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What is an ultrasound?
An ultrasound is a medical scan that uses sound waves to create images of the inside of the body. It does not use radiation, which makes it a common and safe imaging test for many people.
The sound waves are sent into the body by a small handheld device called a probe. The returning echoes are turned into real-time images on a screen.
Why might you have an ultrasound?
In the UK, ultrasounds are often used to look at organs such as the liver, kidneys, bladder, heart, and gallbladder. They are also widely used in pregnancy to check the baby’s growth and development.
Doctors may recommend an ultrasound if you have pain, swelling, or other symptoms that need further investigation. It can also help guide procedures, such as taking a biopsy or placing a needle in the right position.
What happens during the scan?
Most ultrasound scans are done in a hospital or clinic and take around 15 to 30 minutes. You may be asked to lie on a couch while the sonographer applies a special gel to your skin.
The gel helps the probe move smoothly and allows the sound waves to travel properly. The procedure is usually painless, although you may feel a little pressure if the probe needs to be pressed firmly against your body.
Do you need to prepare?
Preparation depends on the type of scan you are having. For some scans, you may be asked to drink water beforehand so your bladder is full, while for others you may need to avoid eating for several hours.
Your appointment letter or GP surgery will usually tell you exactly what to do. If you are unsure, it is best to contact the clinic before your appointment.
Are there any risks?
Ultrasound is generally considered very safe and is used routinely in NHS care. Because it does not involve ionising radiation, it is often suitable for children and pregnant women.
There are usually no side effects after the scan. The gel may feel cold, but the procedure itself should not cause pain or lasting discomfort.
What happens next?
After the scan, the images are reviewed by a doctor or specialist. They will use the results to help diagnose a condition, monitor a pregnancy, or decide on the next steps in your care.
Sometimes you may get the results on the same day, but in other cases you may need to wait for a report. If your doctor has any concerns, they will explain what the findings mean and what happens next.
What is an ultrasound?
An ultrasound is a special scan doctors use to look inside your body. It uses sound waves to make pictures, not X-rays.
A nurse or doctor uses a small handheld device called a probe. This sends sound waves into your body. The sound bounces back and makes pictures on a screen.
Why might you have an ultrasound?
Ultrasounds help doctors check body parts like your liver, kidneys, bladder, heart, and gallbladder. It is also used in pregnancy to see how a baby is growing.
You might have an ultrasound if you have pain or swelling. Doctors also use it to help with other tests, like taking a small sample (biopsy) or putting a needle in the right place.
What happens during the scan?
You will have your scan in a hospital or clinic. The scan usually takes 15 to 30 minutes. You may lie down on a bed, and a nurse or doctor will put some cool gel on your skin.
The gel helps the probe move on your skin. The scan does not hurt, but you may feel some gentle pressure if the probe is pushed down lightly.
Do you need to prepare?
How you get ready depends on which part of your body the scan is for. Sometimes you may need to drink lots of water so your bladder is full. Other times you may need to not eat for a few hours before.
Your doctor or nurse will tell you what to do. If you are not sure, ask at the clinic or check your appointment letter.
Are there any risks?
Ultrasound scans are very safe. They do not use X-rays. They are safe for children and for people who are pregnant.
You will not feel any pain from the scan. The gel may feel a little cold. Most people feel fine after the scan.
What happens next?
A doctor will look at the pictures from your scan. The scan helps them find out what is happening in your body or check on a pregnancy.
Sometimes you get results the same day. Other times you may have to wait a few days for a letter or a call. Your doctor will talk to you about the results and explain what to do next.
Supportive techniques: If you find reading hard, you can ask someone to go through this information with you. You can use a highlighter to mark important words. Listening to information read out loud or using an app that reads text can also help.
Frequently Asked Questions
An ultrasound is a medical imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of the inside of the body.
An ultrasound machine sends sound waves into the body, which bounce off tissues and organs to create images on a screen.
Ultrasounds are used to examine internal organs, monitor pregnancies, guide certain procedures, and diagnose diseases.
Yes, ultrasounds are considered safe because they do not use ionizing radiation like X-rays.
No, ultrasounds are generally painless, though you might feel slight pressure from the transducer.
Common types include abdominal, pelvic, obstetric, cardiac, and musculoskeletal ultrasounds.
Most ultrasound exams take between 15 and 45 minutes, depending on the area being studied.
A transducer is a handheld device that emits and receives the ultrasound sound waves.
Preparation depends on the type of ultrasound, but you may need to fast or have a full bladder prior to some exams.
No, while it's commonly used during pregnancy, ultrasound is also used for many other diagnostic purposes.
Ultrasound can help detect tumors or abnormal growths, but further tests may be required to confirm cancer.
Ultrasounds may not image structures filled with air or hidden by bone clearly, and sometimes provide less detail than CT or MRI scans.
Ultrasound is very safe and does not involve radiation exposure; complications are extremely rare.
Ultrasounds are typically performed by a trained technologist (sonographer) or a physician.
The gel helps transmit the sound waves efficiently between the transducer and your skin.
