Category: Family Health

You will have a complete physical examination several weeks before the revision surgery. This is to check if you are healthy enough for the surgery. If you have diabetes, heart disease, or other medical conditions, your surgeon may ask you to see your health care provider who treats you for these conditions to see if it is safe for you to have the surgery.

You will have imaging tests to check the condition of your hip and the extent of bone loss around the implant:

Imaging tests help to determine if there is loosening or other mechanical problems of the prosthesis or its parts.

Your surgeon may order blood tests to determine if you have an infection. Aspiration of hip joint fluid may need to be done to check for infection.

You may need to make some changes before the surgery.

Tell your surgeon or nurse if:

• You are taking any medicines, including drugs, supplements, or herbs you bought without a prescription.
• You have been drinking a lot of alcohol, more than 1 or 2 drinks per day.

If you smoke you need to stop. Ask your providers for help. Smoking will slow down wound and bone healing. Your recovery may not be as good if you keep smoking.

During the 2 weeks before your surgery:

• Prepare your home ahead of time.
• You may be asked to temporarily stop taking medicines that keep your blood from clotting. These medicines are called blood thinners. This includes over-the-counter medicines and supplements such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), and vitamin E. Many prescription medicines are also blood thinners.
• You may also need to stop taking medicines that can make your body more likely to get an infection. These include methotrexate, etanercept (Enbrel), or other medicines that suppress your immune system. Make sure you ask your surgeon when it is safe to resume taking these medicines.
• Ask your surgeon which medicines you should still take on the day of your surgery.
• Always let your surgeon know about any cold, flu, fever, herpes breakout, or other illness you have before your surgery.
• You may want to visit a physical therapist to learn some exercises to do before surgery and to practice using a walker or crutches.
• Ask your provider whether you need to go to a nursing home or rehabilitation facility after surgery. If you do, you should check out these places ahead of time and note your preference.

Practice using a cane, walker, crutches, or a wheelchair correctly to:

• Get in and out of the shower
• Go up and down stairs
• Sit down to use the toilet and stand up after using the toilet
• Use the shower chair

On the day of your surgery:

• Follow instructions about when to stop eating and drinking.
• Take the medicines your surgeon told you to take with a small sip of water.
• Arrive at the hospital on time.

Menopause Topics:

Hormone therapies (HT), sometimes mistakenly called hormone replacement therapy, are the prescription drugs used most often to treat menopause symptoms such as hot flashes and genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), which includes vaginal dryness after menopause.

What Is Hormone Therapy?

At the most basic level, hormone therapy replaces female hormones, primarily estrogen and progestogens, that are lost during the menopause transition. Hormone therapy is FDA-approved as a first-line therapy for the relief of bothersome hot flashes and is shown to be the most effective treatment. In particular, the benefits particularly outweigh the risks for HT when used in early menopause to relieve vasomotor symptoms (VMS), hot flashes, night sweats, and sleep disturbances.

Types of Hormone Therapy

Systemic and low-dose are the two main types of hormone therapy.

• Systemic therapy: When hormones are delivered throughout the body via pills, patches, sprays, gels, or a vaginal ring, this is known as systemic therapy. Systemic doses are absorbed into the bloodstream at high-enough levels to have significant effects in widespread areas, which is needed to treat symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes.
• Low-dose therapy: Also called vaginal estrogen therapy (ET) for GSM after menopause, this therapy is administered into the vagina and is effective for both moisturizing and rebuilding tissue. Very little goes into blood circulation, so the risks are far lower.

Systemic hormones include estrogens, either the same or similar to the estrogens the body produces naturally, and progestogens, which include progesterone — the progestogen the body produces naturally — or a similar compound.

Systemic hormones—very effective for hot flashes—have other benefits, such as protecting bones. They also carry risks, such as blood clots and breast cancer. The breast cancer risk usually doesn’t rise until after about 5 years with estrogen plus progestogen therapy (EPT) or after 7 years with estrogen alone.

Is Hormone Therapy Safe?

For most women, experts agree that HT helps to control moderate to severe menopause symptoms such as hot flashes when initiated within 10 years of onset of menopause or under age 60 years.

You and your healthcare professional need to balance your individual benefits and risks based on your medical history. For example, if you don’t have a uterus and can take ET alone, your risks are different from those women who still have a uterus and must use EPT to protect against uterine cancer.

