Ultrasound examination - What you should know about it

An ultrasound examination, also called sonography, is a procedure used to visualize internal organs. It can also be used to diagnose various diseases.
In the process, ultrasound waves gently penetrate the tissue. It is a non-invasive, painless and safe method. Read more about it in this article.

What is an ultrasound examination?

An ultrasound examination, also called sonography, is a diagnostic method in which high-frequency sound waves are sent into the body. Sound waves are reflected by tissues in the body. This creates an image. This is displayed on a screen. The doctor can use the image to evaluate the condition of organs, tissues or blood vessels.

How does an ultrasound work?

A gel is applied to your skin. This serves as a contact agent between your skin and the ultrasound machine.

The doctor then passes a handheld device over your skin, which sends high-frequency sound waves into your body.

The sound waves are reflected by the body's tissues. These reflected waves create an image that is displayed on a screen. Here, the handheld device is moved to examine different areas of the body and produce multiple images.

What is an ultrasound examination used for?

An ultrasound exam can be used to diagnose and monitor a variety of conditions. Here are some of the most common uses of ultrasound exams:

Pregnancy

An ultrasound exam is an important part of prenatal care to monitor the fetus and detect any problems.

Internal organs

An ultrasound exam can be used to look at the structure and function of internal organs such as the liver, kidneys, spleen, pancreas and gallbladder.

Blood vessels

An ultrasound may be used to check blood vessels such as arteries and veins for narrowing or blockage.

Thyroid gland

An ultrasound may be used to examine the size and structure of the thyroid gland and detect possible nodules or changes.

Breast

An ultrasound may be used to detect and monitor changes in the breast.

What are the benefits of an ultrasound examination?

There are many benefits of an ultrasound examination, including:

Non-invasive: an ultrasound exam is a non-invasive method that does not require needles or instruments.

Painless: An ultrasound exam is painless and does not require anesthesia or sedation.

Safe: An ultrasound exam does not use ionizing radiation like X-rays, which means it is safer than other imaging modalities.

Versatile: An ultrasound exam can be used to examine a variety of tissues and organs and is capable of capturing both static images and dynamic motion.

Quick and easy: An ultrasound examination is quick and easy to perform and usually requires no special preparation.

What are the risks of an ultrasound examination?

An ultrasound examination is considered a very safe method, and there are few risks or side effects. The only risk is that tissue damage can theoretically occur when ultrasound is used in very high doses, but this is extremely rare and usually only occurs during very long and intense exams.

Conclusion

Ultrasound examination is a safe and painless method that allows the doctor to see the inside of your body and diagnose and monitor various diseases. It helps to make an accurate diagnosis and plan the right treatment.

Its applications range from prenatal care, examination of internal organs and blood vessels, to thyroid and breast examinations. The advantages of the method are numerous, including non-invasiveness, painlessness, safety, versatility, and ease of performance.

It is a simple, painless technique. It relates to prenatal care, diagnosis and treatment of internal organs, blood vessels, thyroid and breast.
Ultrasound examination is an indispensable diagnostic method. It has many advantages and few risks.