are probably pretty safe.  Personally, I don't worry too much about it.

If you are concerned or want more information, contact your hospital's radiation safety officer.

I agree.  I have a friend who is an x-ray technician, and she wears a radiation badge.

foundmylazybum

I just wear my tinfoil hat to any situation where an x-ray might be necessary. That doubles as my badge.

annabelle.27

I've sort of wondered about this... my son has had to have several x-rays over the past year and I've wondered about possible side effects. He screams his head off during them and although I know it's probably just because it's a strange situation, I do sometimes let my imagination get away from me and worry that they're actually doing something to him.

milkrations

I don't think too much about it. I don't think any doctor, at lease none of the doctors I've had, orders x-rays just for fun. Aside from routine dental x-rays, I've only ever had them done for broken bones and such. I've felt that the benefit far outweighs the risk.

kchick

xrays are pretty low risk - it's the CT (cat) scans you have to worry about.  One CT of the abdomen has the radiation equivalent of 400 chest xrays, a CT of the head is equivalent to 100-200.  I personally do not worry about 1-2 xrays every few years.  You likely get more radiation simply from the environment.

kchick

kchick:

xrays are pretty low risk - it's the CT (cat) scans you have to worry about.  One CT of the abdomen has the radiation equivalent of 400 chest xrays, a CT of the head is equivalent to 100-200.  I personally do not worry about 1-2 xrays every few years.  You likely get more radiation simply from the environment.

I actually just found this website that goes into even more detail.  And look at the bottom, the far right column with equivalent time of natural background radiation - you get the equivalent radiation just from living every 2-3 days as one xray.

http://www.fda.gov/Radiation-EmittingProducts/RadiationEmittingProductsandProcedures/MedicalImaging/MedicalX-Rays/ucm115329.htm

meedy8

kchick:

kchick:

xrays are pretty low risk - it's the CT (cat) scans you have to worry about.  One CT of the abdomen has the radiation equivalent of 400 chest xrays, a CT of the head is equivalent to 100-200.  I personally do not worry about 1-2 xrays every few years.  You likely get more radiation simply from the environment.

I actually just found this website that goes into even more detail.  And look at the bottom, the far right column with equivalent time of natural background radiation - you get the equivalent radiation just from living every 2-3 days as one xray.

http://www.fda.gov/Radiation-EmittingProducts/RadiationEmittingProductsandProcedures/MedicalImaging/MedicalX-Rays/ucm115329.htm

 

wow this is nuts!  thanks for sharing everyone.