Hormone Therapy for Women: Benefits and Risks

Many factors affect a woman’s decision to use hormones—and if she uses them, which product or regimen is best—to relieve her symptoms. Common factors include age, underlying health, symptom severity, preferences, available treatment options, and cost considerations.

There are risks associated with HT, including:

• Stroke — Both ET and EPT increase the risk of stroke. That risk goes away, however, soon after you stop taking hormones.
• Blood clots — Risk increases if you take hormones by mouth. The risk may be lower if you use a transdermal estrogen, such as a patch, gel, or spray.
• Uterine cancer — If you didn’t have a hysterectomy and still have a uterus, you need to take EPT. If you have already had uterine cancer (also called endometrial cancer), it’s not a good idea to take HT, although a progestogen by itself might be an option. Discuss this with your healthcare professionals.
• Breast cancer — If you are wondering whether HT causes cancer, there is some good news for women who use ET. Women can use ET for 7 years before the breast cancer risk increases. The risk goes up after 3 to 5 years for women who use EPT. Their risk might be lower if they take micronized progesterone intermittently and start HT early.

But there are plenty of benefits, as well, including:

• Reduced symptoms — Lessening of hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness and the poor sleep, irritability, and “brain fog” that go with them.
• Vaginal symptom relief — Including thinning tissue and dryness and the consequences, such as painful intercourse. (If you take low-dose oral or transdermal HT, you may need to add a vaginal estrogen to get relief.)
• Ease overactive bladder — You might see relief from your frequency issues and maybe even recurring urinary tract infections with vaginal estrogen.
• Protect your bones — Standard-dose HT helps prevent bone fractures later in life. If you are at high risk of broken bones or have early menopause, you may be able to take hormones earlier or longer. Discuss this with your healthcare professional.
• Lower your risk of cardiovascular disease — If you start HT within 10 years of menopause, you could lower your risk of cardiovascular disease.
• Reduce your diabetes risk — Scientific evidence shows women who use HT have a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Often a period of trial and error is required to arrive at the best dose and regimen for you. As new therapies and guidelines become available, and your body and lifestyle needs change over time, reevaluation and adjustments can be made.

Although HT may not be the right choice for every woman, for some, the benefits may outweigh the risks, which is why careful consideration with a knowledgeable healthcare professional is so important.

What Are the Adverse Effects of Hormone Therapy?

Hormone therapy can cause breast tenderness, nausea, and irregular bleeding or spotting. These adverse events are not serious but can be bothersome. Reducing your dose of HT or switching the form of HT you use may decrease adverse events.

You may ask whether HT causes weight gain. Although it’s a common problem for midlife women, associated with both aging and hormone changes, HT is not associated with weight gain. It may even lower the chance of developing diabetes.

Stopping Hormone Therapy

There is no “right” time to stop HT. Many women try to stop HT after 4 to 5 years because of concerns about a potential increased risk of breast cancer. Other women may lower doses or change to nonpill forms of HT. Hot flashes may or may not return after you stop HT.

Although not proven by studies, slowly decreasing your dose of estrogen over several months or even over several years may reduce the chance that your hot flashes will return. You and your healthcare professional will work together to decide the best time to stop HT.

If very bothersome hot flashes or night sweats return when you stop HT, you will need to reassess your individual risks and benefits to decide whether to continue HT. Because there may be greater risks with longer duration of use and as you age, you and your healthcare professional will work together to decide what is the best option for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Videos & Podcasts

The Menopause Society is proud of its comprehensive video series for women and healthcare professionals on important midlife health topics.

View the entire video & podcast series

Additional resources on this topic

Other menopause topics

Need help finding a certified menopause practitioner?

The Menopause Society’s website offers a searchable listing of healthcare professionals including those who have earned the prestigious MSCP credential.

Start your search for a certified menopause practitioner today.

You will have a complete physical examination several weeks before the revision surgery. This is to check if you are healthy enough for the surgery. If you have diabetes, heart disease, or other medical conditions, your surgeon may ask you to see the health care provider who treats you for these conditions to see if it is safe for you to have the surgery.

You will have imaging tests to check the condition of your knee and the extent of bone loss around the implant:

Imaging tests help to determine if there is loosening or other mechanical problems of the prosthesis or its parts.

Your surgeon may order blood tests to determine if you have an infection. Aspiration of knee joint fluid may be done to check for infection.

