Have you ever been to a sonologist’s clinic? And do you wonder how is it possible to see inside your body? Your curiosity is genuine, as this procedure has complete science behind it. The ultrasound procedure is based upon high-frequency sound waves. These waves help in developing the sonogram during the ultrasound.
The ultrasound test that is also known as sonography is performed to view inside your body. This test is very essential for your medical diagnosis. The technology used in ultrasound examination is much similar to radar and sonar that helps in detecting military planes and ships. There is no radiation used in this process, rather sound waves are transmitted into the body and when they bounce back with different frequencies after hitting the organs and blood vessels inside the body, they make images on the monitor of the ultrasound machine.
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What Are The Purposes Of Ultrasound Scans?
The ultrasound scans are performed to see different organs, blood vessels, and tissues inside your body without any incision and invasive procedure.
The ultrasound scan has the most important function during the pregnancy period. This test helps in confirming the pregnancy, seeing the growing fetus, location of the placenta, the position of the unborn baby, anomalies in the baby, and many other important things related to mother and baby.
Apart from pregnancy, your doctor may advise you to go for an ultrasound scan if you have any pain, swelling, lump formation, or any other symptom that needs to be detected by viewing your body and organs from inside.
Usually, an ultrasound is performed and provides you with an inside view of;
- Upper abdominal organs like liver, spleen, gallbladder, pancreas, stomach, intestines.
- Lower abdominal organs like ovaries, uterus, urinary bladder, kidneys, prostate, and testicles (in case of males)
- Eyes
- Brain
- Blood vessels
- Thyroid gland
Moreover, ultrasound-guided medical procedures are also performed by different surgeons. These procedures may help in diagnosing or taking biopsy samples.
Read About The Different Types OF Ultrasounds Available In Pakistan Over Here!
What Are The Steps Of An Ultrasound Scan?
The ultrasound steps are according to the area or organ to be examined. But many people want to understand the ultrasound working.
The first step is preparation for an ultrasound scan. For this, your doctor will guide you about the important protocols related to that specific ultrasound scan. For example, for upper abdominal scan, you may need to fast for almost 10-12 hours. As the undigested food in your system may block, the passage of ultrasound waves, and affects the results.
Similarly, for a lower abdomen scan, you need to hold your urine so that your bladder should appear full in the scan, which helps in viewing the reproductive organs, etc.
For a scan of the liver, spleen, gallbladder, or pancreas, you are advised to avoid meals containing fat in the evening before your test and to fast until the test.
According to the part or organ of your body to be examined, you need to expose that body part. In most hospitals, you are given a hospital gown before an ultrasound test.
What Is The Ultrasound Procedure?
For the ultrasound procedure, you need to lie down on the table. According to the test, you need to expose that specific body part.
The ultrasound technician applies a special lubricating jelly-like gel on your skin. This helps in reducing the friction between the transducer and the skin, and it helps in transmitting the sound waves into your body.
The ultrasound waves are high-frequency sound waves that can not be heard by human ears. They usually range between 2 to 18 MegaHertz.
The transducer is a wand-like device that helps in transmitting the sound waves inside your body part. It has a similar appearance to a microphone.
The high-frequency sound waves enter your body and hit the organs, bones, tumor, masses (if any), and bounce back like an echo. These reflected waves are converted into a picture on the monitor of the machine. The sonologist interprets this picture that is known as a sonogram.
The sonologist gives you a written report with pictures like sonograms. After the procedure, the gel will be wiped off from your skin.
The procedure usually takes 30 minutes, but it depends on the area to be examined. You can do your regular daily life chores after this test with no problem.
If You Want To Know More About Sonology and Sonologists, Click Here!
What To Expect After The Ultrasound Scan?
After the scan, the sonologist provides you the report within 24 hours. If you have any abnormality in your body or any disease, your sonologist diagnoses it or discusses it with your physician or surgeon.
You may also need other diagnostic procedures like a CT scan or MRI if any problem or abnormality is seen in the ultrasound report.
And if your problem is diagnosed with the ultrasound scan, your treatment will start immediately.
Safety Concerns Related To Ultrasound Scan:
The ultrasound test is considered very safe as compared to other radiation testing techniques. It has no ionizing radiation exposure. But it does not mean you can have unnecessary ultrasound scans whenever you can. Especially during pregnancy, ultrasound scans are recommended only when medically needed.
FAQs
What is the technology used in ultrasound procedures?
The echoing or bouncing back of high-frequency sound waves makes an image of inside your body part or organ. This technology is used in an ultrasound scans.
Is any radiation used in ultrasound scans?
No, there is no use of any radiation in an ultrasound scan.
Who performs the ultrasound tests?
The sonologists perform ultrasound tests.
What is the ultrasound procedure?
The high-frequency sound waves are transmitted into your body through a transducer to view inside your body. The sound waves bounced back after hitting the dense structures inside the body and forms an image on the monitor.
If you are looking for a good sonologist, who can perform your ultrasound scan with accuracy and professionalism, you can find the best sonologists on Marham.pk platform.
You can book your appointment with the top sonologists in Lahore by dialing the number 0311-1222398 or you can get an appointment through Marham’s official website or mobile app.
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