CT scan stands for computed tomography and is a particular type of scan involving the use of advanced X-rays that come in contact with various muscles and tissues and provide users with the most pleasing image of the object in the path. These scans are mainly used to check a child’s internal injuries or growth inside a mother’s womb. The rays used in such scans are weak in strength compared to X-rays, making them suitable for various purposes.
What Is CT Scan And How Does It Work?
A particular type of machine is used in a CT scan, and the person is asked to sleep in it. The machine revolves around him and uses the SONAR technique to obtain the imaging of the body. The rays are released from the surface and strike at different intensities at different body parts. Then the monitor intercepts these rays at the other end, and the final image is formed. It requires ample knowledge of technical details and medical depth of w-radiology to comprehend the results of this machine.
The abdominal cavity is one of the most sensitive regions in the human body, and using X-rays on it can harm the person, so it’s reliable to use CT scans. The weaker strength rays of a CT scan can provide an in depth image of the human body as it strikes bones, muscles, tissues, and other body parts at different intensities. The concept of these rays is the wavelength; each body part has a different threshold for the wavelength, and based on the absorption rate of these wavelengths, the machine creates the final result.
Why Is There A Need For A CT Scan?
A CT scan can be a reliable choice when the physical examination has severe restrictions. Various symptoms indicate that you must consult a medical technician and ask for a CT scan, which is listed below.
- Feeling mass movement in the abdomen region
- Pain from kidney stones
- Sudden weight loss
- Abdominal Pain
- Swelling
- Intestinal Issues
- Appendicitis
- Cancer Diagnosis
CT scan would provide you with a better image of the muscle movement in your abdomen region and make it easier for medical experts to reach a reliable conclusion.
Steps To Keep In Mind Before Performing CT Scan
This process may seem simple, but it involves a lot of precautions and other requirements because these rays are weak in strength so that they can get absorbed from any surface in contact. Even wearing tight clothes can restrict blood flow and result in non reliable conclusions. So some tips are to be kept in mind to find the most efficient result of a CT scan.
- Prefer having a fast 3-4 hours before a scan.
- You must consult your doctor regarding the medications because some medications affect the body’s normal working and affect the process’s result.
- Wear loose medical clothes; in most cases, such medical gowns are provided by the hospital itself because they are soft and thin, making it easier for rays to penetrate.
- Do not wear reflective surfaces like eyeglasses, clips, hearing aids, or metal objects like bangles and hair clips.
- Pregnant women and diabetic patients need to consult their respective doctors before the scan as they would provide reliable remedies that would provide the best results.
- It’s preferred to have an allergy test before a scan. This will make it easier to detect allergies to any form of oral solutions provided before the scan.
Note:
In some cases, the doctors cannot make results out of CT scans due to specific body types, so in such instances, a barium isotope turns out to be of great use. The doctors prepare an oral solution of barium isotope, which is then given to the patient before the test. Barium is a soft metal that gets easily detected by the machine and makes it easier for the machine to provide a reliable test result.
Benefits Of CT Scan
The CT scan is an excellent option because it provides doctors with in-depth knowledge of various diseases which might go undetected in physical examination. Some of these diseases are listed below.
- Crohn’s disease
- Fatty and alcoholic lives
- Cirrhosis
- Kidney Stones
- Colon cancer
- Aortic aneurysm
Side Effects Of CT Scan
There are no direct side effects of a CT scan as these waves are weaker in strength, but there are some side effects of the oral solutions provided by doctors before the scan. These side effects and allergies are discussed below in detail.
- Diarrhoea is the most common side effect of the barium isotope as it affects digestion and can cause indigestion; the essential medication from doctors can allow patients to recover from it.
- Abdominal Cramping is another side effect of this CT scan observed in patients with diabetes and other medical issues. Taking rest and having a good diet can fix it in no time.
- Nausea, constipation, and vomiting are temporary side effects faced by patients, but there is no such harm from them.
- If patients have some allergies, rashes, headaches, itching, or hives are possible after the CT scan.
The side effects, as mentioned above, were simply side effects and can be cured easily. If there is a spike in heart rate or swelling in your body, then you must instantly contact your doctors.
Risks Of CT Scan
Some risks of CT scans are observed in rare cases, which are discussed below.
- It can lead to various allergies in the body, so it’s reliable to consult a medical expert before consuming the oral solution.
- Pregnant women can have some congenital disabilities; consulting a medical expert is a reliable choice as he can provide better insights and suggest an alternative.
- In some cases, it increases cancer risk as X-rays penetrate the skin.
Conclusion
This scan has various benefits and makes it easier for people to detect diseases that might keep on growing. Weak rays are used in this scan, making it suitable for people with sensitive skin or medical issues. It should be performed under medical guidance, and doctors should keep a list of all allergies and side effects in mind before performing it.