| Computed Tomography (CT) Scans were invented in | | | | accident a CT scan can do a full body scan in under |
| 1971, ever since then they have been perfectly safe | | | | half a minute! A CT scan is non-invasive and does not |
| have been used by over a hundred million people to | | | | force you to stand in an awkward position while you |
| help medical professionals diagnose problems and | | | | are in pain. |
| diseases. In fact it is one of the most trusted and safe | | | | Now that you know how CT works lets revisit why |
| tools at a doctors disposal. | | | | CT has gotten so much bad press lately. A report |
| So what is all the bad press about? Well, lets explain | | | | was made in the New England Journal of Medicine |
| what a CT scan actually is first. When you go in for a | | | | discrediting CT. The complaint was that there was a |
| normal x-ray a small burst of special light called"ionizing | | | | larger rate of cancer than years past. Cancer can be |
| radiation" is sent out and taken like a picture. CT is | | | | caused by radiation and the article was blaming CT for |
| similar to this, but instead of taking the picture from just | | | | this. Most scientists do not agree that such a minute |
| one angle it uses many. A CT machine takes all these | | | | amount of radiation will cause cancer but the story |
| snap shots and is able to put together a 3D model of | | | | was picked up by many news stations. The press |
| whatever is being imaged. A CT scan exposes you to | | | | made very good hype pieces and fanned the flames |
| more radiation than a x-ray, but the amount is still | | | | of the issue. |
| negligible and proves a very clear and accurate picture | | | | If you are unsure about having a CT scan talk with |
| for your doctor to work with. | | | | your doctor about why they believe it is the right fit. In |
| CT scans are being used more often. Since 1980s | | | | some cases there are other alternatives, but they may |
| they have become drastically cheaper and more | | | | have reasons against it. |
| efficient. Even if you have had a particularly bad | | | | |