A CT scan is one of the services available in an urgent care clinic in West Palm Beach, FL. A CT or CAT scan stands for computerized tomography or computerized axial tomography. It’s a machine that captures two-dimensional images of a particular area in your body. The scans gather information from various x-rays and combine all the collected data to develop highly detailed images. When do doctors order a CT scan?
Reasons Why Doctors Order a CT Scan
Study Blood Vessels
One of the reasons why doctors order CT scans are to get a clear picture of your blood vessels. The images can help doctors study your blood vessels and identify potential problem areas like blockages. The information obtained can be used to make a diagnosis without having to perform biopsies and surgeries.
Diagnose Abdominal Problems
Sometimes doctors order a contrast dye with the CT scan to show detailed pictures of organs like the uterus, gallbladder, liver, ovaries, and spleen. Adding a dye will help refine the pictures allowing them to diagnose many problems. Your doctor might order an abdominal CT scan for the following reasons:
- Abdominal pain
- A mass in the abdomen
- Kidney
- Inflammation of the intestines
- Obstruction in the small or large intestine
- Unexplained weight loss
Observe Small Bones
Patients who incur injuries in their hands and feet may require a CT scan since the bones in these areas are extremely small and may not be easily identified from X-ray images. The ultra-clear images can also be used to assist doctors during surgeries.
Study Tumors
Patients with tumors that require surgery are typically ordered for a CT scan. CT scans allow doctors to get a clear picture of the location and size of the tumor so they can perform surgeries more efficiently.
Diagnose Cancer
Did you know that a CT scan can help diagnose cancer? Doctors can form a more efficient treatment plan with the information obtained from the images.
Furthermore, cancer patients receiving radiation therapy may also need CT scans to determine the exact position of the tumors. A CT scan may also be ordered to determine the efficacy of chemotherapy since the images show how much the cancer cells have spread.
Examine Brain Injuries
A CT scan of your head can show detailed images of your brain that can be used to examine head injuries, bleeding, severe and chronic headaches, stroke, and brain tumors.
How Do CT Scans Work?
A CT scan is a massive machine that looks like a doughnut. The machine has an X-ray tube and several detectors on opposite ends. In the middle of the machine is a tunnel where the table goes in and out. The X-ray equipment will start spinning around you when you get in the scanner. The procedure should only last a few minutes.
Preparation for a CT scan will vary depending on your doctor’s order. Sometimes doctors request a contrast examination. You must avoid eating anything hours before your scheduled procedure.
If you receive an intravenous contrast, it’s normal to feel flushed or have a metallic taste in your mouth. After the CT scan, you should resume your daily activities without a problem.
Get Your CT Scan at an Urgent Care Clinic in West Palm Beach, FL
If you need a CT scan, we’ll make it convenient for you. At MedForce Mobile, we bring urgent care services directly to your home. We know that visiting the ER could lead to hassles and inconveniences, especially if you have trouble securing transportation. To get the services and tests you need, just give us a call.
