How to Prepare for a CT Scan: A Complete Patient Guide

Introduction to CT Scan

A CT scan, also called a Computed Tomography scan, is a diagnostic tool used to detect various medical conditions. It is fast, painless, and noninvasive and offers detailed images of internal organs, such as bones, soft tissues, and blood vessels. CT can help diagnose various medical conditions, such as internal injury from an accident.

If you are looking for a CT scan, choose Bookmeri Lab Diagnostics. Although the price of a CT scan could differ from lab to lab, at Bookmeri Lab Diagnostics, you will get affordable scans with the best quality.

Purpose of CT Scan

A CT Scan (Computed Tomography scan) is a diagnostic imaging procedure that combines X-ray images taken from different angles.

It helps doctors see bones, blood vessels, and soft tissues more clearly than standard X-rays.

Diagnosing Injuries and Illnesses—The scan helps to identify fractures, internal bleeding, and organ damage after trauma. It also detects tumors, infections, and abnormalities in various body parts, such as the brain, chest, abdomen, and pelvis.
Guiding Medical Procedures—The scan provides a precise image of the target area, making it useful for guiding biopsies, surgeries, and radiation therapy.
Monitoring Conditions—It tracks the progression of diseases like cancer or heart disease.
Detecting Vascular Issues- CT angiography helps to evaluate blood vessels and detect blockage or aneurysms.

Preparation Required for CT Scan

The CT scan depends on the type of scan and the body part being examined. Here are the general guidelines:

You may need to fast and avoid drinking water and other liquids for a few hours before the scan.
Before the scan, remove all jewelry, eyeglasses, belts, safety pins, or dentures.
Your healthcare provider will provide you with a hospital gown.
Always inform the technician if you’re pregnant, diabetic, allergic to contrast dye, or have kidney issues.

How Does the CT Scan Work?

You can take a CT scan in a hospital or other clinics. CT scans are painless. With newer machines, scans take only a few minutes, and the whole process takes only 30 minutes.

Your healthcare provider would ask you to

lie down on a motorized table.
The table slides into a doughnut-shaped machine.
The X-ray tube rotates around your body and captures the images. You might hear buzzing or whirring noises.
A computer processes these images to form 3D visuals of organs and tissues.

The healthcare professional sitting in another room can see and hear you. You can talk with a technologist through an intercom.

After the scan, you can get back to your routine. If you were given contrast dye, you have to wait some time before leaving to ensure you feel OK. Your healthcare provider will ask you to drink water to remove the dye from your body.

What is a CT Scan with Contrast?

A CT Scan provides detailed images of bones, tissues, and blood vessels inside your body.

The CT scan images appear in shades of black and gray.

Contrast dyes contain barium or iodine, which can be offered orally or intravenously (in your vein). This dye improves the contrast level and resolution of the images produced in the CT scan, allowing accurate diagnosis.

However, some people can be allergic to it, which is also bad for their kidneys.

However, every CT scan exposes a certain level of radiation. A CT scan with contrast may produce better results and prevent the need for a repeated scan.

With contrast	Without contrast
acute appendicitis	acute stroke
staging cancer	closed head injuries
diverticulitis	lung disease
Inflammatory bowel disease	tissue swelling or injury in your arms or legs
pancreatitis	kidney stones
pulmonary embolism	spinal trauma

What are the Different Types of CT Scans?

There are several types of CT scans depending on the area of diagnosis:

Head CT Scan– Used to detect brain injuries, stroke, tumors, or bleeding.
Chest CT Scan– This helps examine the lungs, heart, and blood vessels.
Abdominal CT Scan- Detects stomach, liver, spleen, kidney, and intestines issues.
Pelvic CT Scan- Evaluates reproductive organs and the urinary tract.
Spinal CT Scan- This checks for spinal injuries, disc herniations, and vertebral fractures.
CT Angiography- Highlights blood vessels using a contrast dye.
Low-dose CT Scan- Often used for lung cancer screening.
Whole Body CT Scan- Used in cancer detection, trauma cases, and disease monitoring.

Who Should Take the CT Scan?

A doctor may recommend a CT scan if you:

Have experienced a severe injury or trauma
Show symptoms that suggest internal organ damage
Need tumor detection or cancer staging
Require pre-surgical evaluation
Experiencing unusual pain, swelling, or bleeding
Have a history of stroke, heart problems, or neurological issues

CT scans are also used for routine health screenings in certain high-risk individuals.

Common Problems That a CT Scan Can Detect

A CT scan can detect or diagnose the following conditions:

Tumors and cancers (lungs, liver, pancreas, brain, etc.)
Bone fractures and injuries
Internal bleeding and blood clots
Stroke and brain disorders
Infections or inflammations (appendicitis, abscesses)
Lung conditions like pneumonia or tuberculosis
Kidney stones and gallstones
Heart diseases and blocked arteries
Injuries from accidents or trauma

The clarity and detail of CT images make them ideal for detecting even subtle changes in the body.

Are there any side effects from CT scans?

While CT scans are generally safe, some potential side effects or risks include:

Radiation Exposure—CT scans use more radiation than regular X-rays. Repeated exposure may pose a risk over time.
Allergic Reactions—Some people might be allergic to contrast dye, which can cause itching, rashes, or nausea. Severe reactions are rare.
Kidney Problems- For people with pre-existing kidney disease, the contrast dye can sometimes worsen kidney function.
Pregnancy Concerns: Not recommended unless absolutely necessary during pregnancy due to radiation risk to the fetus.

Always consult your doctor and let them know about your medical history and concerns before the scan.

What is the Risk of a CT Scan?

CT scans are fast, noninvasive, and safe. The most significant risk is radiation exposure.

If your doctor has recommended a CT scan with contrast, inform your doctor if you are allergic to iodine or IV contrast. This type of CT scan can affect kidney function, so your doctor will check your kidney function through a blood test before the CT scan.

What is the CT Scan Price ?

The CT scan price is INR 1000 at Bookmeri Lab Diagnostics. You can book your scan online or call us to make an appointment. We ensure that we provide the top diagnostic experience at highly cost-friendly prices.

The CT scan is painless and does not require much preparation. You can get your scan done quickly in emergencies. We ensure that you receive accurate scan results within the TAT. In addition, if you’re experiencing unusual symptoms or need detailed internal imaging or a CT scan, we can fulfill all your demands by providing exceptional services.

FAQs

Is a CT scan painful?

No, the CT scan is a completely painless and non-invasive procedure.

How long does a CT scan take?

Depending on the scanned area, the CT scan takes only 10 to 30 minutes.

Can I eat or drink before a CT scan?

If contrast dye is used, you may need to fast for a few hours. Follow your doctor’s instructions.

What should I do after the CT scan?

If you use a contrast dye, you should drink more water to flush it out. However, you can restart your daily activities after the scan.

How much does a CT scan cost?

The cost of a CT scan is INR 3000. Book your appointment with us to get accurate results on time.

What is a CT scan mainly used for?

CT scans produce detailed and cross-sectional images of the body to diagnose and monitor various conditions, such as injuries, diseases, and tumors, and to guide medical procedures.

What is a CT scan vs MRI?

CT scans use X-rays to create detailed and clear images of bones and some soft tissues. MRI uses magnet waves and radio waves to produce images

of internal organs.