You may need to make some changes before the surgery.

• Tell your surgeon or nurse if you are taking any medicines, including any drugs, supplements, or herbs you bought without a prescription.
• Tell your surgeon if you have been drinking a lot of alcohol, more than 1 or 2 drinks per day.

If you smoke, you need to stop. Ask your providers for help. Smoking will slow down wound and bone healing. Your recovery may not be as good if you keep smoking.

During the week before your surgery:

• Prepare your home ahead of time.
• You may be asked to temporarily stop taking medicines that keep your blood from clotting. These medicines are called blood thinners. This includes over-the-counter medicines and supplements such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), and vitamin E. Many prescription medicines are also blood thinners.
• You may also need to stop taking medicines that can make your body more likely to get an infection. These include methotrexate, etanercept (Enbrel), or other medicines that suppress your immune system. Make sure you ask your surgeon when it is safe to resume taking these medicines.
• Ask your surgeon which medicines you should still take on the day of your surgery.
• Always let your surgeon know about any cold, flu, fever, herpes breakout, or other illness you have before your surgery.
• You may want to visit a physical therapist to learn some exercises to do before surgery.
• Ask your provider whether you need to go to a nursing home or rehabilitation facility after surgery. If you do, you should check out these places ahead of time and note your preference.

Practice using a cane, walker, crutches, or a wheelchair correctly to:

• Get in and out of the shower
• Go up and down stairs
• Sit down to use the toilet and stand up after using the toilet
• Use the shower chair

On the day of your surgery:

• Follow instructions about when to stop eating and drinking.
• Take the medicines your surgeon told you to take with a small sip of water.
• Arrive at the hospital on time.

Coping with Chiari and syringomyelia – by Shawna Countryman

A diagnosis of syringomyelia (SM) and/or Chiari (CM) may affect us in many different ways. Dealing with the various facets of a long-term condition can leave one feeling alone, frightened and confused. Not only will we have to deal with the physical attributes but also the emotional aspects. Emotions can vary from anger, disbelief, frustration, denial, loss of control, depression, fear, anxiety or uncertainty. An effective way to fight back is to make the most out of our lives. Take the time to experience the good things in life, the things that give us real pleasure.

One of the most important things to remember is that this diagnosis is not an end, but the beginning of a new learning life experience. Although it would be nice to pick and choose what our life experiences would be, we are usually not given that opportunity. With the right focus, we can decide whether to look at our situations as negative or as positive. We can choose the direction in which we take the experiences. Living with SM/CM will bring many unexpected challenges, but that doesnt mean we cant be in control of our lives.

If we are living with a chronic condition, we are courageous. A longstanding disorder can add a new set of challenges to our lives. In the process of meeting these trials, we will continue to learn how to confront our fears and move beyond them. We may feel that we lose some of our independence if we have to depend on family members, friends and health care professionals more than we did in the past. None of these changes are easy. While SM/CM brings many challenges, there are ways we can face them and live productive, healthy, fulfilling lives.

Change our outlook: Realize that only we can change our outlook on life. Some situations cant be changed, so it is up to us to learn how to deal with the situation effectively. Maintaining a positive attitude can decrease stress and help us to get the most out of life. We may not be able to change our diagnosis; however, we can become involved so that we get the most out of our lives by giving ourselves a new perspective as well as renewed hope.

Educate Ourselves. Learn all that we can about syringomyelia and Chiari. Knowledge is power. The more we learn, the better we will be able to empower ourselves. Develop a Healthy Attitude. A healthy attitude will help us to balance our positive and negative thoughts. Focus Our Attention on Positive Things We Enjoy. Continue a hobby, project or skill, or start a new one. Express Ourselves. Find ways to express our feelings in a positive way, such as writing in a journal, exercising, painting or joining a support group. Develop and Use Support Systems. Share our feelings with family, friends, physicians, counselors or others who have the same diagnosis. Realize We Are Not Alone. We may feel isolated and that no one understands what we are going through. Know that we are not alone. Meet and share with others who are going through some of the same things we are. Laugh. Become involved in activities that make us laugh. No matter how sad we feel, laughing can make the world seem like a better place. Relax. Learning how to relax is one of the most important ways to cope with stress in a healthy way.
Love. Love ourselves, our families, our friends and others who are important to us. Read. Read something that inspires us. Whether it is fiction, non-fiction, poetry or literature, find something we are interested in and start reading. We can join a book club or web ring, which enables us to discuss our thoughts with others having the same interest.

