Going for an abdominal unltrasound Saturday..What can I expect?!
Question: I am getting my gall bladder and a couple other organs looked at. My appointment is tomorrow morning. I know I am not allowed to eat that morning and just drink little water. Why is that? Ive been having horrible gas problems and I will still have gas pains when i go..Will that interfere with the Ultrasound? I know it doesn't hurt but will they be able to tell right away if its my gall bladder? Any info will help..Thank you!
Answers: I am getting my gall bladder and a couple other organs looked at. My appointment is tomorrow morning. I know I am not allowed to eat that morning and just drink little water. Why is that? Ive been having horrible gas problems and I will still have gas pains when i go..Will that interfere with the Ultrasound? I know it doesn't hurt but will they be able to tell right away if its my gall bladder? Any info will help..Thank you!
An abdominal ultrasound can visualize the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, aorta and vena cava, kidneys, spleen and urinary bladder. Ultrasound cannot see air filled structures, such as the lungs and the bowel/intestines/stomach. Air in these structures actually make it difficult to visualize the areas we are normally able to see with ultrasound. We ask you to not eat to try to limited the amount of air or gas in your belly. The act of eating creates gas. We ask you to drink a small amount of water, however, to make sure you have some urine in your bladder. We cannot see the bladder unless it is distended with fluid.
Ultrasound does not hurt. An abdominal ultrasound is not done internally. Gel is applied to your skin on your stomach, transducer (camera) is put on your skin and the ultrasound technologist will document the organs in your abdomen.
A radiologist will interpert your images, and your referring doctor will get a writen report within 48 hours.
You can read more about abdominal ultrasound at the following site:
http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm...
"Ultrasound waves do not pass through air; therefore an evaluation of the stomach, small intestine and large intestine may be limited. Intestinal gas may also prevent visualization of deeper structures such as the pancreas and aorta. Patients who are obese are more difficult to image because tissue attenuates (weakens) the sound waves as they pass deeper into the body."
http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm...
It really depends if the ultrasound is internal or external. I'm surprised they told you not to drink a little water. The water and the blader helps out with a clearer picture. The gas shouldnt affect the Ultrasound but you can ask the technician that will be able to answer that. They have radiologists that look then forward their report to your ordering doctor. Then they will figure out your treatment if they see whats wrong on the ultra sound. Good Luck
I had an ultrasound to see if I had gallstones and she pointed them out to me on the screen, I could see them for myself. Just follow instructions you are given and it'll be easy.
I know the answer to part of your question. The gas will not be a problem unless you are having an x-ray. Unfortunately, I know this from personal experience. I don't know why you are having an ultrasound if you are not pregnant, unless the doctors are looking for something specific. Also, it is a fact that you should have a lot to drink for a pregnant ultrasound.
That's as much as I know. Hope you feel better soon.
A gallbladder ultrasound is painless - just some cold jelly on your right abdomen. The water/food in the stomach sometimes clouds the picture - thus, nothing to eat and very little to drink - nothing solid so that your pictures will be a clear as possible. The gas will not interfere with the pictures - the ultrasound shows solid organs. And, yes, they can point out stones to you if they are present.