Sometimes, blood work and a physical exam do not provide enough clues for a doctor to figure out what’s causing your symptoms. When a doctor needs more information to make an accurate diagnosis, they’ll use an image-producing diagnostic tool, such as an x-ray. Here are the different types of commonly ordered medical x-rays and the reasons why they are performed.
Chest X-Ray
If you’re having trouble breathing, experiencing a persistent cough or feeling pain in your chest, your doctor may order a chest x-ray. A chest x-ray takes an image of your upper body and the bones and organs inside, including the heart, lungs and ribs. With a chest x-ray, your doctor will look for conditions such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, lung cancer, heart size problems, rib or spine fractures, or any chest or lung disease.
Your chest x-ray will allow your doctor to quickly and easily look at some of your body’s vital organs.
Abdominal X-Ray
An x-ray of the abdomen provides a look at organs such as the intestines, stomach and spleen. Your doctor might order an abdominal x-ray if you are suffering from unexplained stomach pain or nausea. This tool will help them identify conditions that might be causing your discomfort, such as kidney stones, an intestinal blockage or any injury to abdominal tissue.
After your doctor examines your x-ray and finds the cause for your abdominal pain, they can help you feel healthy again, or order further testing if needed.
Kidney, Ureter and Bladder X-Ray
A kidney, ureter and bladder (KUB) x-ray is taken to look for issues in the urinary system as well as gastrointestinal problems. This may be the first test used to diagnose a urinary condition.
With this type of x-ray, your doctor can evaluate your urinary tract and gain insight into the shape, size and position of your kidneys, ureters and bladder. They may determine the presence of kidney or ureteral stones or other reasons for your symptoms.
Depending on the view needed, you may be told to stand, lie flat or be situated on your side during the x-ray, and you may have to switch positions. A trained technologist will be available to help you feel comfortable throughout the procedure.
Neck X-Ray
If you’re experiencing persistent pain, numbness or weakness in your neck, your doctor might order a neck x-ray. A neck x-ray enables a doctor to view the vertebrae, or spinal bones, in your neck. They can use the x-ray to look for a bone fracture, dislocated joint, infection or inflammation. If a doctor suspects nerve issues or problems with the discs in your spine, they may order an MRI. An MRI is an imaging test that excels at providing highly detailed images of the body’s soft tissues.
Joint X-Ray
A joint x-ray is used to investigate discomfort in your knees, shoulders, hips, ankles or wrists. Your doctor will look for signs of arthritis, fractures, inflammation and numerous other conditions that may cause joint pain such as gout, osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. The technologist will help you position the joint so they can capture an accurate image. They may need to reposition the joint in a few poses to get more pictures.
Skull X-Ray
If you experienced a head injury or show symptoms of a skull-related condition, your doctor might order a skull x-ray. A skull x-ray enables your doctor to check the many bones of your head structure, such as facial bones and cranial bones. They can look for conditions such as tumors, sinus or ear infections, fractures, bone loss or soft tissue movement within the skull.
ECG at home (portable) We offer 12-Lead ECG right at the comfort of your home
Electrocardiography is the process of producing an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), a recording of the heart's electrical activity through repeated cardiac cycles. It is an electro gram of the heart which is a graph of voltage versus time of the electrical activity of the heart[5] using electrodes placed on the skin. These electrodes detect the small electrical changes that are a consequence of cardiac muscle depolarization followed by repolarization during each cardiac cycle (heartbeat). Changes in the normal ECG pattern occur in numerous cardiac abnormalities, including cardiac rhythm disturbances (such as atrial fibrillation[6] and ventricular tachycardia[7]), inadequate coronary artery blood flow (such as myocardial ischemia[8] and myocardial infarction[9]), and electrolyte disturbances (such as hypokalemia] and hyperkalemia[11]).
In a conventional 12-lead ECG, ten electrodes are placed on the patient's limbs and on the surface of the chest. The overall magnitude of the heart's electrical potential is then measured from twelve different angles ("leads") and is recorded over a period of time (usually ten seconds). In this way, the overall magnitude and direction of the heart's electrical depolarization is captured at each moment throughout the cardiac cycle
You may need an ECG if you have any of the following signs and symptoms:
- Chest pain.
- Dizziness, lightheadedness or confusion.
- Heart palpitations.
- Rapid pulse.
- Shortness of breath.
- Weakness, fatigue or a decline in ability to exercise.
- ABG: Arterial Blood Gas
- VBG: Venous Blood Gas
ABG is done to check the oxygen count in blood, pH balance and for people having breathing problems.
VBG is done to evaluate oxygen and carbon dioxide gas exchange and respiratory functions.
This test is also performed for the patients who have problems related to kidney.
Related to heart
When a patient has any symptoms of heart attack or complains about chest pain, this test is performed. Mostly this test is done to see if a heart attack has occurred.
Related to heart
When a patient has any symptoms of heart attack or complains about chest pain, this test is performed. Mostly this test is done to see if a heart attack has occurred.
Related to heart
When a patient has any symptoms of heart attack or complains about chest pain, this test is performed. Mostly this test is done to see if a heart attack has occurred.