When is the right time to visit a radiologist?
Radiologists are medical professionals who specialize in taking pictures of the inner portion of your body in order to diagnose an illness and treat it in a better way. These images are clicked in various ways, some of which include:
- CT scan
- X-ray
- MRI
- Ultrasound
- PET scan
Usually, radiologists have more than 9 years of medical education, including around 4 years of on-the-job training, which is known as residency. Radiologists then spend another 1 or 2 years doing a special fellowship in areas like breast imaging or radiology. They have to stay updated with medical advances like emergency radiology and breast imaging. To know more you may visit https://aboutimi.com/.
When might you require a radiologist?
Most likely, you’ll need to visit a radiologist only when you’re recommended by another doctor. They can be your specialist or your general physician or an orthopedist. Following are a few reasons why you may have to consult a radiologist:
- Torn muscle
- Pregnancy
- Cracked bone
- Blocked blood vessels or arteries
- Checking for tumors or for cancer
- Accidents and trauma
- Insertion of foreign items in your body
- Infections
Visiting a radiologist – What can you expect from them?
Based on the process that you’ll undergo, the appointment might take something from a few minutes to 2 hours. No, you wouldn’t have to prepare anything special for the appointment with a radiologist but there are some tests which demand you to stay away from some medicines, food and drinks.
In case you’re pregnant or you’re trying to conceive, make sure you inform the radiologist as they will then use low-dose radiation. Your doctor might even refer to an altogether different imaging test so that the baby is not exposed to harm. Here’s what you may expect when you visit a radiologist.
- CT Scan: A test that gives a better look of your body as compared to X-rays is CT Scan. In this type of test, beams of X-rays are used to get a detailed look of your bones, organs and other body parts, from various angles. You will lie straight on a table which will gradually slide you inside a tunnel. The radiologist uses this machine to check the internal bleeding, bone fracture, tumor size, infections and other issues.
- X-Ray: Do you ever have the experience of getting your teeth X-rayed at the dentist’s chamber? The case is similar to a medical x-ray. The radiologist will tell you to either lie or stand and the entire process takes a few minutes. If you meet with an accident, you may be asked to get an x-ray done.
- MRI: MRI scans use radio waves which create a magnetic field to look inside your body. With the help of MRI, the radiologist can better find out the soft tissue behind the inner portion of the bones. If you have to scan your spinal cord or brain, this kind of scan is particularly helpful. It also works effectively for tumors or torn ligaments.
- PET Scan: PET scan or positron emission tomography is another kind of nuclear medicine imaging. This scan utilizes a tiny piece of radioactive material to test the inner part of your body. Hence, if you have to detect issues with your heart or cancer or nerves or brain, this is the best type of scan that should be done. You just have to stop drinking and eating anything before this test is done.
So, radiologists are doctors who work with other doctors to diagnose and treat a plethora of body conditions. If you have to visit one soon, you are sure about what to expect from him.
