Do you have an ultrasound scan? Don't worry, let's find out the details (Ultrasound)

Did your doctor tell you to have an ultrasound scan? When he said that, you probably felt a little scared or curious, right? It's normal for questions like "Will this hurt?", "Why is this being done?", "What is this being done to look at inside the body?" to come to mind. But there's really no reason to be scared. Today, let's talk about what this ultrasound scan is, what it does, and how safe it is, all in a very simple and friendly way.

Simply put, what is an Ultrasound Scan?

Ultrasound is sometimes called `(Sonography)`. This is actually a special method used to take pictures of things inside our bodies, such as organs and blood vessels. Imagine that it is a method that allows us to look inside our bodies without cutting them or using any kind of radiation (such as X-rays). That is the biggest advantage of this.

When most people think of ultrasound, they only think of the scan used to look at the baby during pregnancy. That's true, and it's used a lot for that. But in addition, doctors use this method to detect and diagnose many other diseases. That means it's a very useful medical test.

Okay, so how does this machine see inside the body?

The way it works is both amazing and simple. It does this by using high-frequency sound waves that you can't hear.

Think about it this way. How does a bat fly at night without hitting walls? The bat makes a sound through its mouth. The sound hits the obstacle in front of it and is reflected back. Based on the time it takes for the sound to arrive, the bat knows how close and how big the obstacle is. Ultrasound scans are similar.

1. Device (Transducer/Probe): There is a small device that the person doing the scan moves over your skin, like a microphone. This is called the `(Transducer)` or probe.

2. Gel: Before placing this device on your skin, a special gel made from water is applied. This creates a path for the sound waves from the device to travel through your body without any obstruction. This gel is harmless and can be easily washed off even if it gets on your clothes.

3. Sound waves: The device sends sound waves into the body that you can't hear.

4. Reflection: The sound waves hit organs inside the body, such as the liver, kidneys, and uterus, and then return to the device.

5. Image: The reflected sound waves received by the device are analyzed by a computer and displayed on the screen as a picture (sonogram) at the same time.

Simply put, that's what happens. Isn't it an amazing technology?

What types of ultrasound scans are there?

Ultrasound scans can be divided into three main parts.

• Pregnancy ultrasound:This is the type that most people know.
• Diagnostic ultrasound: This is used to diagnose various medical conditions.
• Ultrasound guidance for procedures: This is used to help ensure that certain treatments are performed correctly.

Let's now look at each of these types in a little more detail.

Prenatal Ultrasound

Doctors use this scan to monitor the health of the mother and the unborn baby throughout pregnancy. It can check for:

• Confirm whether you are pregnant.
• See if there is one baby or twins in the womb.
• Estimate how many weeks pregnant the baby is and the due date.
• Check the baby's growth and position in the womb.
• Watch the baby's heartbeat and movements.
• Check for any congenital conditions of the baby's brain, spine, heart, and other organs.
• Check whether the amount of amniotic fluid in the uterus is sufficient.

The scan, usually done at 20 weeks, is very important. It allows you to see the baby's development very well. Sometimes this scan can also reveal the baby's sex (boy or girl). Tell the person doing the scan in advance whether you want to know this or not.

Types of Diagnostic Ultrasound to Detect Diseases

Your doctor may recommend a diagnostic ultrasound to find out what's causing your various pains, lumps, or abnormal blood test results. There are several types of ultrasounds. Let's take a look at a few of them.

Ultrasound as an aid to treatment

Sometimes doctors use ultrasound to help them perform a treatment very precisely, like looking at a map to find your way.

Here are some cases where this is used:

• Take a piece of tissue from a tumor or organ for examination (Biopsy).
• Inject medicine into a joint correctly.
• Make sure that the IUD (IUD) used by women is properly inserted into the uterus.
• In vitro fertilization (IVF), the embryo is inserted into the uterus.

What are 2D, 3D, and 4D scans? Are they safe?

You may have heard the terms 3D and 4D when talking about scans during pregnancy.

• 2D Ultrasound: This is the standard, commonly performed scan. It produces a flat, black-and-white image. This 2D scan is the most important medically for viewing and measuring the baby's internal organs.
• 3D Ultrasound: This can take a three-dimensional (3D) still image of things like the baby's face and fingers.
• 4D Ultrasound: This is a method where you can view 3D images in motion, like a video.

But here's something very important. The FDA in the United States does not approve of 3D/4D scans for "research purposes" or "keepsake" purposes without a medical reason. This is because unnecessary, prolonged exposure to ultrasound energy is not advisable. Also, it is dangerous for untrained people to operate these machines. Therefore, it is wise to have an ultrasound scan only for a medical need recommended by a doctor, and only by a qualified medical professional.

How do I prepare before the scan?

How you prepare for this will vary depending on the type of scan you are having. Some scans don't require any preparation.

• For a pelvic or pregnancy scan , you will be asked to drink plenty of water and keep your bladder full. This is because a full bladder helps organs like the uterus to be more clearly visible.
• For an abdominal scan , you may be asked to abstain from eating and drinking for a few hours before the test.

However, your doctor or hospital will give you instructions before the scan. It is very important to follow those instructions exactly.

What happens during the scan? Does it hurt?

The scan is a very simple process and usually takes between 30 minutes and an hour.

1. You will be asked to wear a hospital gown.

2. He tells me to lie down on a comfortable bed.

3. The sonographer (technician) who performs the scan will apply the gel to the area being examined. It may feel a little cold.

4. Then, the probe will be placed on the skin surface and moved back and forth to obtain the necessary images.

5. Sometimes you may be asked to hold your breath for a few seconds to get a clear picture.

6. When the pictures are finished, the gel will be wiped off and you will be sent away.

Does this hurt?

Scans performed through the skin are painless . You may feel a slight pressure when the probe is pressed in. Scans performed through the vagina or rectum may be slightly uncomfortable, but they are not painful. If you experience any discomfort, tell the person doing the test.

When will I receive the results (report)?

The time it takes to receive the report may vary depending on the scan being performed. In cases like a pregnancy scan, you may be able to get some information right away.

But the normal process is that the images from the scan are examined by a radiologist, who prepares a full report. The report is then sent to the doctor who recommended the scan for you. Finally, your doctor will review the report and explain what it contains to you.