Even with ultrasound machines certified to be generally safe for usage, we can still people raising safety concerns over it. The side effects of radiation are what people are worried about and are afraid that it might cause negative impact on infants during sonograms. Getting ourselves equipped with the necessary knowledge on the potential threats and dangers of using ultrasound machines will help us in the long run.
What Are The Potential Threats?
The threats which might occur during the procedure are generally categorized into 2 areas – heat development and the formation of bubbles or cavitations. Water and tissue absorb ultrasound energy which raises the overall temperature. The temperature should be manipulated with care so as to prevent any damage being cause on our tissues. Formation of bubbles or cavitations occurs due to the heat being produced by the ultrasound. This could be a very dangerous problem especially if the bubbles enter into our bloodstream.
To prevent increasing the temperature in the uterus during ultrasound, women are generally very careful when handling with the ultrasound machines. Due to the fact that fetus is unable to regulate its own body temperature, amniotic fluid can attain a very high temperature if exposed to heat for a long period. This could potentially lead to neurological and cellular damage. First time users need to be aware of this problem so as to avoid committing this mistake.
About Sound Waves
High frequency sound waves could be another source of danger during ultrasound. These sound waves can be pretty loud within the uterus and could cause negative side effect on developing ears and cells. Better ultrasound machines are being created now and is said to be capable of providing 3D and 4D images. The time taken for the ultrasound scan could be slightly longer as they machines try to capture a 30-minutre videos of the fetus in the uterus.
Other Dangers
By relying on professionals to mange the ultrasound machines, you are reducing the potential danger that it might bring. Even with the risk involve in using the machine, the benefits can be greater than the risks if handled with care. Protect your fetus by learning how to manage and control the total amount of time that your baby is exposed to the ultrasound machines.
Guidelines To Ensure Safety
1) Avoid having any clothing on area of interest.
2) Apply oil-based jelly on your skin to minimize the air between the probe and your skin. It will also assist in generating the sound waves into the body.
3) Ensure that the probe is covered with plastic.
4) Switch your positions around to get a clearer image of the ultrasound scan.
5) You may carry on with normal activities after the scan but should try to avoid engaging on vigorous activities.
6) Go with an empty stomach or full bladder during the scan to get the most accurate outcome.
Follow the guidelines to get an accurate scan. I am sure you do not want to spend additional money to go for a re-scan. Wish you the best if you are planning for an ultrascan sometime soon. Bear in mind these additional knowledge that you have picked up in here too.
Ultrasound Machines: How Ultrasound Works
Ultrasound machines have become really common today because a few cases, both minor and severe, need it for diagnostic intentions. It's crucial to understand how ultrasound functions to amply discover potential problems in the human body and determine the proper methods that could relieve these. There are other types of ultrasound, each practiced depending on the actual case and the organ that demands to be examined.
The Types of Ultrasound
The basic ultrasound machine has a transducer probe which receives and sends sound waves. It shows a two-dimensional image or presents the slice of a three-dimensional object. 3D ultrasound imaging has been developed wherein many two-dimensional images are taken through the use of probes moving along the body surface or inserted probes rotating simultaneously. The 2D scans will later be combined using specialized computer software, leading to 3D images.
The third kind of ultrasound is called the Doppler ultrasound which is based on the Doppler Effect. Once the object reflecting ultrasound waves moves, the frequency of the echoes change, thereby producing a higher frequency if moving toward the probe or a lower frequency if moving away from the probe. The frequency changed will depend on the speed of the moving object. Doppler ultrasound is then used to measure frequency change of echoes to identify the speed of moving objects. It comes in useful for measuring blood flow rate through major arteries and the heart.
Other General Functions
Ultrasound machines are used for a variety of functions and settings, ranging from gynecology to oncology. It is very advantageous since structures can be observed and studied without the need for radiation. It is also faster compared to X-rays and other radiographic methods.
Some of the major uses in obstetrics and gynecology include measuring fetal size to know the due date, checking the placenta's position to determine if it is not developing well over the uterus opening, identifying the gender of the baby, detecting ectopic pregnancy, determining if there is enough amniotic cushioning for the fetus and monitoring the fetus during special procedures like amniocentesis. In urology, ultrasound can be used to look for kidney stones and detect prostate cancer. In cardiology, blood flow can be measured in the heart and major blood vessels.
The Mechanism
During ultrasound examination, the transducer functions so you can view the target organ and make pictures for further observation. The transducer produces sound and discovers the echoes bouncing back when it is placed over the body organ being viewed. An echo is created when the produced sound hits a border between tissues that conduct sound uniquely.
The computer analyzes the echoes. Ultrasound waves pass through soft tissues and fluids easily, so the process is very useful when examining fluid-filled organs like the uterus, liver and gallbladder. The waves cannot penetrate gas or bone, making it ineffective when viewing regions surrounded by bone or places with gas. Most parts of the body can be examined by ultrasound.