Everyone sees situations differently and has different coping skills. By understanding our reactions and ourselves, we can learn to deal with our diagnosis effectively. Some may be able to continue daily activities as always. Others may have to trade in their favorite activities for new ones. There is no single right way of coping. Each of us must figure out what works best. However, a combination of the following coping skills is ideal.

Emotional Identification – we may prefer to deal with our feelings and find social supports.

Distraction Identification – we may use hobbies or activities to help take our mind off of the situation.

Task Identification – we may feel comfortable analyzing the situation and taking action to deal directly with the situation.

Just as stressors wear us down, being active can rejuvenate, restore and refresh us. The following list may help us identify what we can do to remain active. By taking action, we have more control over our lives.

Volunteer Work. Helping others can take attention away from our own worries. Find an organization whose mission and goals we support; give to others.

Use Relaxation Techniques. Meditation helps to ease the mind so we can think calmly throughout the day. It also helps us to focus on the positive. Meditation puts us in control of our thoughts. Other ideas are deep breathing, yoga or massage.

Hobbies. Take time to focus on a hobby. Whether it is writing, photography, painting, crafts, collecting, gardening, sports or any other hobby, do it with passion and enthusiasm. Consider it nourishment for our souls.

Socialize. Become more active in church; attend a gathering, a concert, arts and crafts fair or a support group.

Exercise. If we are able to participate in exercise, it will help to keep our bodies and minds healthy. If we cannot actively participate, we can go to a park and savor the environment; delight in the flowers, birds and trees. Watch others who are also enjoying being outside.

Get Away. Taking a break from our day-to-day routine can be stimulating and/or relaxing.

Get Enough Rest and Sleep. It is important to give our bodies the rest and sleep they need, especially when we are dealing with a chronic condition.

Watch Our Diet. Alcohol, caffeine, sugar, fats and tobacco all put a strain on our bodies. A diet with a balance of vegetables, whole grains, fruits and high in protein but low in fat will help create good health.

Devote Some Time Each Day to Ourselves. Take time to relax by listening to music, reading a book, watching a good movie, or playing a game.

The late, great amateur golfer, Bobby Jones, was diagnosed with syringomyelia in 1948. He described how he faced this challenge when he said, I still cant accept this thing. I fight it every day. When it first happened to me I was pretty bitter, and there were times when I didnt want to go on living. But I did go on living, so I had to face the problem of how I was to live. I decided that I’d just do the very best I could.

Our situation can bring out the best in our character, such as patience, determination, motivation or empathy. Or it can bring out the worst. It is up to us as to which one we let prevail. People today can get so caught up in work or daily routines that they forget to look at the big picture. Having SM/CM may give us no alternative other than to slow down our hectic lifestyle. Look at this as a positive aspect, for it provides us the time to look at our priorities and make changes if necessary. When we live with a chronic condition, every aspect of life takes on a new dimension. Our daily decisions and choices are taken into account more carefully. Take time to let the sun shine on our faces, smell the air after a gentle rain, or just listen to the activities of nature that surround us. And most of all, remember that we are not alone.

About the Author:

My name is Shawna Countryman, and I was diagnosed with syringomyelia (SM) and Chiari malformation (CM) in 1996. After childhood and adult years of medical problems and numerous misdiagnoses, it was a relief to finally find out what was wrong. However, little did I know I would be in for the battle of my life. After searching for months and going from doctor to doctor, I finally found a wonderful neurosurgeon and physician. This, however, was not done without a lot of determination and will power to fight and never give up hope.

I had an occipital cranial decompression a few days after my 30th birthday in 1997. After the surgery, I was in need of a neurologist. Most I found were not familiar with SM or CM. One neurologist denied I had either disorder, even after the surgery and after several MRIs confirming the diagnosis. I was told I needed to see a psychiatrist instead. He stated that if I did have SM or CM, I would not be up walking around like I was, that I would be paralyzed. During the family history interview, I mentioned that my mother had been diagnosed with lupus. He said, So, do you think you have that, too? and laughed. This was one of the biggest turning points in my life.

