My name is Melinda Johnson and I suffered with foot pain for many years. I went to see a podiatrist and after an examination, I was told that I had heel spur syndrome. I followed the recommendations of my doctor by doing at home treatments along with physical therapy. I was amazed at how much these treatments helped my foot pain. Living with pain can have a big impact on your life and that's why I started this blog. My foot pain kept me from doing many things that I enjoy and I want to help others who are going through the same situation. As you browse through my blog, you'll learn about home treatments, medical procedures and new advancements in medicine that can help reduce pain. It is my hope that by writing this blog, you can live pain free too.
Loving My Pain Free Life
Everything You Need To Know About Getting An Ultrasound At Your Local Imaging Center
Claire Roberts
Ultrasounds are a common medical procedure, but not everyone understands how or why they are used. Here's what you need to know.
What is an ultrasound?
The Mayo Clinic describes an ultrasound, or sonogram, as an imaging method that uses sound waves to produce images of structures within a person's body.
Are ultrasounds only for pregnant women?
While ultrasounds are commonly used for pregnant women, particularly around the 18 to 21-week point in order to identify the sex of the baby, there are many other uses for ultrasounds.
It is used to look at the mother's and baby's heart, blood vessels, kidneys, liver, and other organs. An ultrasound is also used to guide biopsies and other procedures.
What are the different types of ultrasound areas?
There are many different types of ultrasounds, but the most common are:
- Abdominal. This is used to look at organs in the abdomen such as the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and kidneys. The images are used to look for tumors, cysts, or other abnormal growths.
- Obstetric/gynecologic (OB/GYN). This is used to look at the female reproductive organs, including the uterus and ovaries. The images can be used to look for tumors, cysts, or other abnormalities. Additionally, OB/GYN ultrasounds are used to look at developing babies during pregnancy.
- Vascular. This type of ultrasound imaging is used to look at the blood vessels, including the arteries and veins. The images are used to look for blockages, aneurysms, or other issues with one's blood vessels.
Where do you get an ultrasound?
You can get an ultrasound at many different places, including your doctor's office, a hospital, or an imaging center.
What is an imaging center?
An imaging center is a facility that specializes in diagnostic imaging, such as ultrasounds, X-rays, and MRIs. Many imaging centers have a wide variety of diagnostic imaging services, while others may specialize in a certain type of imaging, such as an ultrasound. Additionally, due to the fact that imaging centers focus solely on images, they tend to have highly sophisticated equipment.
What do you need to do to prepare for an ultrasound?
Most ultrasounds do not require any special preparation, but there are a few types of ultrasounds that may require you to do something beforehand. For example, if you are having an ultrasound for your gallbladder, you may be asked to eat a fat-free diet for a few days beforehand. Additionally, pregnant women may be asked to drink water and not urinate in order to move the bladder out of the way during an OB/GYN ultrasound.
If you are unsure about getting an ultrasound, talk to your doctor to see if it is the right test for you. Keep these tips in mind when looking for ultrasound scans from clinics near you.
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