An ultrasound is an incredibly common procedure. Though it is often thought of as a simple way to view an image of a gestating infant, there are many more uses in the medical field. From non-invasive views of internal organs to therapy, this particular form of viewing has more applications than most individuals might suspect. It is always wise to know a bit about how a particular medical procedure works, and also about how it can be used.

What Is Ultrasound?

An ultrasound is a medical technique used to create sonic images of the interior of the patient’s body. This procedure is done by bouncing high-frequency sound waves into the body of the individual in question, and then displaying the returning waves in a visual format. The technique is more than fifty years old, and it is one of the safer diagnostic techniques in medicine. It has no known negative side effects, and it is considered safe enough to use on pregnant women that it has become the dominant method used to check on a pre-natal infant’s health.

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The Ultrasound Machine

An ultrasound machine may come in one of two basic models – internal and external. The external model is more commonly used in diagnosis, though the internal model may be used for a “closer” look in some cases. The external model is entirely non-invasive, and relies on no contact with the interior organs. There are a number of variations on both types of machines, each of which can lend a greater deal of specialization to specific tasks. None of the machines use any form of harmful radiation, though, and the process is fairly non-invasive even in the case of the internal sonograms for most patients.

The Baby Ultrasound

The baby ultrasound is perhaps the most common use of this technology. This variation on the procedure relies on the external form of the machine, and allows a doctor to get a view of the baby as it develops in the womb. This has a number of diagnostic benefits, and also allows for the parents-to-be to have a first view of their child. The 3D-ultrasound is becoming more and more popular from both a diagnostic viewpoint and for the benefits of the parents, and most clinics offer some form of the 3D imaging to their patients and technicians.

Pelvic Ultrasound and Abdominal Ultrasound

The abdominal ultrasound tends to be done with an external device, and is used to diagnose a number of conditions in the abdomen. By bombarding the abdomen with ultrasonic sound waves, the ultrasound technician can receive a topographical view of the organs without having to perform an invasive procedure. A similar method is used in the pelvis to diagnose issues with the reproductive organs of women, though this technique generally relies on the use of an internal machine. In both cases , doctors can learn quite a bit about the internal structure of the patient without having to resort to more painful or invasive procedures.

Doppler Ultrasound

Doppler ultrasound is somewhat less well known than its counterparts, but is becoming increasingly more important. The Doppler technique can be used to track blood flow and blood pressure. This technique can be quite useful in detecting blood clots, blocked arteries, and even aneurysms. It is a great leap forward in preventative medicine, and can be a life saver for many. This technique, like its counterparts, also benefits from being entirely non-invasive. This procedure is often considered preferable to older methods of blood flow tracking, many of which involved injecting dye and using an x-ray machine.

Ultrasound Therapy

In addition to its use as a diagnostic tool, this technology can also be used therapeutically. In its most basic sense, the ultrasonic sound waves cause the muscles to vibrate, thus helping tension in the muscles and the joints. The procedure is often used in physical therapy, and even shows some promise in aiding the inflammatory response. This procedure is used commonly for many different patients, and can be a good treatment for those with intense back or joint pain. While less commonly used than some of the diagnostic uses of the technology, ultrasound does play an important therapeutic role in the lives of many.

Ultrasound is useful for far more than just getting an image of a pre-term infant. It can be used for pre-natal diagnosis, non-invasive diagnosis of the abdomen and the pelvis, tracking blood flow, and even physical therapy. This group of techniques has few downsides, and comes with no known side-effects.

While it may not have the cultural cache as a “miracle” diagnosis that some newer machines may carry, the ultrasound is a very important tool in the arsenal of any good sonographer. Pay attention to the doctor’s recommendations next time you are injured or sick, and you might be surprised to see how often an ultrasound is recommended.