There is a lot of information out there about x-rays and it can be quite confusing. If you aren’t in tune with the technology behind x-rays then you may find yourself feeling confused and even vulnerable.
1. Infants will get radiation poisoning from going through an x-ray machine. It is definitely not recommended that an infant get an x-ray unless absolutely necessary. The reality however is that unless there is some severe misuse of the x-ray technology, it will not cause poisoning in anyone including an infant. Do keep the x-rays at an early age to a minimum but don’t be afraid of poisoning if the necessity arises.
2. X-ray technology is the only type of radiation that will hurt you. There is always such a focus on x-ray technology as the source of all evil. Though radiation in any form can be harmful, it’s not just limited to the type used in x-rays. You should be careful about the radiation that you are exposed to and that can happen in your everyday life. It does have some very helpful applications, but radiation in any form can cause harm at some point.
3. Too much radiation will cause you to become ill. Too much of anything, including radiation, isn’t good for you. The reality is that it can alter the cells within your body, but unless done improperly x-rays don’t generally cause you to become sick. If you are becoming sick after an x-ray then there is likely something else going on because that is a very uncommon reaction.
4. X-rays too often will cause you to become sterile. The truth is that x-rays are not necessarily good for fertility issues, but that’s only if there is a lot of them performed. X-rays do have radiation and that can be involved in certain fertility issues, but you would have to be getting a lot of x-rays for it to be the main cause. It is always wise to cover the areas when getting an x-ray as a precaution, but that’s just a safeguard.
5. A pregnant woman who gets an x-ray will inevitably miscarry. There is the chance that an unborn child may have birth defects if exposed to the radiation in an x-ray. There is also the chance that x-rays can cause miscarriage in some cases, but this is an extreme and not a certainty. Pregnant women are advised against getting x-rays but there is nothing to say that an x-ray will certainly cause a miscarriage.
6. An x-ray at the doctor’s office will likely cause severe headaches. Again there is usually no direct impact or reaction from getting an x-ray. The body may react to other factors that caused you to get the x-ray but you don’t usually develop side effects like a headache or nausea.
7. There is a direct link from x-rays to the development of cancer. What happens during an x-ray after prolonged exposure or frequency is that the cells in the body are altered. This altering of the cells is what can lead to cancer and therefore the link that we all hear about. No you shouldn’t get too many x-rays too often because cancer can come about, but it is due to the cells altering and nothing else.
8. X-rays can cause severe damage to breast milk in a nursing mother. There is no evidence to show that a woman who is breastfeeding can develop issues with her breast milk after an x-ray. It is wise to be careful during this stage but there is nothing to show that the breast milk will become tainted.
There are so many things out there about x-rays and it can be confusing. These myths are dispelled and explained and hopefully bring about peace of mind.
Mary Frederick blogs about many online schools that offer programs for becoming an xray tech.