Abdominal ultrasounds are one of the safest and least intrusive ways for doctors to see what’s going on in your body. Contrary to what you may think, ultrasounds aren’t just used to look into the uteruses of pregnant women; this simple medical procedure can be done on virtually anyone. It’s also easy to find a place to perform an ultrasound in San Antonio.
When Would You Need a 3D Ultrasound?
3D ultrasounds allow medical professionals to peer into your body in real-time, showing the flow of blood and the structure of your internal organs.
Although abdominal ultrasounds are commonly used to examine fetuses in pregnant women, the procedure has plenty of clinical uses. As the name suggests, ultrasounds can give doctors a view of your abdomen. Consequently, any treatment which requires your doctors to view and examine your organs will call for ultrasounds.
For starters, the Mayo Clinic recommends abdominal ultrasounds for men aged 65 to 75 years who have a history of smoking. They have a chance of developing abdominal aortic aneurysms. You may also need 3D ultrasound in San Antonio if your doctor suspects the following conditions:
- Cancer
- Hernia
- Kidney stones or kidney blockage
- Appendicitis
- Fluid in the abdominal cavity
- Enlarged organs
- Blood clots
- Tumors
Preparing for an Abdominal Ultrasound
Generally, your doctor will determine if you require an abdominal ultrasound based on your symptoms or if you are pregnant. Ideally, this 15-45-minute-long procedure should happen at the same facility. However, if the facility doesn’t offer ultrasounds, reach out to Prestige ER for a San Antonio 3D ultrasound exactly when you need it.
You will have a day or two to prepare before heading back to the clinic or hospital for the abdominal ultrasound.
Your doctor’s first request is a fast for 8-12 hours before the ultrasound. This ensures no undigested food in your stomach or urine in your bladder, making the ultrasound blurry. Since abdominal ultrasounds are quick and easy, you can undergo the procedure as an outpatient before heading home.
What to Expect During an Abdominal Ultrasound
- You will receive a gown and be asked to remove all your clothing and jewelry
- You will lie down on either your side or back on an examination table
- A professional will apply ultrasound gel to the area of your abdomen that needs examination
- The professional will place a device called a transducer on your abdomen to send ultrasound waves inside your body
- The ultrasound machine will analyze the ultrasound waves after they are reflected off your internal organs and create a real-time image
The procedure is completely safe and can last as little as 15 minutes. Unless your doctor advises you otherwise, you can resume your normal diet after completing the ultrasound.
Contact Prestige ER
Do you need an ultrasound ASAP? Prestige Emergency Room offers 24/7 service, and we have the latest medical equipment, diagnostic imaging, and state-of-the-art testing capabilities with no wait times. When you need a San Antonio 3D ultrasound, contact us today to book an appointment.
