|
  |
|
|
X-rays, CT Scans and Other Routine Procedures: What You Should Know About Contrast Media
By M. Miller
Many medical procedures that are considered routine – such as some types of X-rays or CT scans – employ a contrast medium. A contrast medium is a substance introduced into the body in order to make certain body tissues more visible on the test result. Depending on the test required, the contrast medium may be swallowed, inserted by enema or injected intravenously. Tests such as X-rays of the gallbladder and kidneys and angiograms use iodinated contrast media, which contains iodine (often referred to as RCM). MRIs that require a contrast medium usually use gadolinium-based contrast agents. When to Be Cautious Gadolinium-based contrast agents used in MRIs are extremely safe. Very rarely a person might experience mild to moderate allergic symptoms, but these have no lasting after effects. If a person has had such a reaction in the past, there is medication available to reduce the risk of having such a reaction again. Although the vast majority of people have no ill effects from them, there are situations in which iodinated contrast media should be avoided. Intravenous contrast media is eliminated from the body through the kidneys, so people with impaired kidney function may have to avoid it. People with diabetes, or other conditions that might affect their kidneys may have to have a blood test first, to check their kidney function and whether they can handle the contrast medium. On rare occasions, people can have an allergic reaction to iodinated contrast medium. The symptoms can include nausea, hives, itching or flushing. Rare severe allergic reactions can lead to anaphylaxis and death. Immediate treatment with epinephrine may be required. If you have had a mild allergic reaction to iodinated contrast medium – such as hives or a rash – in the past, your radiologist may pre-medicate you. This means you may be given some medications prior to the X-ray or procedure to reduce the risk of another more serious reaction. You should also make sure that you have had plenty of water to drink and are well hydrated. Allergic reactions tend to be much more severe if you are dehydrated when you have the test. Pre-medication may also be a good idea if you have asthma. Iodine-based contrast media can increase the risk of triggering an asthma attack. To prevent this, the radiologist may have you take steroids before the test. Iodine and Shellfish Allergy There is a prevalent myth – even among medical professionals – that people can have “iodine allergy.” Actually, iodine allergy does not exist. Iodine is essential to the human body and is found in everyone. Some people have been told that an allergy to shell fish makes them more likely to have an allergic reaction to iodinated contrast media. Obviously, if this were true, it would be a problem for people who for religious or other reasons do not eat shellfish and thus have no way of knowing whether or not they have such an allergy. However, there is no connection between the two kinds of allergies.
|
Contributor's Note
M. Miller is a writer who specializes in health and travel, and the editor of The Jerusalem Insider's Guide.
|
|
|
 |
|
PLEASE VISIT THE CONTRIBUTOR'S WEBSITE
No reactions yet.
Please login or sign up to rate this intel.
Please login or sign up to add a comment.
The copyright for this content entitled "X-rays, CT Scans and Other Routine Procedures: What You Should Know About Contrast Media" has been specified by the contributor as:
All Rights Reserved
This content may not be copied, distributed or adapted by anyone under any circumstances.
|
|
|
This intel was contributed by mitzi
|
May, 2012
2008
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2009
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2010
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2011
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2012
January, February, March, April, May
|
|
Not a member yet?
Qondio is a powerful network for making it online. If you have a website to
promote, we can help.
Sign up and get in on the action.
|
|
Welcome to Qondio! Discover the awesome power this network can deliver by going to our About page. Or you could skip straight to the Sign Up form.
|
|
