Ultrasound is a safe, non-invasive imaging technique used in diagnosing and treating health conditions. It produces no ionizing radiation (like X-rays) and is the most commonly used imaging method to evaluate pregnancy.
The technology is used in a wide variety of medical settings, including surgery https://radiantmedicalimaging.com/, emergency medicine, and on animals. It is also useful in industrial applications, such as cleaning and accelerating chemical reactions.
Diagnostic ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of structures in the body, such as organs and bones. This information is then used by doctors to diagnose disease.
It also allows them to visualize soft tissues, such as the spleen, bladder, and uterus. Doctors use ultrasound to monitor the growth of a baby in the womb, as well as examine the fetal heart and blood vessels.
During the test, a sonographer passes a thin device called a transducer over an area of your body or inside an opening in your body. They apply a water-based gel that reduces the air between the transducer and your skin, making it easier for sound waves to bounce back to the transducer and produce an image.
An ultrasound scan can take from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the area of your body being examined. Once the scan is completed, the sonographer will discuss your results with you.
If you have a health concern, your healthcare provider will recommend an ultrasound as part of a medical treatment plan. Your healthcare provider may also refer you to another specialist, such as a cardiologist, who can do an ultrasound as well.
A ultrasound is a great way to check on your pregnancy and help figure out the due date of your child. However, it does not find every problem that could be causing your symptoms. Your health care provider might recommend further tests, such as a CT scan or an MRI, to help confirm your diagnosis and the extent of your condition.
When an ultrasound is performed by a trained healthcare professional, the process is very safe. It is not harmful to the fetus or the mother, and it is generally well tolerated by patients.
Prenatal and postnatal ultrasound is used to monitor the health of the fetus. It is also useful to detect any complications that may occur during pregnancy, such as miscarriage or preterm birth.
It is also valuable for diagnosing conditions of the fetus, such as Down syndrome, chromosomal abnormalities, and neural tube defects. In addition, it can be helpful for detecting and tracking infections that affect the fetus.
Therapeutic or interventional ultrasound uses sound waves above the range of human hearing to interact with tissues in your body, such as delivering drugs, heating tissue, dissolving blood clots, or destroying abnormal cells. It is also used to help heal wounds and remove tumors.
The most common ultrasound procedure is a prenatal scan. It can detect early signs of pregnancy problems and help your healthcare provider determine the due date.