X-rays are a kind of radioactive waves which can cause radiation. Technically speaking radiation is a form of energy which can be transmitted and passed from one medium to another and be absorbed. X-rays are part of ionizing radiation, where energy passed has the potential to break molecules and cause changes or damage to cells. Since x-rays were discovered by Roentgen in 1895, they have found much use in the field of medicine both as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool. X-rays are used for diagnosis of bone related problems, problems of other parts of the body notably the chest and head. Computerized tomography (C.T. scan) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are advanced extended uses of radiation for looking at problems of various parts of the body in depth. But few people know that apart from their advantages, X-rays are hazardous if one is exposed in excess or repeatedly, because of their radiation effects. A middle aged man is a chronic smoker and also suffers from chronic cough. He visits the hospital regularly and seeks treatment for his cough. If not advised by the doctor, he himself insists for X-ray thinking that it will help in curing him. Thus in this process, he has done X-ray more than 15 times in 2 years, little realizing that he can develop damage to the lungs if more frequent X-rays are done. Acute radiation sickness is something which one can develop within hours of acute exposure of radiation. There is nausea, vomiting, body pain and extreme weakness. If the skin is directly exposed to radiation in any form, there can be burns on skin. Symptoms depend on dose of radiation and proximity of the source to human body. X-rays have the potential to penetrate in the tissues and cause damage to the cells and tissues. There can be inflammation of the oesophagus causing difficulty in swallowing. Later on there can be a stricture in the oesophagus, aggravating the problem. Thus a person is not able to eat very well and his nutrition and over all health is affected. The elasticity of the lungs can be lost and fibrosis can start. This causes chronic breathlessness on exertion and reduces work efficiency of a person. Since cells of the body are damaged by X-rays, there is risk of cancer developing in exposed part. This risk is augmented, if the person has any risk factors for cancer like smoking or family history of cancers which run in families like breast cancer. Direct damage to the reproductive parts and cells is known to cause sexual impotence in both men and women. Chromosomal damage can lead to genetic changes and genetic defects in the offspring. Risks of X-rays are augmented with frequency of exposure, for example in patients on radiotherapy for treatment of malignancy. As such dose of radiation used in diagnostic plain X-rays is very small. In other imaging techniques like C.T. scans, it is higher. As per some studies, one can safely take up to 30 X-rays in a year and about 5 C.T. scans. But one should remember that human factor always exists. By mistake, the dose can be more or shielding of other body parts can be defective. Theoretically the risk of a person developing cancer by diagnostic X-rays is 0.3%, very little if one looks at the figure. But practically it becomes 100% for the person affected. Radiographers are known to develop sexual impotence and even malignancy after years of being exposed to low doses of radiation, through the X-rays they do. All this does not mean that we should not do X-rays at all. X-rays when needed are very useful. But one should be cautious to take a X-ray only when absolutely necessary. If one has done a X-ray recently, the treating doctor should be informed. During pregnancy as far as possible, one should avoid X-rays. rachna212002@yahoo.co.uk
