Essay on "How and Why Did X-Ray Technology Come to Be Used in Medicine"

Essay 6 pages (1960 words) Sources: 6

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Ray Technology in Medicine

How and why did x-ray technology come to be used in medicine?

In a period spanning more than the last century, the medicine world has been able to maximize totally on technology. X-ray technology has been in existence since 1895 and did not take long before introduction to the medicine world. These rays halt movement on hitting mass and the color depends on the type of body part. There was a strong need for this technology because of the internal problems that occur within the body. There are diseases in the body that cannot be found by diagnosis, and a picture is of considerable importance. This was why it was imperative that there was an introduction of such technology. It still is of the same use as the days of the invention where it examines living tissues for any discrepancies. There have also been cases where the technology has been applicable in the treatment of diseases. Therefore, the application of X-ray technology is still an essential aspect in the world of medicine and human life.

Use of this technology does not mean that there is change in the diseases that are examinable by X-rays. This can be seen in the treatment of tuberculosis. This is an old disease that has long evaded a method of cure. On the introduction of the use of this technology in medicine, tuberculosis is now looked at in another perspective. This explains why the basis of the search for the cure is now how X-rays can be used to look for a cure (Pasveer, 1993, p89). The disease itself is no longer a basis of research. This representation of the disease, however, did not change its nature in any way, and it was the same. It was the use of X-rays that vividly provided the traces for the spread of the disease. Scientists determined that the infection of tuberculosis was not only determinable by some physical characteristics as was the misconception. They were able to determine this after years of research with the technology.

The disease starts in the hilum and not the apex of the lung. This is the root of the lung specifically, a point that was not determinable with the use of the earlier methods. With the knowledge of the source of this disease, it would be extremely easy to curb its spread. Also, the research proved that it was not only adults who were at risk of this deadly disease. Children were at a risk of contracting the disease as much as adults. This information is now beneficial because it avoids any risks in the disease spread. It is imperative that the disease is detectable early before it spreads and reaches the chronic level. Therefore, checkups using X-ray technology are the only way to avoid the risk of contracting deep-rooted tuberculosis (Pasveer, 1993, p92).

One of the major killers of women was maternity. This was because of the dilemma in the midwifery process where it was unclear as to what extent of technology could be used to interfere with the normal process of birth. However, it was imperative that there was intervention to minimize the risk of mortality and complications. There was no estimation of the pelvic length which meant that it was hard to determine the possibility of a Caesarean section on women. X-rays were later utilized to determine the pelvic length of a human. This was a breakthrough in the medicine world particularly in this obstetrician aspect which was not famous for its prospects.

This invention was hugely valuable to the development of prenatal care. It also reduced significantly the levels of Caesarean section use which was most likely the leading cause of mortality. It was also now possible to treat the diseases that were related to the pelvis especially amongst the women. This technology was also able to detect any discrepancies and proved as a preliminary to the process of birth. Up to date, use of X-rays is imperative in prenatal care. It is, however, unclear as to what extent of the technology is suitable because of the effects that it may have in the health of the patient (Howell, 1985, p129). However, the importance of the technology cannot be underestimated because of the benefits that are accrued which go a long way in even avoiding deaths.

X-ray technology is crucial in the medical branch of orthopedics. This is the branch that deals with treatment of bones especially the dislocations that occur around the hip. In the use of this technology, it was not viewed only as a diagnostic tool to the disease. In fact, it was a part of the therapeutic process which was mainly dependent on the preference of the surgeon. Also, the use of this technology brought invention of new theories as to the level of satisfaction in the treatment process (Hiddinga, 1992, p135). They were able to provide a visual evidence of the problem which to some extent was the ultimate level of transparency. The German practitioners adopted the move quickly and were using it in their work as early as 1896.

X-ray technology offered the chance for the surgeons to track the changes that occurred within the living joint in a long period. Therefore, it was now possible that the whole information concerning the transformation was collected. This was as a result of long-term comparisons that could give conclusive evidence. A picture before the diagnosis of the problem could show the severity of the damage and give the leads as to the process that was most suitable in treatment (Hiddinga, 1992, p135). Consequently, a picture after treatment served to provide insight as to whether the surgery had been successful. In between, the pictures show the response of the patient to the treatment and show whether any modifications were necessary. The visual impression that they provide was also evidence as to what the process was capable of doing. This process has been in use up-to-date and is particularly pivotal in the modern medical world. This is because X-rays provide an evaluation of the success of the surgical and non-surgical operations in the dislocation of hips.

One of the problems in the heath cares was in the determination of fractures. It was singularly unclear how to diagnose a fracture and most of the time a manual method was used. However, this method had its own flaws. This was because the process was likely to lead to more damage than before because it was manual. It was thus necessary that an efficient and painless method was invented. The use of X-rays provided a relief to this sector. This is because it was a painless method and the examiner was able to use the technology to diagnose the discrepancy. The efficiency that this technology provides was a point of interest because there was the detection of the simplest fracture unlike the manual method which only displayed the greatest fractures. The knowledge on the fractures was pivotal in determining the fitness of militants especially during the time when the war was rampant. It was also practical in law as it provided evidence especially in cases that involved bodily harm (Warwick, 2005, p4).

The impact of the X-ray technology in women health is indisputably large. This is particularly during pregnancy and birth. The rays have the capability to determine the positioning of the fetus when still unborn. This process is superior because it involves no physical contact. This means that the patient does not expose any of her body parts, and the vagina is not manipulated in any way. This can be viewed as a protective aspect of the woman compared to conventional methods, which are likely to lead to uneasiness. X-rays are also extremely essential in providing the correct diagnosis of pregnancy. This is because it has the capability to show the fetus which is a certainty of pregnancy (Howell, 1985, p127). This is better unlike other observatory methods which leave room for errors. The health for women is better followed where the best care can be implemented to detect any discrepancies in the pregnancies. Early detection is beneficial as it provides a chance for correction before serious damage.

Different authors have their own opinions on the purpose of this technology in medicine. Anja Hiddinga focuses on the estimation of the pelvis as the primary purpose of X-rays. The author states exceptionally clearly that in the early days, it was extremely hard to determine the measurement of the pelvis, especially in women. This is the reason why the focus is on the pelvis which determines the suitability of the Caesarean section (Hiddinga, 1992, p134). JD Howell concurs with this approach and certifies that the best use of the technology was in assistance of women. The author says that this is the only sure way to diagnose pregnancy. Also, the learning of the position of the fetus with the help of an X-ray picture is a basis of prenatal care for the woman.… READ MORE

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