An ultrasound, often called ultrasound for short, is an examination that allows us to look inside your body. It uses sound waves to make organs and tissues visible on a monitor. GPs use ultrasound for various purposes, such as to detect diseases or check the growth of an unborn baby during pregnancy.
The examination works as follows: the radiologist applies some conductive fluid - a kind of gel - to your skin and moves a small device, the transducer, over the part of the body to be examined. This device emits sound waves, which are captured and converted into an image. The examination is safe, harmless and painless, as no harmful radiation is used.
An ultrasound usually takes between 15 and 30 minutes. It is helpful to wear easy-fitting clothes so that the ultrasound equipment can be positioned properly on the skin.
For some ultrasound examinations, preparation is important to get a good result. If the preparation instructions are not followed properly, the examination may not be performed and a new appointment may have to be made.
For an upper abdominal ultrasound, in which organs such as the liver, gallbladder and pancreas are viewed, you are asked not to eat or drink for 4 hours prior to the examination. A small sip of water is allowed, for example to take medicine. After the examination, you may eat and drink again immediately.
For an ultrasound of the kidneys and lower abdomen, you do not need to be sober. However, it is important that your bladder is well filled, as this helps to make better images. Therefore, drink enough water and do not urinate from one hour before the examination.
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