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What is ultrasound diagnostics (ultrasound)?   

What is ultrasound? This question worries many people. Ultrasound is a modern, safe and effective method used in the Zdravo.Life clinic to examine internal organs and tissues. Due to high-frequency sound waves, this method allows you to get an accurate image of the organs without harming the patient's health. Ultrasound diagnostics (ultrasound) helps to quickly detect pathologies, monitor the treatment process and conduct preventive examinations. At Zdravo.Life clinic, ultrasound is used in various areas of medicine, including cardiology, gynecology, and gastroenterology. At Zdravo.Life clinic, you will receive not only high-quality ultrasound services, but also an individual approach from qualified specialists.

The history of ultrasound

Ultrasound diagnostics is an integral part of modern medicine today, but its history dates back to the early twentieth century. The idea of using ultrasound for diagnostics arose after research into the physical properties of sound waves. The first experiments with ultrasound were conducted in the field of military technology to detect underwater objects during the First World War. These studies were the impetus for the development of medical ultrasound.

In 1942, Austrian neurologist Karl Dussick first used ultrasound to diagnose brain tumors. Over time, the technology improved, and in the 1960s, ultrasound was used to examine pregnant women. This made it possible to see the image of the fetus inside the mother's womb for the first time. This moment was revolutionary in the development of medicine and made ultrasound popular all over the world.

Due to its rapid development, ultrasound has become an affordable and effective diagnostic method used in every modern clinic. Making an appointment for an ultrasound at the Zdravo.Life clinic will allow you to get an accurate diagnosis and advice from qualified doctors in a comfortable environment.

Main types of ultrasound

Today, there are several main types of ultrasound, each of which has its own purpose and application. It is important to know when and why you should undergo a particular type of ultrasound examination.

1. Ultrasonography of abdominal organs

Abdominal examination covers the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen and kidneys. This examination can detect inflammatory processes, gallstones, tumors and cysts. Ultrasound is often used for the initial diagnosis of abdominal pain or digestive disorders.

Gastroenterologists note that abdominal ultrasound is the gold standard in detecting pathologies of the digestive system. It is important that ultrasound can detect even minor changes in the structure of organs, which can be the first signal for more serious examinations.

2. Ultrasonography of the thyroid gland

The thyroid gland controls metabolism and produces hormones, so its functioning is extremely important for the general condition of the body. Ultrasonography of the thyroid gland can detect pathologies such as nodules, cysts or inflammatory processes (thyroiditis). This examination is prescribed in case of changes in hormone levels or suspected thyroid dysfunction.

According to studies, thyroid nodules occur in 50% of people over 50 years of age, but most of them are benign. Timely ultrasonography allows doctors to monitor the condition of the gland and control potential risks.

3. Ultrasonography of vessels (Dopplerography)

Dopplerography is a special method of ultrasound diagnostics that examines blood circulation in blood vessels. It allows to estimate the speed and direction of blood flow, detect blood clots, vascular narrowing, atherosclerotic plaques. Vascular Doppler is critically important for patients with cardiovascular diseases, as well as those at risk of developing thrombosis or atherosclerosis.

Cardiologists emphasize that early diagnosis of circulatory problems using Doppler can reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. This is especially true for patients with high cholesterol or hypertension.

4. Obstetric ultrasound

This is one of the most important types of ultrasound examinations that allows you to monitor the development of the fetus throughout pregnancy. Obstetric ultrasound is performed in different trimesters of pregnancy to assess the condition of the placenta, the amount of amniotic fluid, fetal size and development. At later stages, the fetal position and readiness for delivery are also assessed.

The first trimester is critical for detecting possible malformations, so the first ultrasound examination of pregnancy is recommended to be performed as early as the 12th week. This allows you to respond in a timely manner to possible deviations in the child's development.

5. Echocardiography (ultrasound of the heart)

Echocardiography is a method of examining the heart using ultrasound, which allows you to evaluate the functioning of the heart muscle, valves, and detect rhythm disturbances. Ultrasound examination of the heart is recommended in case of suspected heart failure, coronary heart disease or congenital heart disease.

Echocardiography is an integral part of the cardiac examination and allows detecting disorders at early stages, when symptoms may not yet be pronounced. This helps to avoid serious complications and start treatment in a timely manner.

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Advantages of using ultrasonic inspection methods

Here are the main advantages of this method: 

Safety during examination

One of the main advantages of ultrasound is its absolute safety. Unlike X-ray examinations, ultrasound does not use ionizing radiation, which makes it safe even for pregnant women and children. The examination can be performed repeatedly without harm to health.

Detailed information about organs

Ultrasound examination allows the doctor to obtain detailed information about the condition of internal organs. This examination helps to detect even minor changes in the structure of organs, such as tumors, cysts, inflammatory processes, and developmental anomalies. Such accuracy helps doctors detect diseases in a timely manner and make treatment decisions.

For example, abdominal ultrasound can quickly determine the presence of gallstones or detect kidney problems, which can be important for planning further therapy.

Painless and comfortable

During the ultrasound examination, the patient does not feel any pain or discomfort. The examination usually lasts from 10 to 30 minutes, and the results can be obtained almost instantly. This makes ultrasound a convenient option for those who want to get the necessary diagnostics quickly and painlessly.

Wide range of applications

Ultrasound is used to diagnose many diseases. It is suitable for examination of almost all organs and systems of the body: heart, liver, kidneys, thyroid gland, joints, etc. This method is also indispensable in gynecology and during pregnancy to monitor fetal development.

Possibility of dynamic observation

Another important advantage of ultrasonography is the ability to monitor the state of organs in dynamics. The doctor can repeat the examination as many times as necessary to track changes and dynamics of the disease or evaluate the effectiveness of treatment.

We offer access to modern equipment and qualified doctors who will provide you with accurate information about your condition.

FAQ

How often is it recommended to undergo ultrasonography for disease prevention?

Ultrasonography is recommended annually for patients at risk (for example, with a family history of diseases) and every 3-5 years for the general population.

What new technologies in ultrasound improve diagnostic accuracy?

Technologies such as elastography to assess tissue stiffness and functional ultrasound to analyze blood flow improve the accuracy of tumor detection.

What is the role of ultrasound in cancer diagnosis?

Ultrasonography is used to detect tumors, assess their size, stage and metastases, which allows you to plan further examination and treatment.

Is it possible to detect all types of tumors using ultrasound?

Ultrasound cannot detect tumors that are located deep in the tissues or do not have sufficient echogenicity, such as some types of lymphomas or stomach tumors.

How does ultrasound help in planning surgical interventions?

Ultrasound provides detailed information about the anatomical structures, allowing surgeons to accurately assess the location of tumors and avoid damage to neighboring organs.

What alternative diagnostic methods are available along with ultrasound?

Alternatives include CT for detailed visualization of internal organs, MRI for soft tissues, and PET-CT for metabolic activity of tumors.