What is an ultrasound, and how does it work?
An ultrasound is conducted using a handheld device positioned on a specific body part to radiate a high-frequency sound wave. This then bounces off substances in the body, and an echo is received to the device.
What is the purpose of an Ultrasound?
The purpose of an ultrasound is to produce images of different tissue densities. Using this method, trained professionals can examine blood vessels and bones – that may otherwise be challenging to analyse.
Ultrasounds are also used to ensure that blood flows in the way it should throughout the body. This is known as ‘the Doppler effect’, which means that the frequency of sound varies, depending on the pace of the source; the echo of the noise may have a different frequency related to the speed of the blood flow.
How convenient is it?
Ultrasound is one of the most comfortable and safest options as it is painless and less invasive.
Different types of Ultrasounds:
With a combination of techniques, ultrasounds can help medical specialists understand a patients neurological requirements. Below is a list of the different types of methods that can be used:
Echocardiography – or, in other words, ’ultrasound of the heart’. This is conducted by placing the device on the chest area or a slightly more invasive method of having a device slipped into the patient’s oesophagus. Even though this is more invasive than the standard practice, it ultimately leads to a better image of the different components of the heart.
A transcranial doppler ultrasound – this looks directly at blood flow in the brain. This type of ultrasound can assess the blood flow through the four arteries in the back of the neck.
A carotid ultrasound – is used to see the carotid artery. This ultrasound uses sound waves to detect the narrowing of the carotid artery or the occurrence of obstructions in the area.
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