Ultrasound in Artesia
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Overview
Ultrasound in Artesia: Safe, Real-Time Imaging for a Dynamic View of Your Health
Ultrasound, also known as sonography, is a safe and versatile imaging technique that uses sound waves—not radiation—to create real-time pictures and videos of the body’s internal structures. This makes it an ideal imaging choice for patients of all ages, including children and for monitoring pregnancies.
Our highly skilled sonographers at Artesia General Hospital perform a wide range of ultrasound exams. This technology is invaluable for everything from celebrating a milestone in pregnancy to diagnosing complex medical conditions. It provides dynamic views of your organs, can assess blood flow through your veins, and is often used to guide physicians during minimally invasive procedures like biopsies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ultrasound most commonly used for?
Ultrasound is incredibly versatile. Its most well-known use is in obstetrics to monitor fetal development during pregnancy. However, it is also essential for examining abdominal organs like the liver and kidneys, evaluating blood flow in arteries and veins (vascular ultrasound), assessing the thyroid gland, and looking at heart function (echocardiogram).
Is an ultrasound procedure safe?
Yes. Ultrasound is one of the safest medical imaging procedures available. It does not use any ionizing radiation. It works by sending high-frequency sound waves into the body and capturing the echoes that bounce back to create an image, making it entirely safe for all patients.
What does an ultrasound feel like?
An ultrasound is a painless procedure. A technologist will apply a small amount of warm, water-based gel to your skin over the area being examined. This gel helps transmit the sound waves. They will then gently press a small, wand-like device called a transducer against your skin and move it around to capture the necessary images.
How is an ultrasound different from an MRI?
Both are radiation-free, but they use different technologies for different purposes. Ultrasound uses sound waves for real-time imaging and is excellent for viewing soft tissues, fluid, and blood flow. An MRI uses powerful magnets to create highly detailed, static 3D images and is better for looking at complex joints, the brain, the spine, and subtle abnormalities in soft tissues.
Can I get a copy of my baby’s ultrasound pictures?
We understand that seeing images of your baby is a special part of the pregnancy journey. While the primary purpose of an obstetric ultrasound is medical diagnosis, we are happy to provide you with keepsake pictures from your exam on a CD.
