Things have come a long way since the first human x-ray (pictured) was performed in 1896. Today, digital x-rays are faster, safer, more accuate and less exensive than traditional film x-rays.

If your physician orders x-ray imaging for diagnosis of a medical issue, be sure you request that your diagnostic imaging be done via digital rather than conventional film x-ray. You’ll get a more thorough and accurate diagnosis, you won’t have to wait weeks for results and you’ll likely pay less with a digital x-ray, Jacksonville’s Precision Imaging Centers says.

First discovered in 1895, traditional film x-rays use high concentrations of radiation, which can be harmful to living organisms. That’s why pregnant women must not undergo certain types of x-rays that will expose fetuses to hazardous levels of radiation. Film x-rays also require the use of photo developing chemicals that can be harmful to the skin and must be hauled away by a chemical disposal company when the x-ray machine is no longer in use to avoid environmental issues.

Today, physicians and imaging professionals increasingly choose digital x-rays over traditional film x-rays for reasons that benefit both the patients and the staff. Digital x-rays capture images via digital sensors that use far less radiation, thereby posing a far lesser health risk to patients. Images are available immediately and special processing techniques can be applied to enhance the images. This immediacy certainly beats the weeks you might wait for film x-rays to be processed and delivered – and the additional time, effort and financial cost spent for a re-do if a film x-ray image comes back unusable.

Digital images also can be easily edited and quickly transferred to your physician for review and final diagnosis. As we all know, the earlier a patient is diagnosed, the better his or her chances for effective treatment – no matter the medical condition. Plus, the full process can be completed for much less money. In fact, Precision Imaging Centers typically can save you up to 90 percent over traditional hospital charges for the same procedures, including digital x-rays.

Jacksonville’s top imaging firm is conveniently located on the Southside of town and is open early mornings, late evenings and weekends to cater to your busy schedule. Call 904-996-8100 or use our online appointment scheduling form to request your consultation today.

Women are recommended to undergo a mammogram at age 40, a colonoscopy at 50 and bone density test at 65.

May 8-14 is National Women’s Health Week. Are you aware of the top recommended diagnostic imaging tests for women, Jacksonville? The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health, along with health organizations nationwide, highly recommends that women of certain ages undergo three diagnostic imaging tests. Jacksonville’s Precision Imaging Centers offers each of these tests and tips for what to expect:

1. Bone Density Test: Jacksonville women can find out whether they are at risk for osteoporosis with a bone density test, also known as a DXA (dual-energy X-ray). Osteoporosis is a weakening of the bones that affects nearly 10 million older Americans. A full 80 percent of them are women, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation. Women can lose upwards of 30 percent of their bone mass in the five to seven years following menopause, so it’s recommended that women get bone density tests at age 65 and every five years thereafter. Tests are especially important for women who weigh less than 127 pounds, have ever smoked, have had non-traumatic fractures as an adult or have a family history of osteoporosis.
2. Mammogram: Jacksonville women 40 and older should have a mammogram once a year, as well as a breast ultrasound or MRI if a calcium deposit or mass is spotted. If tests determine that a lump is a solid mass, a biopsy is the next step. Regular mammograms can help detect breast cancer when it’s confined to the breast. When diagnosed at this stage, 97 percent of women survive without a recurrence for at least five years, according to statistics gathered by the American Cancer Society.
3. Colonoscopy: Ok, Jacksonville women. We know this one ain’t no fun. But it’s important. And it doesn’t have to be quite as uncomfortable an issue as it once was. A colonoscopy can detect colorectal cancer even before symptoms occur. An optical colonoscopy involves the insertion of a long, flexible tube outfitted with a tiny camera into the patient’s anus and gently gliding it into the rectum and through the colon. In the less invasive virtual colonoscopy, a tube is inserted into the anus, but not advanced into the rectum. Instead, the tube fills the colon with air and a CT scan is performed to create virtual images of the colon. This less invasive procedure can prove just as effective in detecting polyps as an optical colonoscopy. That’s important because, when caught in its early stage, colorectal cancer is more than 90 percent curable.

