Basic Facts about an Ultrasound Procedure

 Have you ever undergone a medical procedure or test called an  - ultrasound? Well, if you haven't yet, and then congratulate yourself for you're not experiencing something that is detrimental to your health. But, if your doctor requires you to undergo an ultrasound, then be grateful because the procedure can be very helpful in evaluating your medical condition. Read on to learn more about basic facts about ultrasound Mackay procedures.

What's an Ultrasound?

According to health experts, an ultrasound Mackay  is a medical exam which utilizes high-frequency sound waves to capture or produce live images from inside of the human body. The process is also known as sonography.

The technology used in ultrasound is also similar to that used by sonar and radar, which is of great help to the military in detecting enemy planes and ships. An ultrasound allows doctors to determine if there are problems or issues with organs, vessels and tissues without the need to make an incision. The best thing about an ultrasound is that it uses no radiation, which makes it the preferred method for viewing a fetus during pregnancy.

Why it's Performed

An ultrasound Mackay is usually performed not just to check if a woman is pregnant or not. In fact, doctors may order ultrasound scans if the person is having pain, swelling or other symptoms which need an internal view of their organs.

The ultrasound can provide patients and doctors with a clear view of the bladder, eyes, gall bladder, kidneys, liver, ovaries, pancreas, spleen, thyroid, testicles, uterus, blood vessels and the brain (But only in infants). 

How to Prepare for the Procedure

To prepare for an ultrasound Mackay , the patient will be asked by the doctor to fast for 8 to 12 hours before the procedure, especially if their abdomen is going to be examined. Undigested food can often block sound waves, and make it hard for technicians to get a better picture or image of the area.

For examining the gall bladder, liver, pancreas and spleen, the patient could be advised to eat a fat-free meal the night before the procedure, and then fast until the time of the examination. However, the patient could still drink water or take any medication as instructed. Patients are required to tell their doctor about the use of over-the-counter medications, prescription drugs, or herbal supplements. 

Before the ultrasound Mackay  is performed,  the patient will be asked to change into a hospital gown, and will be asked to lie down on a table with a section of their body exposed for the test. An ultrasound technician will then apply a special lubricating jelly to the skin, and then rubs an ultrasound transducer on the area to be scanned.

The jelly helps transmit sound waves to the transducer, which then sends high-frequency sound waves throughout the body. The sound waves then echo as they hit a dense object, like a bone or organ.

The echoes are then sent to a computer, which eventually form an image which can be interpreted by a doctor. Depending on the area that's examined, the patient may need to change positions so that the technician can have a better access of the area.