X-ray

Why an X-ray is done

An X-ray can be used to get images of many parts of the body, such as your:

• bones
• teeth
• lungs
• digestive system

An X-ray may be used to:

• check your bones for a fracture after an accident
• check for problems with your teeth, such as tooth decay
• find out if symptoms you are having could be caused by a condition, such as an infection or a blockage in your digestive system
• check if your child has swallowed something harmful, such as a battery
• help doctors see inside your body during a procedure

Types of X-ray

There are different types of X-ray that you can have.

Preparing for an X-ray

You will be told before your X-ray if there is anything you need to do to prepare for it.

Depending on the type of X-ray you are having, you may sometimes be asked to:

• not wear anything that has metal in it, such as jewellery, clothes with zips or poppers, bras or hair clips
• not eat or drink anything for several hours before the X-ray (fast)
• take a medicine the day before the X-ray that will make you poo

Tell the healthcare professional if you:

• are pregnant or might be pregnant
• are breastfeeding
• take any medicines
• have any allergies, or have had a previous reaction to barium, or a dye called contrast medium

What happens during an X-ray

Most X-rays are done in hospitals. Dental X-rays will usually be done in a dental surgery.

The health professional who does X-rays in hospital is called a radiographer.

Depending on the type of X-ray you’re having, you may be given an injection of a dye called a contrast medium, a drink of barium, or have barium put into your bowels by putting a tube into your bottom (barium enema).

The contrast agent can make you feel hot and flushed and you may feel like there's a metal taste in your mouth. These feelings should pass quickly.

Having the X-ray itself should only take a few minutes:

1. You may be asked to change into a gown, depending on the part of your body being X-rayed.
2. The X-ray machine will be lined up to the part of your body being X-rayed.
3. The person taking the X-ray (as well as any chaperone) will move behind a screen or leave the room.
4. You'll be asked to keep very still for a few seconds and 1 or more X-rays will be taken – you will not feel anything when this happens.
5. You may be asked to move into different positions, if different parts of your body need to be X-rayed.

After the X-ray

You can usually leave as soon as the X-ray is done.

If you were given barium or contrast medium, you may be asked to wait for up to 30 minutes to make sure you do not have a reaction to it.

Getting your X-ray results

You should be told when you’ll get the results of an X-ray.

This may be:

• on the same day as you have it
• at an appointment a few weeks after (if you’ve not heard anything after a few weeks, contact the doctor who referred you, or your GP)

A healthcare professional should explain the results of the X-ray and if any next steps are needed. This may include other tests.

Possible complications of X-rays

X-rays are usually very safe and serious complications are rare.

Some people can have an allergic reaction to the barium used in some types of X-ray. This can cause symptoms like breathing difficulties, dizziness and a skin rash.

You will be asked to wait at the hospital if there is a risk of a reaction. Staff are trained to treat these types of reaction if they do happen.

If you have lots of X-rays, then there is a very small risk that radiation from the X-rays could cause cancer.

Your doctor will assess the risks before offering you an X-ray, and discuss this with you.