Limitations
Ultrasound machines involve a non-invasive imaging procedure. It is painless, cost-effective and easy to use. Invasive procedures like needle biopsies can be done with the help of ultrasound as a guiding tool. There are no known dangerous effects that stem from ultrasound imaging. Since it has limited viewing power from air or bone, other imaging techniques will come in handier for bone and lung viewing.
The Types of Ultrasound
The basic ultrasound machine has a transducer probe which receives and sends sound waves. It shows a two-dimensional image or presents the slice of a three-dimensional object. 3D ultrasound imaging has been developed wherein many two-dimensional images are taken through the use of probes moving along the body surface or inserted probes rotating simultaneously. The 2D scans will later be combined using specialized computer software, leading to 3D images.
The third kind of ultrasound is called the Doppler ultrasound which is based on the Doppler Effect. Once the object reflecting ultrasound waves moves, the frequency of the echoes change, thereby producing a higher frequency if moving toward the probe or a lower frequency if moving away from the probe. The frequency changed will depend on the speed of the moving object. Doppler ultrasound is then used to measure frequency change of echoes to identify the speed of moving objects. It comes in useful for measuring blood flow rate through major arteries and the heart.
Other General Functions
Ultrasound machines are used for a variety of functions and settings, ranging from gynecology to oncology. It is very advantageous since structures can be observed and studied without the need for radiation. It is also faster compared to X-rays and other radiographic methods.
Some of the major uses in obstetrics and gynecology include measuring fetal size to know the due date, checking the placenta's position to determine if it is not developing well over the uterus opening, identifying the gender of the baby, detecting ectopic pregnancy, determining if there is enough amniotic cushioning for the fetus and monitoring the fetus during special procedures like amniocentesis. In urology, ultrasound can be used to look for kidney stones and detect prostate cancer. In cardiology, blood flow can be measured in the heart and major blood vessels.
The Mechanism
During ultrasound examination, the transducer functions so you can view the target organ and make pictures for further observation. The transducer produces sound and discovers the echoes bouncing back when it is placed over the body organ being viewed. An echo is created when the produced sound hits a border between tissues that conduct sound uniquely.
The computer analyzes the echoes. Ultrasound waves pass through soft tissues and fluids easily, so the process is very useful when examining fluid-filled organs like the uterus, liver and gallbladder. The waves cannot penetrate gas or bone, making it ineffective when viewing regions surrounded by bone or places with gas. Most parts of the body can be examined by ultrasound.
Limitations
Ultrasound machines involve a non-invasive imaging procedure. It is painless, cost-effective and easy to use. Invasive procedures like needle biopsies can be done with the help of ultrasound as a guiding tool. There are no known dangerous effects that stem from ultrasound imaging. Since it has limited viewing power from air or bone, other imaging techniques will come in handier for bone and lung viewing.
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If you have any questions or concerns please contact Felix Goh at wei_liangg@hotmail.com
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Google uses the Doubleclick DART cookie to serve ads across it's Adsense network and you can get further information regarding the DART cookie at Doubleclick as well as opt out options at Google's Privacy Center.
Privacy
I respect your privacy and I am committed to safeguarding your privacy while online at this site ultrasoundmachines.blogspot.com. The following discloses how I gather and disseminate information for this Blog.
RSS Feeds and Email Updates
If a user wishes to subscribe to my RSS Feeds or Email Updates (powered by Feedburner), I ask for contact information such as name and email address. Users may opt-out of these communications at any time. Your personal information will never be sold or given to a third party.
Log Files and Stats
Like most blogging platforms I use log files, in this case Statcounter. This stores information such as internet protocol (IP) addresses, browser type, internet service provider (ISP), referring, exit and visited pages, platform used, date/time stamp, track user’s movement in the whole, and gather broad demographic information for aggregate use. IP addresses etc. are not linked to personally identifiable information.
Cookies
A cookie is a piece of data stored on the user’s computer tied to information about the user. This blog doesn't use cookies. However, some of my business partners use cookies on this site (for example - advertisers). I can't access or control these cookies once the advertisers have set them.
Links
This Blog contains links to other sites. Please be aware that I am not responsible for the privacy practices of these other sites. I suggest my users to be aware of this when they leave this blog and to read the privacy statements of each and every site that collects personally identifiable information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this Blog.
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I use outside ad companies to display ads on this blog. These ads may contain cookies and are collected by the advertising companies and I do not have access to this information. I work with the following advertising companies: Google Adsense, Ebay and Amazon. Please check the advertisers websites for respective privacy policies.
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The information on this website is not to be taken as medical advice. The operator of this website is not licensed to practice medicine and therefore not qualified to give medical advice of any kind. Always consult with your primary healthcare provider professional before taking any action that affects your health. Do not take any actions that could affect your health as a result of anything you read on this website!
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