To schedule your diagnostic imaging tests, contact Jacksonville’s Precision Imaging Centers at 904-996-8100 or via our online appointment scheduling feature.

Going to the doctor can be scary enough for young children. So the idea of an X-Ray or MRI may prove particularly stressful. You see sophisticated equipment that can help identify risks to your child’s health. Your child, however, may simply see a big machine with laser-like lights strong enough to see through their skin and bones. Her perception of what it’s like to get an X-Ray or MRI can be intimidating. To help ease your child’s fears – and perhaps even make the experience a fun one – Precision Imaging Centers of Jacksonville offers these tips:

Precision Imaging Centers offers tips on making your child's X-Ray or MRI a fun experience.

• First, explain the process of an X-Ray or MRI to your child in simple terms. It’s best to do this shortly before the exam for younger children because they have shorter attention spans. Older children and teens will appreciate being given more time to understand and prepare themselves for the exam. They’ll likely want to search the Internet for information and feel that they are taking some charge of their own health.

• For younger children, role playing the process with a favorite doll or stuffed animal can help make the experience seem fun. Adding that element of fun can be incredibly comforting.

• Assure your child that getting an X-Ray or MRI will not hurt. An injection of IV contrast may be administered if your child is getting an MRI. You can explain that contrast is a little like Easter egg or T-shirt dye and it helps make the pictures brighter and easier for the doctor to see what’s going on inside your child’s body.

• Also explain that the knocking sound she hears during the MRI simply means that the machine is clicking away the pictures. Some children worry that the sound means the machine is broken.

• Encourage your child to speak up if she has any questions or concerns. Let her know that it’s okay to talk with the doctor herself – and be sure you choose a doctor who has a warm and comforting bedside manner. Most of all, make sure your child understands that getting an X-Ray or MRI doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong – it’s just a check to help make sure that her body stays healthy and happy.

• Plan a reward for your child afterward, such as a trip to the ice cream shop, the play park or a movie. This will encourage her to be cooperative and feel proud that she helped the doctor and contributed to her good health.

If your child’s pediatrician recommends an X-Ray or MRI, let them know you’d like to be referred to Precision Imaging Centers. We offer early morning, late evening and weekend hours for those with busy schedules. Our state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment rivals that of leading hospitals nationwide and we’re able to offer services for as much as 90% less that hospital pricing for comparable exams. Make an appointment online or call 904-996-8100 to talk with a diagnostic imaging specialist today.

For harried, pressure-driven executives, health is more than a good idea – it’s an imperative for a competitive edge. That’s why Precision Imaging Centers offers comprehensive executive screening including MRI, Cat scans, PET/CT scans and Digital Ultrasound imaging to check for health issues common among management professionals.

Keep your company's competitive edge sharp by keeping your employees healthy with comprehensive executive screening services by Precision Imaging Centers.

Gone undiagnosed and untreated, health problems that are typical among those living in the C-suite can end up costing a company thousands in lost productivity when a manager or high-producing executive falls ill. Regular diagnostic screenings tailored specifically for executives and managers can detect existing and potential heart, respiratory and neurological problems caused or exacerbated by high-stress lifestyles. Working in tandem with a patient’s physician, Precision Imaging Centers offers customized comprehensive screening examinations based upon the patient’s medical and family history, lifestyle diet and career demands. Our cutting-edge technologies and highly experienced radiologists mean more definitive results, allowing for more effective health management.

In most cases, Precision Imaging Centers can save corporate clients up to 50% compared to average hospital charges for imaging services. Plus, mindful of the busy executive’s tight schedule, we offer early morning and late evening hours (7 a.m.-11 p.m. weekdays) and weekend appointments (Saturdays 8 a.m.-5 p.m.).  And physicians have access to secure, 24/7 online results and medical records.

Keep your company’s competitive edge sharp by keeping your executives healthy. Make an appointment at Precision Imaging Centers in Jacksonville’s Southside today.

Precision Imaging Centers uses the latest and most advanced digital X-Ray equipment. Older X-Ray equipment uses film in the process of imaging, but digital images are better diagnostically and can be transmitted and stored electronically. Also the process of digital imaging uses less ionizing radiation than film based equipment.