When do doctors recommend chest x-rays in West Palm Beach? If you visit an urgent care clinic complaining of shortness of breath, chest pain, or if you injured your chest, your doctor will likely order a chest x-ray. An X-ray is a diagnostic tool that produces images that help doctors identify various medical conditions and to get a better understanding of what's going on inside your body.
How Chest X-Rays Help Diagnose Respiratory Problems
What Is a Chest X-Ray?
Chest x-rays or chest radiographs use focused radiation beams to create images of the structures inside your chest, including your heart, bones, and lungs.
These images can help your urgent care doctor identify abnormalities in your chest, such as fluid buildup, inflammation, or infections. X-ray images are produced in black and white. Chest x-rays are a non-invasive way to get a closer look at your chest and help your provider make an accurate diagnosis.
When Do Doctors Order a Chest X-ray?
Diagnostic x-rays of the chest help healthcare providers diagnose problems in your heart and lungs. Some of these symptoms include:
- Fever
- Difficulty breathing
- Chest pain
- Chronic cough
How Do Chest X-Rays Work?
During a chest x-ray, you will stand in front of a flat panel that emits a small amount of radiation. This radiation passes through your chest and is absorbed by a detector on the other side.
The detector creates an image of the radiation that has passed through your body, which your provider can use to identify abnormalities. The entire process takes just a few minutes and does not cause any pain or discomfort.
What Respiratory Problems Can Be Diagnosed with a Chest X-ray?
Chest x-rays are a valuable diagnostic tool that can help doctors identify various respiratory issues. Some of the examples are as follows:
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an acute lung infection that causes inflammation in the air sacs. The inflammation can cause the air sacs to fill with pus and fluid, making breathing difficult. A chest x-ray can help identify areas of the lung affected by the infection.
Bronchitis
Bronchitis may be acute or chronic. It is a respiratory condition that causes inflammation in the lining of your bronchial tubes, which carry air in and out of your lungs. This inflammation can cause coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. A chest x-ray can help identify inflammation or swelling in the bronchial tubes.
Asthma
Asthma is a respiratory problem that causes your airways to inflame and narrow, resulting in breathing difficulties. A chest x-ray can help identify any lung structural abnormalities contributing to the patient's symptoms.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
COPD is a chronic respiratory condition that causes airflow blockage, leading to breathing difficulties. A chest x-ray can help identify any lung structural abnormalities, such as emphysema, associated with COPD.
Pleural Effusion
When you have pleural effusion, fluid accumulates between the tissues lining your lungs and the chest cavity. A chest x-ray can help identify the presence and location of this fluid buildup.
Lung cancer
A chest x-ray can help identify the presence of abnormal growths or masses in the lungs, which may indicate lung cancer.
Overall, a chest x-ray can provide valuable information to help diagnose and monitor respiratory conditions. It is recommended if you are experiencing respiratory symptoms.
Do You Need Chest X-Ray in West Palm Beach?
A chest x-ray is an important tool that helps diagnose medical problems affecting your respiratory system. If you're experiencing chest pain, SOB, or other symptoms, don't hesitate to visit your local urgent care clinic to get the care you need. MedForce Mobile provides high-quality and affordable care without the fear of dealing with costly medical bills. We deliver 90% of ER services, including chest x-rays. Contact us to learn more.
