5 Ways an Ultrasound Can Benefit Your Health

While most people associate ultrasounds with pregnancy, the reality is that ultrasounds are used in a variety of ways and settings. Ultrasounds are noninvasive imaging procedures that use sound waves to create real-time images of the soft structures inside your body. Led by Dr. Ebrahim Delpassand, our team here at Excel Diagnostics & Nuclear Oncology Center recognizes the numerous benefits of ultrasounds for our patients in Houston, Texas.

Below, we highlight the five ways ultrasounds can benefit your health.

1. Ultrasounds allow for early detection of abnormalities and prompt treatment

Ultrasounds play a crucial role in detecting abnormalities at an early stage. These imaging tests can help identify conditions such as tumors, cysts, or other abnormal growths in organs like the liver, kidneys, ovaries, and prostate.

In addition to detecting abnormal growths, ultrasounds can also detect a plethora of vascular conditions, such as peripheral artery disease (PAD), carotid artery disease, renal artery disease, peripheral venous disease, chronic venous insufficiency, deep vein thrombosis, and aneurysms.

Early detection and prompt treatments support your overall health because the earlier issues are detected, the easier it is to address them.

2. Ultrasounds are noninvasive and painless

Ultrasounds are noninvasive and 100% painless, which is ideal for those with heightened sensitivity or anxiety. Ultrasounds don’t require any surgical incisions or injections. Instead, a transducer is gently moved over your skin, emitting sound waves that bounce back to create images.

Unlike other imaging techniques, ultrasounds don’t involve radiation exposure, making them safe for patients of all ages, including pregnant women.

3. Ultrasounds produce real-time imaging and immediate results

Unlike some tests that can take weeks to process, ultrasounds provide real-time imaging. This means that our team here at Excel Diagnostics & Nuclear Oncology Center observes your internal structures and organs as they function in real-time.

Ultrasounds don’t just produce still or “snapshot” images. Rather, they provide dynamic images. Because of this, they can be used to assess your blood flow and evaluate the functionality of your organs. Immediate results obtained from ultrasounds can significantly expedite the diagnostic process, enabling our team to make quick and accurate decisions regarding further treatment or interventions without having to wait weeks for results.

4. Ultrasounds act as guides during minimally invasive interventions

Ultrasound technology isn’t just used for diagnostic purposes. Ultrasound technology can be used to guide various medical procedures, including biopsies and injections. By visualizing the precise location, the ultrasounds allow for procedures to be performed with greater accuracy and reduced risks. This guidance enhances the safety and efficiency of minimally invasive interventions, reduces the need for more invasive procedures, and promotes quicker recovery times.

5. They are used to show if your current treatment plan is working

You may also need an ultrasound to evaluate your results after you undergo a procedure to treat a vascular condition. Ultrasound imaging is particularly useful in assessing the effectiveness of interventions targeting vascular health, such as angioplasty or stent placement. Post-procedure ultrasound provides visualizations of your treated area and can be used to assess blood flow, and ensure that the intervention has achieved the desired outcome. This follow-up evaluation helps to monitor the success of the procedure and provides valuable information for further treatment planning, if necessary.

In addition, ultrasounds can also play a crucial role in monitoring the progress of ongoing treatments. For example, if you are undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy for cancer, ultrasounds can be used to track tumor response and assess the effectiveness of the treatment. The ability to monitor changes in tumor size and morphology over time can aid your oncology team in adjusting treatment plans.