CT Scans, Excessive Radiation?

[Cory830]

O.k. this is really eating at me. About eight months ago, I got a CT scan on my head at the ER for a splitting headache (turned out to be inflammation of the mastoid and sinus infection). About a month ago, I got a CT scan with contrast for chest pain that had been persistent for about six months. Well this week, I went to an urgent care facility for pain in my lower right abdomen and the doctor says though I don't show all the signs, I might have appendicitis, and I should get an abdominal/pelvis CT scan. I somehow failed to mention my previous CT scan and just went along with it because I heard appendicitis and freaked. I told the person administering the scan and she didn't seem to think anything of it, but then again she was a nurse. After it turned out to just be a swollen lymph node, I am sitting here thinking I have exposed myself to extreme amounts of radiation and at 21 years of age too. How dangerous might these scans be? Should I be worried? Three in eight months? Two in one month?

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

Nowadays CT scans are being used increasingly for diagnosis as it provides an unparalleled view of the human body. At the same time  about one third of them are medically unnecessary. Please be careful in future and do question its relevance with your health care provider.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2007-11-28-dangerous-scans_N.htm

[AlaskaAngel]

Cory,

Sometimes it is the medical provider who might be too quick to offer a radiologic scan, and sometimes it is the patient who puts the pressure on by panicking and demanding scans to the nth degree -- and sometimes it is a combination of the two. You seem to have a variety of health problems. Hopefully the article in this link might help you to take a look at the situation and figure out the best answer to your question.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/health/322432_radiation05.html