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Medical Edge Newspaper Column from Mayo Clinic

BENEFITS OF X-RAYS OUTWEIGH THE MINIMAL RISK

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: Are there any side effects from having an X-ray examination? What is done to prevent side effects and damage that could be caused by X-rays? — Chehalis, Wash.

ANSWER: Appropriate use of X-rays adds tremendous value to patient care. They can help diagnose broken bones, arthritis, artery blockages, cancer, dental problems, sinus infections and many other conditions. They can even show you if an adventurous toddler in your house swallowed something he or she shouldn’t have.

As you suggest, there can be side effects from excessive exposure to X-rays. X-rays are radiation — a form of radiant energy similar to light waves or radio waves. The energy imparted by X-rays can damage tissues in the body, especially those that are dividing rapidly, such as the bone marrow, the inner surface of the gastrointestinal tract, germ cells in the gonads and the cells of a fetus. In addition, exposure to large amounts of radiation can, years later, promote the development of several different cancers.

We are all exposed to small amounts of radiation every day from the earth and the atmosphere. An average person in the United States takes in about 3 millisievert of radiation every year from natural surroundings. To compare, radiation from a chest X-ray (0.1 mSv) is about the same as 10 days’ worth of radiation from natural sources. Computed tomography (CT) scans and fluoroscopy use higher doses of X-rays.

Advances in technology over the more than 100 years that X-rays have been available have minimized the potential side effects. These include the ability to obtain good images with smaller amounts of radiation, using smaller windows of exposure so that only the area of interest is pictured and covering areas that do not need to be imaged with a lead apron. The amount of radiation in X-rays today is so small that the risk of cell damage in your body is very low.

Because there is a small risk of damage to the fetus, if you are pregnant or think you might be, make certain your care provider knows before any X-rays are obtained. Your doctor might want to use a different diagnostic test instead.

In summary, the benefits of appropriately ordered radiology exams dramatically outweigh the small risk associated with X-ray exposure.

— Stephen Swensen, M.D., Diagnostic Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.

Additional Resources:
X-Ray Examinations
More Information on X-ray Examinations

READERS: Tired all of the time? Most often, fatigue is a result of lifestyle factors such as poor sleep, stress or a schedule that’s too full. The Mayo Clinic Health Letter offers suggestions to fight fatigue:

— Manage stress. Learn to say no. Set priorities. Pace yourself. Take time each day to simply relax.

— Be active. Try to get at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity each day.

— Eat well. A low-fat, high-fiber breakfast prepares your body for the day’s demands. Limit high-fat and high-sugar foods, which tend to make you feel sluggish later.

— Avoid alcohol. Alcohol depresses your central nervous system and acts as a sedative, making you tired for hours after consuming even small amounts.

— Practice good sleep habits. Avoid eating, reading or watching TV in bed. Keep your bedroom cool, dark and quiet. Set your alarm for the same time each day — a routine will help establish a regular schedule. Naps are OK, but keep them short and early in the day.

Dramatic or prolonged fatigue may be the sign of an underlying medical problem. If lifestyle changes don’t seem to help, see your doctor. Some common medical causes of fatigue are anemia, cancer, depression or other mood disorders, diabetes, infections, restless legs syndrome, sleep apnea, thyroid problems and even heart attack. A recent study found that the most common early warning sign that women experience before a heart attack is unusual fatigue.

Additional Resources:
More Information on Fatigue
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

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Medical Edge from Mayo Clinic is an educational resource and doesn’t replace regular medical care. To e-mail a question, go to www.mayoclinic.org, or write: Medical Edge from Mayo Clinic, c/o TMS, 2225 Kenmore Ave., Suite 114, Buffalo, N.Y., 14207. For health information, visit www.mayoclinic.com.