Difference between X-rays and CT scans
The human body is a complicated machine. We need to rely on diagnostic imaging instead of simply taking a doctor’s word for it. Does this mean there is something wrong with you if you require an imaging technique?
No, various medical imaging techniques can help improve your quality of life by helping prevent other problems from arising later in life or aiding your doctor in making the right treatment decision. Let’s talk about two standard imaging techniques used to diagnose problems in the human body – X-rays and CT scans.
These tests either look at the surface of your body or dig deeper into the insides of your body. The former is what we call “diagnostic imaging,” and the latter is “diagnostic testing.” Let’s see what they are meant by and how they are used:
What is an X-ray scan, and where is it used?
X-rays are a type of electromagnetic radiation (also called “light”), which has a very short wavelength (10 nanometers) and a high frequency. This makes them useful for describing the structure of matter on a small scale — below about 100 nanometers.
They are used in the health sector as an imaging procedure that uses a minimal amount of radiation, which quickly goes through your body to capture an internal image of the body.
X-ray scans create images on film. This radiation passes through soft tissues like skin and muscle but cannot pass through hard tissues such as bones or teeth. They produce images that are useful for diagnosing problems with bones, joints, and internal organs.
They allow us to see inside the body without having to perform surgery or use a contrast agent, which is why they are so helpful in treating medical conditions and diagnosing diseases.
They may be taken from any part of the body, including the skull, spine, chest, and abdomen. They also help doctors determine if there is fluid around the lungs (pulmonary edema).
X-ray scans are often used to detect tumors in the brain and other body parts. It may be taken as part of a routine checkup or after symptoms appear. It can also be used to look for signs of disease in people who already have cancer or another serious medical condition.
Types of X-rays
There are two types of x-rays:
1. Soft X-rays with a wavelength of about 10 nanometers are soft x-rays (a nanometer is one billionth of a meter). Thus, they can be placed in the electromagnetic spectrum (EM) between gamma rays and ultraviolet (UV) light.
2. Hard x-rays have wavelengths of about 100 picometers (a picometer is a trillionth of a meter). These waves are found in the same band as gamma rays on the electromagnetic spectrum.
What is a CT scan?
A CT scan (CT stands for computed tomography) is a particular type of X-ray that allows the radiologist to view multiple cross-sectional images of the body. It uses computer technology to produce detailed images of the inside of your body.
It is a more detailed type of X-ray that uses the power of X-rays and computers to deliver a 3D view of your body. A CT scan makes many detailed slices (pictures), which then are merged into one projection. This creates a clear view that shows the position, shape, and size of the organs in your body.
The CT scanner is a vast machine with an opening that you lie in. The machine then takes a series of X-ray images from different angles and, from these images, creates a 3D picture of your organs.
Read more: https://www.remedieslabs.com/blog/difference-between-x-rays-and-ct-scans/
