Ultrasound scans use high-frequency sound waves to capture images and videos of the inside of the body. Abdominal ultrasounds help your doctor see the organs and structures inside the abdomen.
Ultrasound images are captured in real-time. They’re able to show the structure and movement of internal organs as well as blood flowing through blood vessels. This test is the most commonly used one to view and examine the fetus in pregnant women, but it has many other clinical uses as well.Why is an Abdominal Ultrasound Performed?
Abdominal ultrasounds are used to check the major organs in the abdominal cavity. These organs include the gallbladder, kidneys, liver, pancreas, and spleen.
In fact, if you’re a man between the ages of 65 and 75 and smokes or used to smoke, then you should have an abdominal ultrasound test to check for an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
If your doctor suspects you have any one of these other conditions, an abdominal ultrasound may be in your near future:
• blood clot
• enlarged organ (such as the liver, spleen, or kidneys)
• fluid in the abdominal cavity
• gallstone
• hernia
• pancreatitis
• kidney blockage or cancer
• kidney stone
• liver cancer
• appendicitis
• tumours
How do You Prepare for the Test?
Ask your doctor if you can continue to drink water and take your medications as you normally would before an ultrasound. Your doctor will usually tell you to fast for 8 to 12 hours before your ultrasound. That’s because undigested food in the stomach and urine in the bladder can block the sound waves, making it difficult for the technician to get a clear picture.
There’s an exception to fasting if you’re having an ultrasound of your gallbladder, liver, pancreas, or spleen. In those cases, you may be instructed to eat a fat-free meal the evening before your test, and start fasting after it.
If you need to have your abdominal ultrasounds, then we at Toronto East X-Ray & Ultrasound, know that time must be taken out of your busy schedule. We know that to complete the medical necessities, you need the best hours and service. We are open 7 days with long hours during the week to guarantee that you have all the time to get it done.
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