If you are scheduled to have an ultrasound, relax. It is one of the few imaging tests that are stress-free. There is very little you need to do to prepare, but we will give you some tips to answer the question: what do I need to do before a diagnostic ultrasound.
What Is A Diagnostic Ultrasound?
An ultrasound is also known as sonography or a diagnostic medical sonography. A diagnostic ultrasound uses high frequency sound waves to create images of organs and other structures inside our body. It’s a valuable tool for doctors to diagnose and treat many diseases.
Ultrasound doesn’t use radiation, and is less expensive than other forms of imaging tests.
After applying a warm gel to the area being examined, the sonographer uses a handheld probe which sends sound waves into your body. This device is usually outside the body, but some ultrasounds involve placing it inside the body.
These sound waves will bounce off certain organs and tissue in your body. This creates echoes, and the echoes get sent back to the transducer, which converts them to electronic signals. Finally a computer processes the signals into pictures and shows them on a television monitor. This gives the radiologist the ability to examine images from the area being examined.
What Does An Ultrasound Examine?
If your ultrasound is examining your abdomen, it can be focusing on your liver, kidneys, gallbladder, pancreas, biliary ducts, or para-aortic region. Pelvic ultrasounds look at the uterus, fallopian tubes, or ovaries. Other areas examined include the appendix, breast, carotid, renal, thyroid, or shoulder.
Preparing For The Ultrasound Test
- Wear loose comfortable clothing.
- Leave valuable jewelry at home, or you will need to remove it before a test.
- An ultrasound is painless, however sometimes it may be uncomfortable if you are required to have a full bladder during the test.
- Most tests take approximately 30 to 60 minutes.
Special Preparations
If you are having an abdominal ultrasound, do not eat or drink anything for 8 hours before the test. Water and pills are OK. Talk with your radiologist about your specific requirements. If you are having a pelvic ultrasound, you will be required to drink 32 ounces of water or 4 glasses 1 hour before the test. The images will be examined by a radiologist and sent to your physician. You may receive your results during a follow up appointment or via a phone call.
Contact Alabama Coastal Radiology if you are scheduled for an ultrasound and have additional questions or concerns.
Sources: How to Prepare for an Ultrasound | Salem Radiology
Ultrasound Exam: How to Prepare | UCSF Radiology
How do I prepare for an abdominal ultrasound? • Gateway Diagnostic Imaging