Contents:
- Medical Video: What does a breast ultrasound detect ? |Health Issues & Answers
- How does ultrasound work?
- What health problems can be detected through an ultrasound examination?
- 1. Bile system
- 2. Urinary system (urination)
- 3. Cardiovascular system (heart and blood vessels)
- 4. Appendicitis
- 5. Enlarged lymph nodes
- What are the side effects of ultrasound examination?
Medical Video: What does a breast ultrasound detect ? |Health Issues & Answers
Ultrasound examination is usually done to check all kinds of things related to pregnancy - to find out the sex of the baby, monitor the condition of the baby in the womb as a whole, to look for problems in the body of pregnant women who can risk their pregnancy. However, did you know that ultrasound is also used to detect many other health problems that are not related to pregnancy? Yes!
Old, young, male or female may be advised to undergo an ultrasound if the doctor feels it is necessary. This aims to ensure the diagnosis of the disease, so you can get the right treatment.
So, what are the health problems and diseases that can be detected by ultrasound? Read on to find out more.
How does ultrasound work?
Ultrasound or ultrasonography (sonogram) is an examination test that uses high frequency sound waves to describe the condition of organs in the body.
When you do an ultrasound, the body part that is examined will be applied to the gel, and then the doctor will move the controller stick called the transducer over the body part. This transducer will send high frequency sound waves to organs and body fluids in the area. This sound wave will then bounce back in the form of an electrical signal to the engine which will convert it into an image. You can see pictures of organs in your body on the monitor screen.
For example, you are asked for a heart ultrasound. After your chest has a special gel smeared, the transducer stick that moves on it will "take pictures" of your heart and your chest. On networks that have high density, such as bone, an ultrasound screen will display a white image. While soft tissue, such as the heart, will appear as a black image.
What health problems can be detected through an ultrasound examination?
In addition to checking the condition of pregnancy, an ultrasound examination also serves to detect health problems in:
1. Bile system
All diseases or disorders related to the bile system can be detected through ultrasound.
The gallbladder is located between the intestine and the liver which functions to store bile from the liver until the time comes to be released into the intestine to help digestion. Bile itself is a greenish yellow liquid whose function is to digest fat. Bile fluid can accumulate and crystallize over time causing health problems, such as gallstones and cholecystitis. Pancreatic problems also include those that can be detected by ultrasound examination of the bile system.
2. Urinary system (urination)
Ultrasound examination can detect and provide a clear picture of the problem with the urinary tract, which starts from the kidney to the bladder. Medical diseases or conditions that can be detected include hydronephrosis (kidney enlargement), kidney tumors, thickening of the urinary tract wall, until the testicles do not drop in the child and twisted testicles (testicular torsion).
3. Cardiovascular system (heart and blood vessels)
Cardiac ultrasound is also called echocardiography. This examination specifically uses doppler ultrasound. Doppler is mostly used to measure the rate of blood flow in the heart and large blood vessels. The picture that will appear in the form of a red and blue picture.
With echocardiography, you can immediately see how well the functions and structure of the heart work accurately. Cardiac ultrasound can tell you how the heart valve moves, the heart wall, and how well blood flow in the heart chambers.
With this tool you can see whether your heart functions are good, especially if it's done after a heart attack.
4. Appendicitis
Appendicitis (appendicitis) is inflammation of the appendix caused by a blockage. The appendix is a small tube-shaped structure that attaches to the beginning of the large intestine. The appendix does not have a specific function, but when the blockage breaks, appendicitis can endanger life.
When seen through ultrasound examination, the picture that will appear is the appendix will be larger than usual and there is a thickening of the wall of the appendix.
5. Enlarged lymph nodes
An ultrasound examination can tell the doctor about the presence of swollen lymph nodes and other problems associated with it (lymphadenopathy, lymphadenitis).
Swollen lymph nodes are usually more susceptible to children because their immune system is still developing. The causes of swelling include sore throat, viral infections, ear infections, dental infections, bacterial infections, and HIV / AIDS infections.
In addition to checking the condition of the pregnancy and the five types of problems mentioned above, an ultrasound can also be performed on the throat and vagina according to what is needed by the doctor to be examined. The size of the transducer stick can vary depending on the location of the inspection.
What are the side effects of ultrasound examination?
Ultrasound examination may cause a temporary heat sensation at the location of the examination when imaging is done. But ultrasound is a safe medical procedure and does not have serious long-term side effects or complications.
