Ultrasounds are most commonly thought of as the procedure a pregnant woman has in order to see how well her baby is doing. However, ultrasounds are, in reality, used for so much more than just fetus check-ups. They're also used for evaluating pain and swelling, taking a look at the heart and blood vessels, liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, kidneys, eyes, thyroid, and scrotum; and can also be used to guide needle biopsies, diagnose a variety of heart conditions, help physicians see blood clots, tumors, and less than normal or greater than normal blood flow to various parts of the body. (Among many other purposes!)
Clearly, ultrasounds are one of the most widely used and useful tools in the medical industry. But what does an ultrasound actually do? And what can you, as a patient, do in order to prepare, other than refraining from shivering & biting your tongue when the icy cold ultrasound gel hits your skin? Well, read on friends, because all the information you need is below.
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Preparation
Abdominal - For an abdominal exam, you'll be advised to go without food and drink for 6 hours prior to your appointment. I know fasting for six hours is tortuous, so I'd recommend making your appointment first thing in the morning.
Also recommended for an abdominal exam is that necessary meds may be taken, but with only a small amount of water.
Kidney - Jackpot! No six hour fast!
Pelvic - You must have a full bladder before the ultrasound is performed, and it is advised to drink 36 oz of water one hour before your appointment. Because your bladder will be full when the exam is performed, you may feel some discomfort.
Obstetrical - Congrats! Follow the prep for your trimester.
1st trimester – Follow pelvic prep.
2nd and 3rd trimester – No patient prep needed! Relax. You're about to be a mom.
Thyroid - No prep needed!
Breast - Also no prep!
Scrotal - You are in the clear my friend, no prep!
Before you have the ultrasound, you might be asked to take off your jewelry and some or all of your clothing. You'll then change into a gown and lie on the exam table. Bonus points if you don't wear jewelry at all the day of your ultrasound because you prepared and read this article.
Ultrasounds are considered painless and safe; though the gel that's applied to your skin feels like it's been buried in a Polar ice cap so that may be unpleasant for some. Pelvic exams may also be uncomfortable due to the required full bladder (as discussed above.)
After you survive the arctic gel, (which is there to keep air pockets that can block sound waves from forming,) the sonographer (ultrasound technician) will press the transducer (that small handheld device that looks like soap,) against your skin over the area being examined. The sonographer will move the transducer around in order to capture the image they need.
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How Ultrasounds Work
The transducer sends sound waves into your body through the gel, collecting the sound waves that bounce back, and sending them to the ultrasound computer, which then creates the image.
Most of the time, ultrasound is done outside of the body. Sometimes, though, ultrasounds need to be done inside the body. Here are examples of the exams:
Transesophageal echocardiogram - A transesophageal echocardiogram (you're forgiven if you can’t pronounce it,) is when the transducer is inserted into your esophagus in order to obtain heart images. This is usually done with sedation.
Transrectal ultrasound –The transducer is inserted into a man's rectum in order to view his prostate.
Transvaginal ultrasound – A transducer is inserted into a woman's vagina in order to see her uterus and ovaries. If you're getting a transvaginal ultrasound, you will need to follow the prep for a pelvic ultrasound.
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And there you have it. What you'll need to do in order to prepare for each type of ultrasound, and what goes on during the actual exam. Your doctor can give you more detailed information of course, but, hopefully, some of your questions were answered.
As always, Clermont Radiology will be here to make your ultrasound as simple and carefree as possible. Contact us today to make your appointment.
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