How Does Ultrasound Work?

Ultrasound is a modern medical procedure which is used to create diagnostic imagery of a patient’s internal organs, muscles, and other structures. In addition to this, it is used during pregnancy to create an image of a fetus in the womb and provide a clear picture of its developmental state. Ultrasound uses sound waves to create a sonogram (the image itself) and it is 100% pain-free, non-invasive, and is usually done relatively quickly.

#1: Ultrasound in Simple Terms

Using high-frequency sound waves and their echoes, ultrasounds create a sonogram which can be analyzed by trained eyes to uncover medical problems and help aid treatment. Ultrasound machines emit high-frequency soundwaves from 1-5MHz, which are pulsated into your body using a probe that glides seamlessly across your skin with the aid of a special gel.

These sound waves then travel into your body and hit boundaries between tissues, which then get bounced back to the probe, whilst the other soundwaves travel even further until they hit another boundary and get bounced back. The waves that are bounced back get relayed to the machine, which calculates all the distances to create a two-dimensional image on the screen. Soundwaves which get bounced back at different distances display in different shades, which helps create the image.

#2: What Does Ultrasound Diagnose?

It can diagnose a varying range of conditions, diseases and other medical problems such as stomach problems, pancreatic abnormalities, and abdominal pain. Ultrasound’s diagnostic abilities are a result of its simplicity; any internal growth or abnormality can easily be diagnosed with the help of an ultrasound.

The ultrasound creates a live image of tissue structures such as the liver, bladder, and heart. It can also measure blood flow in the arteries to uncover blockages, but the most common application of ultrasound is to pregnancy and the classic image of a fetus in the womb is what most of us think of when ultrasound is mentioned.

#3: Who Can Be an Ultrasound Technician?

In short, anybody can be an ultrasound technician. However, being an ultrasound technician is a healthcare job just like any other and it does require a formal education. Generally speaking, becoming a certified ultrasound technician requires two years of study at an accredited institution, but most ultrasound technicians have advanced college degrees, and these are a requirement for those who would like to specialize within the field or move into management roles.

There are plenty of ultrasound schools Utah and the rest of the United States; many of these have professional accreditation, a requirement if the school wants their students to be able to practice professionally in hospitals and clinics.

Ultrasound is a very simple medical technology which can create live imagery of a patient’s internal organs and tissues. Using soundwaves which are completely harmless and a procedure which is completely pain-free, ultrasound technicians can take a look at the inside of the body to uncover medical problems such as growths, cysts, and blockages, enabling doctors to take action and get you on the road to recovery.