Ultrasound Specialist

What are ultrasounds?

An ultrasound is an imaging test that uses high-frequency sound waves to create a picture of what’s going on inside your body. During your ultrasound, a technician uses a small device to bounce those sound waves into your body. As they bounce back against your organs and other internal structures, they create a clear image of the internal view of your body.

You’re probably most familiar with ultrasounds being used to see a baby forming inside a woman’s womb. That same technology is used in diagnostic ultrasounds. And because the technology is safe enough to use on an unborn child, you can rest easy knowing this is a diagnostic procedure with minimal associated risks.

How are ultrasounds used for health diagnoses?

Because the ultrasound delivers an inside look at your body, it’s a very useful tool in diagnosing a range of health conditions. It can be used to check:

• Your blood flow
• Inflammation in your joins
• For gallstones and gallbladder disease
• Lumps in the breast
• For issues with the thyroid gland
• For kidney stones and other kidney issues
• For prostate and other genital problems
• Bladder health

What should I expect during my ultrasound?

Pinnacle Care Internal Medicine offers ultrasounds from their welcoming Peoria, Arizona, office. That means you can skip the cold, sterile environment of many diagnostic procedures and instead turn to their compassionate team. They’ll explain the ultrasound to you before you get started so you know what to expect.

Ultrasounds of some areas may require special preparation. For example, you may need to fast before a gallbladder or liver ultrasound.

When you’re ready, your technician spreads a gel over the area that will receive the ultrasound. This allows the ultrasound device to glide across your skin without any air bubbles forming, which could block the imaging process.

Your technician will continue moving the device over your skin in the targeted area, gathering sufficient information from the ultrasound, as you relax. Most ultrasounds take between 30 minutes and an hour.

If you’d like to have your ultrasound performed in a comfortable, welcoming environment, call Pinnacle Care Internal Medicine or schedule your appointment online today.