Ultrasound
What is Ultrasound Imaging?
Ultrasound imaging involves high-frequency sound
waves that produce pictures of the inside of your body.
Because ultrasound images are captured in real-time,
they can show the structure and movement of the
body’s internal organs, as well as blood flowing through
blood vessels.
Advancements you will experience at Family Health
Care's Imaging Center in ultrasound technology include
three-dimensional images (3-D) and four-dimensional
(4-D) ultrasound which is 3-D ultrasound in motion.
Doppler ultrasound is a special ultrasound technique
that evaluates blood as it flows through a blood vessel.
Doppler ultrasound images can help the physician to
see and evaluate:
- blockages to blood flow (such as clots)
- narrowing of vessels (which may be caused by plaque)
- tumors and congenital malformation
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Ultrasound is a useful way of examining many of the
body’s internal organs, including but not limited to:
- heart and blood vessels, including the abdominal aorta
- liver
- gallbladder
- spleen
- pancreas
- kidneys
- bladder
- uterus, ovaries, and unborn child (fetus) in pregnant patients
- thyroid and parathyroid glands
- scrotum (testicles)
- diagnose a variety of heart conditions
- help evaluate symptoms such as: pain, swelling and infection
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How should I prepare?
For some scans your doctor may instruct you not
to eat or drink for as many as 12 hours before your
appointment. For others you may be asked to drink up
to six glasses of water two hours prior to your exam and
avoid urinating so that your bladder is full when the
scan begins. After an ultrasound exam, you should be
able to resume your normal activities.
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