Health Matters: When Do Ultrasounds Come in Handy?
Many people dread the thought of going through medical procedures. That is quite normal. The thought of some procedures can send a chill down anyone's spine. However, having some knowledge of the medical procedures you will undertake can be reassuring. Knowing what to expect can make you comfortable during the treatment. It prepares you mentally.
On that note, how much do you know about ultrasounds? Simply, ultrasound refers to the use of sound waves to derive images that show what is happening inside your body. Do you know when medical practitioners can resort to ultrasound when examining or treating you? Find out in the following piece.
- Ultrasounds and Diagnostics
Diagnosis is the first step that a practitioner takes before he or she can start treating you. They need to know the ailment before administering medication or taking you through a specific procedure. Typically, diagnosis involves a series of tests. Imaging also comes in handy, as the doctor can examine the images of your organs to determine what you are suffering from. Ultrasound imaging mainly works for diagnosing conditions affecting various organs. It can give useful images of the kidneys, heart, bladder, eyes and blood vessels, among other organs.
Sadly, you cannot rely on ultrasounds when diagnosing body organs with dense bones or that are full of air. They prevent the proper transmission of sound waves, meaning that the doctor cannot get clear images when he or she is examining you.
- Ultrasounds and Pregnancy
Ultrasounds have a range of uses when it comes to pregnancy. In the initial stages of the pregnancy, the doctor can use them to determine the due date of the pregnancy. They can also show if you are bound to have twins or more. More importantly, the images show the location of the foetus so that you can tell if you are bound to have an ectopic pregnancy.
Ultrasounds help you prepare for the birth of your baby. You can tell the child's sex before they are born. When the pregnancy progresses, an ultrasound can show the size of the baby, which helps you to select the least complicated method of delivering the baby when it is due.
- Ultrasounds and Biopsies
Biopsy procedures are necessary for examining tumours to determine if they are cancerous. Doctors rely on ultrasound images when they take on procedures such as needle biopsies, which require them to remove a sample from a precise section of an organ inside your body.
For more information on ultrasounds, contact a doctor.