All About Ultrasound Scans
An ultrasound is a diagnostic imaging technique that uses sound waves to produce the scan images of the inside of the body. The images produced can be visualised in real time during the scan. The ultrasound is also known as sonography. The scan images can capture images of the organs of the body such as liver, kidney, vessels, tissues etc. Most commonly an ultrasound scan is used during pregnancy to monitor child’s growth and development
Uses of ultrasound
- To monitor growing foetus for its growth and development
- To evaluate blood flow
- To examine breasts for its lump
- For diagnosing gallbladder disease
- To find problems related to genitals
- To examine prostate
- To evaluate metabolic diseases of bones
- For checking thyroid gland
- For guiding biopsy procedures
- For planning treatment for tumours
- To assess inflammation of joints (synovitis)
Types of Ultrasound Procedures
- Transvaginal ultrasound
- Doppler ultrasound
- Breast ultrasound
- Kidney ultrasound
- Thyroid ultrasound
- Abdominal ultrasound
- Transrectal ultrasound
- Pelvic ultrasound
How Do I Prepare for an Ultrasound?
Most ultrasound scans do not require any preparation before although some ultrasound tests do. Some general preparations are mentioned below-
- If you are to have a pelvic ultrasound or reproductive ultrasound for females, you might need to drink 4-5 glasses of water to fill up your bladder.
- For an abdominal ultrasound scan, you might be asked to fast (not eat anything or drink anything except water) before the tests.
- The special preparations are usually told by your healthcare provider before the tests.
- You will be asked to remove any jewellery before the exam
- You will be asked to change your clothes into a hospital gown.
What Happens During the Ultrasound?
- You need to lie on a scan table
- The ultrasound technician will then apply a gel like substance which is water soluble on the skin that is going to be examined
- The gel does not harm you skin in an way
- A transducer or probe is used to capture images of your organs
- The transducer or probe is run ver the skin part where gel is applied and held for a few seconds to capture clear pictures
- Once the technician gets enough pictures , the gel is wiped off.
- Whole process takes a maximum of 30 minutes to50 minutes.
What Are the Risks of An Ultrasound Scan?
- Unlike the radiation based scans like CT scan and X-rays, ultrasound scans do not pose any potential risks.
- The ultrasound scans are usually painless. Both internal and external ultrasound scans do not pose any risks. You can feel some discomfort during the examination if the device is pressed against your skin or inserted into your body.
- You might get an allergic reaction during the internal ultrasound scan techniques, because of latex use. You can always ask your doctor to not use any latex based cover for the ultrasound probe.
- An endoscopic ultrasound scanning technique can lead to certain side effects and can be a little discomfortable as well. Side effects include sore throat or bloating.
- In very rare instances, you may develop internal bleeding.
Conclusion
An ultrasound scan is the most commonly used imaging technique in case of pregnancy. Io can also be used in other conditions such as to detect kidney stones,, mammography is a specialised ultrasonography procedure which is used to detect breast cancer diagnosis. If you are worried about your health and are seeking the best ultrasound centre near you, Ganesh diagnostic and imaging centre offers cost friendly and 100% reliable reports in the quickest time possible.
