Three Common Causes For An Ultrasound Apart From Pregnancy
Ultrasounds are very helpful procedures that allow medical professionals to get better, more in-depth views of a patient's soft tissue. As opposed to X-rays, which are better at mapping out bones, ultrasounds can create detailed pictures of muscle, sinews, veins and any other soft tissue. That is why they are used in pregnancy, but often they are also used in other areas, particularly in rehabilitation of injuries. Here are three common uses for an ultrasound that are not related to pregnancy, so that you are not surprised when you get prescribed an ultrasound without being pregnant!
Vascular Ultrasound
Your veins are incredibly important, and if you present a lot of symptoms that indicate something is wrong with them, such as hypertension or constant dizziness, then you may be asked to take a vascular ultrasound. Because veins are so small, there are not a lot of ways to get accurate imaging of them apart from ultrasounds. Ultrasounds can give information on whether or not the veins are in good functioning order or if they have calcified, gotten too small or are developing clots. Often your GP will be the one who orders these tests, just to get a more holistic view of where the main issue lies in your body.
Adolescent Development
As you grow out from being a child into a teenager and then an adult, your body goes through some rapid changes. These changes can, at times, wreak havoc on your body, which can be quite painful. Ultrasounds allow professionals to take a look inside and see where the problem areas are. This is particularly common around joints and important muscles, to ensure that nothing is out of place and, if they are, how you could potentially manage them. If your kid gets scheduled in for an ultrasound, don't fret, as this is very common.
Sports Injury Rehabilitation
A lot, if not most, sports injuries relate to soft tissue. From your ACL to your Achilles, your hamstring to your hip flexor, there are dozens of soft tissues that are commonly injured in all kinds of sports. To get a good understanding of the grading of the injury and where your rehabilitation will start, often a doctor will need to get an ultrasound done. These can sometimes reveal that the injury is not as bad as originally anticipated, but in any case, this is generally just the beginning of your recovery.
