Abdominal ultrasound

A fast, reliable, painless, and relatively inexpensive method - today ultrasound guards health, making it possible for relatively little money to obtain reliable information about the state of the body, make a correct diagnosis, confirm or refute suspicions and prescribe treatment in time.

Ultrasound of the abdominal organs makes it possible to obtain a versatile image of the state of various internal organs and facilitates the doctor's diagnostic tasks. The study is based on the ability of ultrasonic waves to penetrate the tissues of the human body, partially reflecting on the boundary of different media, thereby forming a picture of the area under study.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN AN ABDOMINAL ULTRASOUND

Thanks to this method of examination, a number of diseases of various systems are diagnosed. Usually, complex diagnostics cover the maximum area and give a detailed picture of the patient's condition. If there are specific complaints, the specialist can narrow the scope and advise to pay attention to a particular organ.

The list of what is standardly included in the ultrasound of the abdominal cavity is as follows:

• liver;
• kidneys;
• adrenal glands;
• pancreas;
• spleen;
• reproductive and urinary systems;
• vessels;
• gallbladder.

Due to the complexity of the area being viewed (due to the presence of gas accumulations), the study of the stomach and intestines is assigned as a separate item.

WHAT AN ABDOMINAL ULTRASOUND SHOWS

Indications for ultrasound examination are varied and require consultation with a specialist. Usually, the doctor recommends undergoing this procedure for patients complaining of:

• pain in the abdomen and side, accompanied by a generally weakened state;
• increased flatulence;
• feeling of heaviness in the stomach;
• the bitter aftertaste in the mouth at the end of a meal;
• belching, heartburn, and nausea;
• reduced or absent appetite;
• pain in the lower back;
• discomfort during urination.

Previously diagnosed kidney disease, hormonal imbalance, diabetes, and cancer are also reasons for periodic testing.
 
Here is what the abdominal ultrasound procedure shows:

• inflammation of various systems and tissues;
• the formation of polyps, cysts, oncology;
• cholecystitis (stones in the gallbladder and kidneys);
• consequences of injuries in various directions (from falls, blows, during sports).

Thanks to modern equipment, the diagnosis of patients with liver damage (cirrhosis, various types of hepatitis), mononucleosis, and other infectious diseases have been simplified.

ABDOMINAL ULTRASOUND: HOW TO PREPARE

Depending on the patient's complaints and the doctor's assumptions about the affected organ, a number of specific measures are required to improve the quality of diagnosis. Various types of diseases are accompanied by specific preparation aimed at improving image quality.

Before the abdominal ultrasound procedure, preparation starts three days in advance. To obtain clear, reliable results, the patient is recommended to follow a special diet aimed at reducing the formation of gases and excluding from the diet certain foods that lead to bloating and increase the symptoms of diseases.

Preparation for an ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity involves the rejection of the following foods:

• peas, corn, beans, lentils, chickpeas, mung beans, soybeans;
• sauerkraut;
• fresh fruits, especially pears, grapes, apples, and fiber-rich vegetables;
• bakery and confectionery products;
• milk, high-fat dairy products, including ice cream;
• alcoholic and highly carbonated drinks;
• gum.

Also, preparation for the ultrasound of the abdominal organs requires a temporary refrain from smoking in order to avoid stomach cramps, which may lead to an incorrect display of the situation. Medications must be discussed with the doctor directing the ultrasound examination. It is important to know that you can eat the last meal 5-6 hours before the procedure, as it must be done on an empty stomach.

WHAT CAN YOU EAT BEFORE USING THE ABDOMINAL CAVITY

A rather impressive list of food bans is perplexing and raises the question: “What then is possible?”. The basis of the diet for several days is cereal-based cereals without the addition of oil, low-fat varieties of fish and meat, steamed or in the oven. In small quantities, baked apples, low-fat cottage cheese, and cheese, eggs (one per day) are allowed.

A light breakfast before an abdominal ultrasound should be very early (no later than 5 hours before the scheduled time) and exclude any food that can cause bloating and flatulence. With individual poor digestibility of a particular product (even if it is not included in the list of non-recommended for use), it should be excluded from the diet.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO DRINK BEFORE USING THE ABDOMINAL CAVITY

Not only food but also the drinking regimen is important when following a preparatory diet. The fluid entering the body is always important, and its lack can adversely affect even an absolutely healthy person. With diseases of the gastrointestinal tract or other internal organs, drinking enough and on time becomes vital.

Many patients are concerned about the question of whether it is possible to drink water before an abdominal ultrasound. Not only possible but necessary. For all three days of a therapeutic diet, it is recommended to drink an average of 1.5 liters of fluid (or more). It can be both ordinary water and unsweetened teas, berry and fruit compotes, uzvars, and herbal infusions.

In addition, when examining the kidneys, immediately before the procedure (1 hour before), it is required to drink from 1 to 1.5 liters of water to fill the bladder.

HOW MUCH DOES ABDOMINAL ULTRASOUND COST

When calculating the pricing of any medical examination, various parameters are taken into account: standard time costs, the efforts of the specialists involved in the process, and the use of the equipment and auxiliary materials.

So, for the procedure of ultrasound of the abdominal organs, the price is formed depending on the number of organs examined. If you need to consider one organ, the cost is relatively low. The comprehensive examination is already somewhat more expensive.

You can specify the price for a specific type of ultrasound or any other service of our medical center by calling the phone numbers listed on the contact page.