Always a strong woman, I had taken the diagnosis and the surgery with stride and continued to maintain a positive attitude. However, on this day, after a great deal of humiliation and shock, I sat in my car in the parking lot and cried for two hours, unable to drive home. I could not believe this man treated me the way he did or that he was a well-known neurologist. After this experience, I was determined to help make a difference for all of us suffering from the effects of SM and CM. I decided to begin by making a coping brochure. I did extensive research on positive coping strategies and interviewed almost 100
people who also suffer from these disorders. I would like to thank those who donated their time to answer my interview questions. The benefits are clearly evident with the outcome of this brochure. May this inspire all of us to fight for the best quality of life possiblebecause we deserve it! Never give up. This experience has made me appreciate life so much more. I do not take life for granted, and I thank God for each day I am given. Whether it is a good
day or a bad day, it is another day that gives me the fortitude to become a stronger, more determined, more courageous woman than I ever imagined.

With a BA degree in Psychology, I am now pursuing my Masters in Counseling Psychology. I currently work with individuals with mental retardation and those with developmental and mental disabilities.

Always remember that together we can make a difference, not only in our own lives but also in the lives of others. When we have hope, we have everything. Count our blessings, not our troubles. I leave you with one of my favorite quotes:

Happiness is not a state to arrive at, but rather a manner of traveling. – Ben Sweetland

Love & Peace to You All,
Shawna Countryman

Are dental X-rays safe?

We understand the health concerns the public has about being exposed to radiation. That’s why the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) has created this helpful guide to dental X-rays. Learn more about the different types of X-rays, their uses, why they’re necessary, what you can expect from an X-ray imaging procedure, what sorts of radiation you’ll be exposed to, and what types of precautions our orthodontists take.

Why the Radiation Dose from Dental X-Rays is Safe

• Avoiding radiation is impossible; on average, a person receives a dose of 1.7 millirem (a unit measuring the effective dose of radiation, equivalent to 17 microsieverts) from natural background radiation daily.
• Dental X-rays expose patients to .1-.8 millirem of radiation, a very small amount (equivalent to 1-8 microsieverts)
• In comparison, dental X-rays usually expose patients to less than a daily dose of natural background radiation
• The benefits far outweigh the minimal risks; orthodontists need dental X-rays to see below the gum’s surface and create a plan to provide treatment effectively

Radiation from dental X-rays is so minimal that in 2024, an expert panel with the American Dental Association’s (ADA) Council on Scientific Affairs updated national recommendations to say protective gear like lead aprons and thyroid collars is no longer recommended. The amount of radiation is already so low that these extra layers simply aren’t necessary for your safety.

But Isn’t Radiation Harmful?

When someone mentions the word “radiation,” it can conjure images of atomic weapons, deadly invisible forces that can melt skin or give you cancerous growths, apocalyptic wastelands, and strange, abhorrent mutations.

While it’s true that ionizing radiation in very large doses can alter human cells, degrade DNA, increase the risks of cancer and other chronic diseases, and even lead to death, the amount of radiation patients are exposed to during a routine dental X-ray is negligible.

Additionally, over the years, X-ray technology has undergone significant improvements. These days, digital X-rays are used to reduce radiation exposure even further.

Digital Technology used in Dental X-rays:

• Require less energy due to computer image enhancement
• Use a narrower beam size
• Use monitoring equipment to measure and fine-tune radiation exposure
• Can be programmed to lower radiation dosages to the lowest possible required for a diagnosis

Finally, even though the amount of radiation you receive from your typical dental X-ray is minuscule, many dental professionals still elect to continue the use of lead aprons or thyroid shields as an additional precaution meant to give patients peace of mind.

How “Low” is a Low Dosage of Radiation?

If your orthodontist has asked you to get dental X-rays, it’s natural to be hesitant when either you or your child will be exposed to radiation.

Depending on which type of dental X-ray you receive, your average dental X-ray exposes you to between .1 and .8 Millirem of radiation, an extremely small dosage.

Did you know that you’re exposed to ionizing radiation from both the Earth and cosmic background radiation? Just existing, breathing in air, and eating food exposes the body to radiation. In essence, you or your child can’t completely avoid radiation exposure.  In fact, the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission estimates that Americans are exposed to 620 milirem (equivalent to 6,200 microsieverts) annually. That means that on average, you’re exposed to about 17 microsieverts a day just from background radiation. A dental X-ray emits less radiation than what you normally receive from living your daily life.

