An Overview on Ultrasound Technique

Ultrasound is one kind of scanning method that makes use of high sound waves that helps to produce perfect images of the structures inside your body. It’s also called as sonography and medical sonography.

How Does An Ultrasound Work?

Emergency ultrasound works in same way to sonar technology that uses sound waves for detecting any objects under the ocean’s surface. Your healthcare professionals or diagnostic sonographers are highly trained in using the ultrasound probe. This probe is one device that produces sound waves.

Sonographer puts some kind of special gel on your body part that helps to examine the result. They pass this probe over and inside the area. The sound waves from this probe bounce off the internal tissues. Sound waves create the live picture & display this on their computer screen. You cannot hear these sound waves.

When It Should Be Done?

Generally ultrasound is suggested depending on symptoms or for:

• Assessment of fetus inside your uterus at time of pregnancy
• Assessment of the breast lump
• Diagnosis of cancer
• Evaluation of thyroid gland
• Assessing abnormalities of tendons and muscles
• Diagnosis of gallbladder disease
• Diagnosis of any infections

Do I Need Ultrasound?

You might need ultrasound if you’re pregnant. There’s not any radiation used during this test. It is the safest way to check your unborn baby health. You might require diagnostic ultrasound in case you have any symptoms in organs and tissues. It includes kidneys, heart, gallbladder, thyroid & female reproductive system. Besides you might need ultrasound when you’re getting the biopsy. Ultrasound helps your physician to get a better and clear image of area they are testing.

How Is Ultrasound Done?

Preparation differs depending upon the body part you are scanned for. Your health care provider will ask you remove some side of your clothes or may ask to change. For this scan, you have to lie on the side or on the back on comfortable table. Ultrasound test generally takes 30 mins to 1 hour.

During this test, trained professional:

• Puts gel: You will have the water-soluble gel applied on your skin on the area getting examined. The gel doesn’t harm your skin and stain your clothes.
• Scanner: Technician moves instrument over this gel and scanner will move on the skin and inside the body.
• Asks you hold still: Provider might request you to hold down your breath for some seconds. Being still will help to create the clearer pictures.
• Cleans the skin: Technician wipes off remaining gel on the skin

What Do Ultrasound Detect?

The ultrasound will help the providers to diagnose various medical issues like:

• Abnormal growth, like cancer, cysts and thyroid nodules
• Enlarged spleen
• Clots
• Kidney stones.
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Heart problems
• Varicocele
• Cholecystitis
• And more