No, ultrasound waves cannot pass through bone effectively, so other imaging methods are used for bones.
Yes, echocardiography is a type of ultrasound used to examine the heart.
It depends on the exam type; for some, you may need to fast or have a full bladder.
A radiologist usually interprets the images and your doctor will discuss the results with you afterward.
Yes, ultrasounds are safe for people of all ages, including children and babies.
An ultrasound is a test that uses special sound waves to make pictures of the inside of your body. It does not hurt and does not use X-rays. Doctors use it to see things like babies in a mother's tummy or to look at your organs.
If you find reading hard, you can ask someone to read this to you or use a tool that reads text out loud.
An ultrasound machine helps doctors see inside your body. It uses sound waves that you cannot hear. These sound waves bounce off your skin, tissues, and organs. This makes pictures on a screen, so doctors can check if you are healthy.
If you find reading hard, you can ask someone to read it with you. You can also use picture tools or listen to a text reader for help.
Ultrasounds are special scans doctors use to look inside your body. They help check how your organs are working, see how a baby is growing during pregnancy, guide doctors during some treatments, and find out if you are sick.
If you find reading hard, you can ask someone to read the words with you, or use a phone or computer that reads out loud.
Yes, ultrasounds are safe. They do not use harmful rays like X-rays.
If you find it hard to understand doctors, you can ask them to use simple words or show you pictures. You can also bring a friend or family member to help explain things.
No, ultrasounds do not hurt. You might feel a little push on your skin from the machine.
If you feel worried, you can talk to the nurse or doctor. Taking deep breaths or holding someone's hand can help you feel better.
There are different kinds of ultrasound scans. The main types are:
- Abdominal ultrasound – looks at the stomach area.
- Pelvic ultrasound – looks at the lower tummy area.
- Obstetric ultrasound – checks on a baby inside the mother’s tummy.
- Cardiac ultrasound – looks at the heart.
- Musculoskeletal ultrasound – looks at muscles and bones.
You can ask your doctor or nurse to explain which scan you are having. If you find reading hard, you can ask someone you trust to help you read about it, or use pictures to understand better.
Most ultrasound scans take about 15 to 45 minutes. The time depends on which part of the body the doctor needs to look at.
If you find waiting hard, you can bring something to help pass the time, like music or a toy. You can also ask a friend or family member to come with you for support.
A transducer is a tool you can hold in your hand. It sends out sound waves and listens for them coming back. These sound waves help doctors to see inside your body. If it is hard to read, you can ask someone to read it with you or use a text-to-speech tool to hear the words.
How you get ready for an ultrasound depends on the kind of scan you need. For some ultrasounds, you may need to stop eating and drinking for a few hours. For others, you may need to drink lots of water so your bladder is full.
If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor, nurse, or the person doing your scan. You can write down what they say or use a phone to record their instructions. Bringing a list of questions can help you feel ready.
No, ultrasound is not just for pregnancy. Doctors use ultrasound to look inside the body for many reasons. It helps them find out what is wrong.
If you find reading hard, ask someone to help you or use a computer voice reader to read this aloud.
Ultrasound can help doctors see lumps or unusual growths inside the body. But to know if it is cancer, other tests are often needed. If you are worried, talk to your doctor. You can take a friend or write down your questions to help you remember.
Ultrasounds cannot always see things clearly if there is air or bone in the way. Sometimes, other scans like CT or MRI show more detail.
Ask your doctor if you are unsure which scan is best for you. You can bring a friend or use pictures to help understand the scans better.
Ultrasound is a safe way to look inside your body. It does not use harmful rays. Problems from ultrasounds almost never happen.
Usually, a special helper called a sonographer or a doctor does ultrasounds. They are trained to use the ultrasound machine so you are safe and comfortable.
If you find new words difficult, you can ask someone you trust to help explain. You can also use tools like picture cards or apps that read text out loud to help you understand.
The gel helps the sound waves travel better from the machine to your skin.
This makes the pictures clearer.
If you find it hard to understand, you can ask someone to explain or use picture cards to help you.
No, sound waves from an ultrasound cannot go through bones very well. Doctors use other ways to take pictures of bones.
If you find reading hard, you can:
- Ask someone to read it with you.
- Use a reading ruler or coloured overlay to help focus.
- Use text-to-speech tools to listen to the words.
Yes, an echocardiogram is a special scan that uses sound waves to look at your heart. It is also called an ultrasound for your heart.
This test helps doctors see if your heart is healthy and working well.
If you find it hard to understand words, you can ask someone you trust, like a family member or friend, to help you. You can also use pictures or videos to learn more about your heart and echocardiograms.
It depends on the type of test you are having. Some tests need you not to eat or drink before (this is called fasting). Other tests need you to drink lots of water so your bladder is full.
If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor or nurse. You can use a diary or set a reminder to help you remember.
A special doctor, called a radiologist, looks at your pictures. Your own doctor will then talk to you about what the pictures show.
If you have trouble understanding, you can ask someone you trust to help explain. You can also write down any questions to ask your doctor.
Yes, ultrasounds are safe for everyone, even children and babies.
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