Minimizing Radiation Exposure

While radiation is not completely avoidable, the goal is to minimize unnecessary radiation exposure so that your body doesn’t need to absorb more than is considered healthy in a given time period. The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission has established that a person who does not work with radioactive materials as part of their job should be exposed to no more than 100 millirem (equivalent to 1,000 microsieverts) of human-made radiation in addition to the average natural background radiation exposure per year.

100 millirem may not seem like a significant amount when you consider that annual background exposure is about six times that. However, 100 millirem is a large amount of radiation. To put everything in perspective, you’d need to get more than 100 dental X-rays in a single year to max out your safe man-made radiation exposure limit. No orthodontist would ever need anywhere close to 100 dental X-rays to create a treatment plan.

Why Are Dental X-Rays Necessary for Orthodontics?

One question that many of our orthodontists often receive is whether a dental X-ray is necessary for orthodontic treatment. The answer is a definite yes.

You cannot receive orthodontic treatment without a dental X-ray, and our orthodontists will not offer treatment without patients first getting dental X-rays.

Dental X-rays are essential for orthodontics because they let the orthodontist see what’s happening beneath the surface of your teeth and gums, which a simple visual exam or even a 3D scan can’t reveal. Specifically, X-rays help orthodontists:

Assess tooth position & development: X-rays show the exact alignment of teeth, root development, and whether any teeth are impacted (stuck under the gums) or coming in at unusual angles.

Evaluate jaw growth & structure: X-rays provide insight into the bones of the jaws and face, helping diagnose skeletal issues like overbites, underbites, or asymmetries that braces or other orthodontic treatments need to address.

Check for missing or extra teeth: They identify congenitally missing teeth or extra (supernumerary) teeth, which can affect the growth and development of the permanent teeth. Orthodontists may also use X-rays to assess the positions of wisdom teeth and predict how they will eventually impact treatment.

Monitor tooth and root health: X-rays can detect root resorption, cysts, or other problems that might affect long-term tooth health, movement, or stability during treatment.

Plan safe, effective treatment: Accurate diagnosis from X-rays helps orthodontists develop a treatment plan that minimizes complications and maximizes long-term results. This is the ultimate purpose of dental X-rays, and why our orthodontists insist on them.

Dental X-rays provide orthodontists with the full picture needed to move teeth safely, correct bite problems, and ensure your smile remains healthy and stable for years to come.

Trusting Your Oral Health to the Orthodontic Experts at AAO

It’s understandable to be concerned about exposing yourself or your family to radiation sources. After all, cartoons, movies, news reports, and popular media in general have hammered it into our minds that not much good can come from being exposed to radiation.

However, we live in a radioactive world. Everything we do, from breathing to drinking water, involves some level of radiation exposure. This isn’t a new phenomenon, either. Natural radioactive decay in the Earth’s elements or in food emits ionizing radiation, which we can’t avoid. And while it’s true that the harms of significant radiation exposure are well documented, the reality is that small doses of radiation are considered fine.

It is impossible to avoid radiation completely; the goal is to limit your exposure to only that which is necessary. In the case of evaluating orthodontic treatment, it’s completely necessary to obtain dental X-rays, allowing your orthodontist to view below the gumline and create an effective treatment plan that promotes a beautiful smile, healthy jaw, and better tooth positions.

Ultimately, with the latest advances in dental X-ray technology, we can limit patient exposure to such tiny amounts that it often doesn’t even equal the amount you receive from daily natural background radiation. Our orthodontists and their teams are trained to minimize your exposure to radiation while maximizing your improved health through personalized orthodontic treatment plans.

Ready to start your treatment? Find an AAO orthodontist today!

What’s an X-Ray?

An X-ray is a safe and painless test that uses a small amount of radiation to make an image of bones, organs, and other parts of the body.

The X-ray image is black and white. Dense body parts, such as bones, block the passage of the X-ray beam through the body. These look white on the X-ray image. Softer body tissues, such as the skin and muscles, allow the X-ray beams to pass through them. They look darker on the image.

X-rays are commonly done in doctors’ offices, radiology departments, imaging centers, and dentists’ offices. If needed (for instance, if a child is in the hospital) a portable X-ray machine can be brought to the bedside. Portable X-rays are sometimes used in emergency rooms, intensive care units (ICUs), and operating rooms.

Help your child prepare for an X-ray by explaining the test in simple terms. Tell your child that it’s important to hold still to get the best images. The X-ray technician might ask older kids to hold their breath and remain still for 2-3 seconds while each X-ray is taken. Any image that is blurry might need to be redone.

