Question 1

is there a tool that a dr. can use to check the level of patients radiation exposure from all the x-rays and ct scans in ones life?

Accepted Answer

No: The list of Possible Things To Worry About from cradle to grave is infinitely long.  The radiation exposure from medical testing is low on that list, unless one has a bad medical disorder and is getting repeated scans over and over.

Question 2

i had 2 ct scans within a month after two hard hits to the head. is this dangerous in terms of radiation? never had one before.

Accepted Answer

Radiation exposure: Yes, you were exposed to radiation, but I am sure that your doc considered the tests necessary and the overall exposure is low.

Question 3

i had 2 ct scans within a month. is that really dangerous? what problems could this pose? worried about radiation exposure.

Accepted Answer

Not to worry: Depends on why you had those scans.  One must balance the risks against the benefits .  If these are the only  2 scans you have then there is an extremely minimal risk from the radiation of the CT.

Question 4

are ct scans dangerous? i just had one for chronic sinusitis and after reading online i'm very worried about radiation. did i do the right thing?

Accepted Answer

: While CT scans are more accurate than routine x-rays,  the radiation from CT's cumulatively over time can be harmful. However, an occasional CT is a valuable diagnostic tool, and your physician will know how to evaluate the permissible frequency of such exams.

Question 5

is it dangerous to have two ct scans within 2 weeks period. is that to much radiation?

Accepted Answer

No: Today, the typical radiation dose from a non-contrast head ct is less than the ambient radiation exposure we are all exposed to from the sun, air, water and earth in any given year. In other words, a very low dose radiation.

Question 6

i had 3 ct scans in the past 2 years, 4 total in life. doc wants me to get another for swollen nodes in neck. is this a dangerous amount of radiation?

Accepted Answer

Risk benefit ratio: There is a small risk in undergoing a CT scan. However, the risk of not getting the diagnostic study may be more than the radiation risk. You should discuss your concern with your doctor, but it would be prudent to follow her/his advice.

Question 7

what to do about radiation poisoning from weekly-ish ct scans?

Accepted Answer

Why so many?: Why would you have weekly CT scans? Each scan has a tiny radiation risk but normally people have only a small number. If there is some very severe medical condition that requires close CT monitoring I really think the medical condition is more important than the incremental cancer risk.

Question 8

i have had 3 ct scans of my head this year. how worried to i have to be about too much radiation?

Accepted Answer

: This much exposure will not measurably raise your risk from radiation exposure.
You can reduce your risk of cancer by adopting healthy habits: Eat a mostly vegetarian diet, avoid alcohol, tobacco and street drugs, avoid excessive exposure  to sun, get HPV vaccine, exercise 30 minutes each day, drink enough water so your urine is mostly colorless.

Question 9

how many ct scans would you need to cause a significant risk? are full body scans a lot of radiation?

Accepted Answer

Life is more complex: One person cannot know if she will be the unlucky one to get cancer from the CT's. She may never get cancer despite many CT's, she may get cancer unrelated to the CT's, or she may be unlucky and get cancer from the CT's. One can try to live life in a relaxed manner, and not worry about all the possible things that can happen to unlucky people. Get a CT, MRI, or any test only when truly necessary!

Question 10

will having 2 full body ct scans totally 55msv effect my future children? does all of that radiation damage my eggs?

Accepted Answer

No: If you were not pregnant at the time and total pelvic radiation was below 70 , there should be no concern about radiation effects to future childbearing.

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Doctor answers about:

Do CT Scans Expose Patients To Dangerous Levels Of Radiation

A member asked:

Is there a tool that a dr. can use to check the level of patients radiation exposure from all the x-rays and ct scans in ones life?

A member asked:

I had 2 ct scans within a month after two hard hits to the head. is this dangerous in terms of radiation? never had one before.

A member asked:

I had 2 ct scans within a month. is that really dangerous? what problems could this pose? worried about radiation exposure.

A member asked:

Are ct scans dangerous? i just had one for chronic sinusitis and after reading online i'm very worried about radiation. did i do the right thing?

A member asked:

Is it dangerous to have two ct scans within 2 weeks period. is that to much radiation?

A member asked:

I had 3 ct scans in the past 2 years, 4 total in life. doc wants me to get another for swollen nodes in neck. is this a dangerous amount of radiation?

A member asked:

What to do about radiation poisoning from weekly-ish ct scans?

A member asked:

I have had 3 ct scans of my head this year. how worried to i have to be about too much radiation?

A member asked:

How many ct scans would you need to cause a significant risk? are full body scans a lot of radiation?

A member asked:

Will having 2 full body ct scans totally 55msv effect my future children? does all of that radiation damage my eggs?

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