Ultrasounds 101: What Every Patient Needs To Know

Common Uses For Ultrasounds

Ultrasounds have an application whenever a doctor needs to get more information about what is happening beneath a patient's skin. Since the applications for ultrasounds are too many to list, we will stick to discussing the common uses for ultrasounds. Their primary use is diagnosing other health conditions. They can help doctors to identify issues in the heart, liver, gallbladder, uterus, kidneys, eyes, thyroid, spleen, and pancreas. Individuals can get conditions like pregnancy, cancer, joint injuries, and heart problems diagnosed through an ultrasound. Ultrasounds, of course, are not just used for diagnostics. Their ability to provide a real-time image lets them assist doctors while they are doing other tasks. For example, an ultrasound could guide a doctor to the right spot to perform a needle biopsy. In some medical conditions, like pregnancy or a healing injury, regular ultrasounds can be used to monitor the patient's progress.

Continue to examine both the benefits as well as the risks of ultrasounds.