What Happens Before an X-Ray?

Most X-rays don’t require any special preparation. Depending on what’s being X-rayed, your child may be asked to remove clothing and jewelry and change into a hospital gown because buttons, zippers, clasps, or jewelry might affect the image.

Your child will go into a special room that probably will have a table and a large X-ray machine hanging from the ceiling. Parents are sometimes able to come in with their child. If you stay in the room while the X-ray is being done, you’ll be asked to wear a lead apron to protect certain parts of your body. Your child’s reproductive organs will also be protected with a lead shield.

What Happens During an X-Ray?

After getting your child into the right position, the technician steps into the next room to take the images. Your child won’t feel anything as the X-ray is taken. The X-ray room may feel cool due to the air conditioning used to maintain the equipment.

Positions required for the X-ray may feel uncomfortable, but they need to be held for only a few seconds. If your child has an injury and can’t stay in the right position, the technician might be able to find one that’s more comfortable. Babies might cry in the X-ray room, but this won’t affect the procedure.

After the X-rays are taken, you and your child will be asked to wait a few minutes while the images are processed. If they are blurred or unclear, some of the views may need to be taken again.

What Is Contrast Solution?

Sometimes, for X-rays of soft tissue areas, patients might get a contrast solution. It highlights certain areas of the body so doctors can see them in more detail. Contrast solution might be used for X-rays involving the heart, kidneys and bladder, and digestive system. The solution might be a liquid that’s swallowed or given as an enema (into the bottom), or a solution that’s injected into a vein.

The contrast solution is generally safe, but allergic reactions can happen. Talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of its use.

Find out if your child needs to fast (not eat or drink) or to stop taking medicines before getting contrast solution.

When Are Test Results Ready?

X-ray images are saved digitally on computers and are viewed by a radiologist who’s specially trained in reading and understanding them. The images can be ready for the radiologist quickly, especially in an emergency. The radiologist will send a report to your doctor, who will discuss the results with you and explain what they mean. In most cases, results can’t be given directly to the patient or family at the time of the test.

Are There Any Risks From X-Rays?

In general, X-rays are very safe. Although exposure to radiation poses some risk to the body, the amount used in most X-rays is small and not considered dangerous. It’s important to know that radiologists use the minimum amount of radiation required to get the best results.

Developing babies are more sensitive to radiation and are at more risk for harm, so if your daughter is pregnant, be sure to tell her doctor and the X-ray technician.

What if I Have Questions?

If you have questions about the X-ray or what the results mean, speak with your doctor. You can also talk to the X-ray technician before the test.

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May 29, 2025

• People usually get cholera from drinking water or eating food contaminated with cholera bacteria.
• People traveling to or living in places with unsafe drinking water, poor sanitation, and inadequate hygiene are at the highest risk of getting cholera.
• Learn what you can do to protect yourself from getting sick with cholera.

What causes it

Fact

‎Diarrhea from someone with cholera contains cholera bacteria. If you are caring for someone with cholera, take steps to keep yourself and others from getting sick.

People can get cholera by drinking water or eating food contaminated with cholera bacteria. Cholera can spread quickly in areas where sewage and drinking water aren’t adequately treated.

Cholera bacteria also can live in brackish (slightly salty) and coastal waters. Eating raw shellfish like shrimp and crab can be a source of cholera.

Cholera is not likely to spread from person to person or from casual contact with someone with cholera.

Learn how to protect yourself and others if you are going to or living in a place where cholera is present.

How it spreads

Large outbreaks often are related to contaminated water supplies or food from street vendors.

In some countries, people moving to urban centers strain water and sanitation systems.

For decades, some regions in Asia, Africa, and Latin America have faced an ongoing cholera pandemic. The African continent has the highest cholera case fatality rates.

Understanding risk

People who are more likely to be exposed to cholera include healthcare personnel treating cholera patients, cholera response workers, and travelers to an area where cholera is present.

Cholera can be fatal for up to 50 percent of people with severe disease. People more likely to have severe cholera include those with:

• Blood type O
• Chronic medical conditions
• Achlorhydria (an absence of hydrochloric acids, or HCI, in the stomach)

People without access to rehydration therapy and medical services also are more likely to have severe disease from cholera.

May 29, 2025

Content Source:

National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID)