Adapted from Massachusetts General Hospital. X-rays are a type of radiation called electromagnetic waves. X-ray imaging creates pictures of the inside of your body. The images show the parts of your body in different shades of black and white. This is because different tissues absorb different amounts of radiation. Calcium in bones absorbs x-rays the most, so bones look white. Fat and other soft tissues absorb less and look gray. Air absorbs the least, so lungs look black. The most familiar use of x-rays is checking for  fractures (broken bones), but x-rays are also used in other ways. For example, chest x-rays can spot pneumonia. Mammograms use x-rays to look for breast cancer. When you have an x-ray, you may wear a lead apron to protect certain parts of your body. The amount of radiation you get from an x-ray is small. For example, a chest x-ray gives out a radiation dose similar to the amount of radiation you're naturally exposed to from the environment over 10 day...

  Adapted from Bioninja What is an ECG or an EKG?   An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is a test that checks how your heart is functioning by measuring the electrical activity of the heart. With each heart beat, an electrical impulse (or wave) travels through your heart. This wave causes the muscle to squeeze and pump blood from the heart. An ECG measures and records the electrical activity that passes through the heart. A doctor can determine if this electrical activity is normal or irregular. An ECG may be recommended if you are experiencing  arrhythmia ,  chest pain , or palpitations and an abnormal ECG result can be a signal of a number of different  heart conditions . Culled from www.heartandstroke.ca

   

  Adapted from Diabetes UK Diabetes types Diabetes mellitus, commonly known as diabetes, is a metabolic disease that causes high blood sugar. The hormone insulin moves sugar from the blood into your cells to be stored or used for energy. With diabetes, your body either doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t effectively use the insulin it does make. Untreated high blood sugar from diabetes can damage your nerves, eyes, kidneys, and other organs. There are a few different types of diabetes: Type 1 diabetes  is an  autoimmune disease . The immune system attacks and destroys cells in the  pancreas , where insulin is made. It’s unclear what causes this attack. About  10 percent  of people with diabetes have this type. Type 2 diabetes  occurs when your body becomes resistant to  insulin , and sugar builds up in your blood. Prediabetes  occurs when your blood sugar is higher than normal, but it’s not high enough for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. Ges...

  Culled from Healthecareers Your radiologist is a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating disease and injury, using medical imaging techniques such as x-rays, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear medicine, positron emission tomography (PET), fusion imaging, and ultrasound. Because some of these imaging techniques involve the use of radiation, and require training to understand radiation safety and protection. Your radiologist has graduated from an accredited medical school, passed a licensing examination, and completed a residency of at least four years of unique postgraduate medical education in, among other topics: Radiation safety/protection Radiation effects on the human body Appropriate performance and interpretation of quality radiologic and medical imaging examinations The majority of radiologists also complete a fellowship — one to two additional years of specialized training in a particular subspecialty of radiology, such a...