Will Ultrasound Techs Tell You if Something is Wrong?
No, ultrasound technicians (sonographers) generally cannot tell you if something is wrong during your exam. While technicians are highly trained to capture and identify medical images, they are not legally or professionally authorized to provide a diagnosis. Their primary role is to ensure the images are clear and complete for a physician to review. The […]
What Does an Abdominal Ultrasound Rule Out?
An abdominal ultrasound is a powerful diagnostic tool used to rule out a wide range of internal issues, including gallstones, kidney stones, organ enlargement, and fluid buildup (ascites). By using high-frequency sound waves, it allows clinicians to confirm the healthy structure of your organs and rule out life-threatening conditions like an abdominal aortic aneurysm or […]
What is the Prep for an Abdominal Ultrasound?
The primary preparation for an abdominal ultrasound is fasting, which typically involves consuming no food or drink (except water) for 8 to 12 hours before your appointment. This preparation is essential because food intake can cause the gallbladder to contract and create intestinal gas, both of which can block the technician’s view of your internal […]
What Happens After a Bad Abdominal Ultrasound?
If an abdominal ultrasound reveals an abnormality, it typically means the imaging has detected something that requires further investigation, such as a mass, inflammation, or fluid buildup. An “abnormal” result is not a final diagnosis but rather a signal for your healthcare provider to take a closer look using more detailed diagnostic tools. However, a […]
What Cancers Show Up on Abdominal Ultrasound?
Yes, an abdominal ultrasound can detect various types of cancer by identifying solid masses, fluid-filled cysts, and structural changes in organs. As a non-invasive imaging tool, it is often the first step in screening for tumors in the liver, kidneys, pancreas, and gallbladder. By using high-frequency sound waves, it allows providers to see the size […]
Which is Better: Endoscopy or Ultrasound?
Neither is objectively “better” in every case; rather, they serve different diagnostic purposes. An ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to capture real-time images of solid organs and blood flow, while an endoscopy involves a thin, flexible tube with a camera to directly view the internal lining of the digestive tract. Choosing between the two depends […]
What Abdominal Pain Doesn’t Show on Ultrasound?
No, an ultrasound cannot detect every cause of abdominal pain. While ultrasound is an excellent diagnostic tool for visualizing solid organs like the gallbladder, liver, and kidneys, it has limitations when it comes to hollow organs, air-filled structures, or conditions that are functional rather than structural. Pain that typically does not show on an ultrasound […]
Can I Get an Ultrasound with a Belly Piercing?
Yes, you can still have an ultrasound if you have a belly piercing, but you will likely be asked to remove the jewelry before the procedure. Because an abdominal ultrasound requires a handheld transducer to glide smoothly over your skin using a conductive gel, metal or plastic jewelry in the navel can obstruct the technician’s […]
When to Get an Ultrasound for Stomach Pain?
Yes, an abdominal ultrasound is a primary diagnostic tool used to identify the underlying cause of unexplained or localized stomach pain. Doctors typically order an ultrasound when physical exams aren’t enough to determine if the pain is coming from internal organs like the gallbladder, liver, kidneys, pancreas, or spleen. At Sahara West Urgent Care, we […]
Fever Before Sports? Same-Day Las Vegas Physicals
If you wake up on game day or on the day of your tryout struggling with a fever, then this will immediately halt your game plan. Many athletes want to “push through it” when they are feeling sick; however, playing sports when you have a fever is one of the most under-discussed risks in athletic […]