Ultrasound

What is an ultrasound?
An ultrasound scan is a medical test that uses high-frequency sound waves to capture live images from the inside of your body. It’s also known as sonography.  An ultrasound allows your doctor to see problems with organs, vessels, and tissues without needing to make an incision. Unlike other imaging techniques, ultrasound uses no radiation. For this reason, it’s the preferred method for viewing a developing fetus during pregnancy.

How to prepare for an ultrasound:

The steps you will take to prepare for an ultrasound will depend on the area or organ that is being examined. Your doctor may tell you to fast for eight to 12 hours before your ultrasound, especially if your abdomen is being examined. Undigested food can block the sound waves, making it difficult for the technologist to get a clear picture. For other examinations, you may be asked to drink a lot of water and to hold your urine so that your bladder is full and better visualized.  It’s important to follow your doctor’s instructions and ask any questions you may have before the procedure. An ultrasound carries minimal risks.

How an ultrasound is performed:

Before the exam, you will change into a hospital gown. You will most likely be lying down on a table with a section of your body exposed for the test. An ultrasound technologist, called a sonographer, will apply a special lubricating gel to your skin. This prevents friction so they can rub the ultrasound transducer on your skin. The transducer has a similar appearance to a microphone. The gel also helps transmit the sound waves. The transducer sends high-frequency sound waves through your body. The waves echo as they hit a dense object, such as an organ or bone. Those echoes are then reflected back into a computer. The sound waves are at too high of a pitch for the human ear to hear. They form a picture that can be interpreted by the doctor. After the procedure, the gel will be cleaned off of your skin. The exam will take 30-60 minutes, depending on the area being examined. The images will be reviewed by a Radiologist and results will be sent to your doctor. You will be free to go about your normal activities after the procedure has finished.