Burning When Urinating | Could It Be an STD?
That burning sensation when you urinate is hard to ignore. It stops you mid-track, it lingers after, and once it starts, it is almost impossible not to wonder what is causing it. You may be tempted to assume it is a simple urinary tract infection and wait it out. But here is what most people […]
Can Tumors Be Seen on an X-ray?
Yes, you can see some tumors on an X-ray, but it heavily depends on the tumor’s size, density, and location. Because dense masses—such as bone tumors or large lung masses—absorb more radiation, they stand out clearly as bright white or gray areas against surrounding structures. However, many early-stage soft tissue tumors can easily blend in […]
What to Do If You Think You Were Exposed to an STD
If you are reading this right now, there is a good chance your heart is pounding. Maybe it was last night. Maybe it was a week ago. You received a call, a text, or maybe just a gut feeling and now you are sitting with the question millions of people search every year but are […]
What are the Five Different Types of X-rays?
The five primary types of X-rays—classified by how the medical technology captures and processes images—are Radiography (standard flat X-rays), Fluoroscopy (live moving X-rays), Computed Tomography (CT scans), Mammography, and Angiography. Each modality relies on the same basic scientific principle: an invisible ionizing radiation beam passes through the body and is absorbed at different rates by […]
Can Urgent Care Take an Ultrasound?
Yes, many urgent care centers can perform ultrasounds. Clinics equipped with Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) technology or dedicated imaging departments can quickly evaluate non-life-threatening conditions like deep vein thrombosis (blood clots), gallbladder issues, and certain early pregnancy concerns. However, because not every walk-in clinic has specialized machinery or an on-staff sonographer, imaging capabilities vary heavily by […]
What is the 28-Day Rule for X-rays?
No, the 28-day rule states that routine diagnostic X-rays of the lower abdomen and pelvis should only be performed during the first 28 days following the onset of a woman’s last menstrual period. This medical guideline is designed to protect a developing embryo from unnecessary radiation exposure before a pregnancy is officially confirmed. While modern […]
Is It Safe to Have Radiation from X-rays?
Yes, routine medical and dental X-rays are widely considered safe because they use an extremely low dose of ionizing radiation. The amount of radiation exposure from a standard digital scan is minimal—often equivalent to the natural background radiation you naturally absorb from the environment over just a few days. However, because X-rays do introduce a […]
Can an X-ray Show Anything for Back Pain?
Yes, an X-ray can show several common causes of back pain, primarily by providing clear images of the bony structures of your spine. X-rays are highly effective for detecting bone fractures, advanced arthritis, spinal alignment issues like scoliosis, spondylolisthesis (a slipped vertebra), and bone tumors. However, standard X-rays generally cannot show soft tissue problems. If […]
Does a Foot X-Ray Include the Ankle?
No, a standard foot X-ray does not typically include a full view of the ankle. While a foot X-ray captures the toes, forefoot, and midfoot, it only shows a partial view of the hindfoot (heel). Because the ankle involves a entirely different joint structure, a separate ankle X-ray is required to properly evaluate and diagnose […]
Can a foot X-ray detect arthritis?
Yes, a foot X-ray is the primary diagnostic imaging tool used to detect arthritis. While it cannot directly image soft tissue damage, it reveals definitive structural changes in the bones and joints, such as joint space narrowing, bone spurs (osteophytes), and bone sclerosis. For an accurate diagnosis, visiting a specialized X-ray clinic in Las Vegas […]