It’s natural to have questions when your doctor orders medical imaging. Is the ultrasound going to answer the question about that weird pain in your shoulder? Is it going to finally help you figure out what that weird thing in your abdomen is? There are a lot of reasons to get a medical image and getting a clear answer brings a ton of relief.
The good news is, imaging is a fairly straight forward process. It helps to know how ultrasound works, how to prepare for your exam, and what to expect. The relaxation methods work best when you’re armed with some background about the procedure.
How Sound Waves Bring Clear Answers
Ultrasound does not use any sort of ionizing radiation like X-Rays or CTs. Instead it uses sound waves that are outside the range of human hearing (much like the sonar that marine animals and ships use.)
To produce images, ultrasound devices use a handheld transducer that sends and receives sound waves. The waves are reflected off of different structures in the body (organs, fluid, tissues, etc.) and are captured by the device. The device then transforms the reflected waves into live images of what is happening in the body. Because the images show structures in motion, doctors can see blood moving through arteries and watch heart valves open and close.
Important Areas in Which High-Frequency Scans Provide Answers
Ultrasound is versatile and can aid in the diagnosis of various conditions. Some of the areas it helps in include:
- Obstetrics and Women’s Health: Ultrasound can confirm an early pregnancy and help measure the growth of a baby during pregnancy. Pelvic exams and ultrasounds can help determine the status of female reproductive organs. For mothers and fathers expecting a baby, ultrasound can give a visual of the developing baby and provide peace of mind. It can help determine if a baby is developing normally and help diagnose some birth defects.
- Musculoskeletal and Joint Evaluations: For athletes or people that have strained muscles or tendons, high-resolution scans can help by showing tears or swelling in muscles, tendons or nerves.
- Abdominal and Internal Organ Checkups: Persistent stomach pain, indigestion, or kidney problems may require an ultrasound of the upper and lower abdomen. This type of ultrasound provides a clear picture of the liver, gallbladder, kidneys, pancreas, and spleen, and can help the doctor identify gallstones, cysts, or inflammation, etc.
- Vascular and Blood Flow Studies: Doppler ultrasound is a specialized study that helps in evaluating the flow of blood in veins and arteries. This study helps in evaluating blood clots in deep veins of the leg (DVT) and varicose veins, and helps determine obstructions in blood vessels.
Practical Preparation Tips for Your Upcoming Appointment
Preparing for a scan is not a complicated process, but there may be variations as per the specific area being scanned. Following the preparation instructions ensures the best possible image.
- Full Bladder: For obstetric/pelvic and kidney scans, you may be asked to drink a sufficient amount of water and not use the bathroom for an hour before your scan. A full bladder, along with the other fluid in the body, can help provide a clearer view of the surrounding organs.
- Fasting: For an upper abdominal scan, you may be required to fast for 6 hours prior to the scan. This helps in removing gas from the stomach and gives a clear view of the gallbladder to the sonographer.
- Comfortable Attire: Wear loose, two piece clothing. This will help the sonographer access the area being examined easily.
- Your Referral, Imaging and Medicare Card: As each patient report is reviewed by several radiologists, it is essential that your referring medical practitioner’s report and all relevant imaging reports are forwarded with you, otherwise your report may not be forwarded to your preferred doctor.
Your Scan Experience
On arrival for your scan you will be taken to a comfortable room, where you will be required to remove some, or all of your clothing, and then lie on an examination couch. A sonographer will apply a small amount of warm, water based gel to the area to be scanned to help eliminate air pockets between your skin and the scanning device. Gel will be reapplied as needed.
Air must be eliminated to allow the ultrasound waves to enter the body. The process will be similar to a massage, and should not be painful. The whole process can take 15 to 30 minutes, after which you can return to your regular activities, as the gel will not stain your clothes.
Local Medical Imaging
Imaging clinics are often in easy to reach locations, making it easier to manage your health and giving you peace of mind knowing that you won’t have a long journey to a clinic while you are already feeling anxious or unwell.
CareScan wants to make sure they meet your needs and that you have a comfortable experience.
Simple Steps for Following Up on Your Results
- Continue Effective Communication: A sonographer technically performs and reviews your scan images. These images are then formally interpreted by a specialist radiologist.
- Request a Doctor’s Appointment: A detailed diagnostic report is sent to your referring doctor/GP within 24 to 48 hours, and you should follow up with your doctor to discuss your results and what the findings mean regarding your treatment and management plan.
- Keep Your Images: A growing number of clinics offer patients access to their scan images via a secure website. Therefore, you may be able to easily send your images to a specialist or physical therapist when needed.
Conclusion
It is important that you understand your results and take responsibility for your health. If your health care professional offers ultrasound as one of the diagnostic tools, it is in your best interest to find out the details of your condition and get the peace of mind you need to plan your next steps.
Talk to CareScan Medical Imaging
If you are looking for trusted medical imaging in Narellan or surrounding areas, the team at CareScan is here to walk you through your options. Contact CareScan today to book a consultation and find diagnostic imaging options that fit your health goals.
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