What is an ultrasound?

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

What is an ultrasound?

An ultrasound is a medical imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of the inside of the body.

How does an ultrasound work?

An ultrasound machine sends sound waves into the body, which bounce off tissues and organs to create images on a screen.

What is an ultrasound used for?

Ultrasounds are used to examine internal organs, monitor pregnancies, guide certain procedures, and diagnose diseases.

Is an ultrasound safe?

Yes, ultrasounds are considered safe because they do not use ionizing radiation like X-rays.

Does an ultrasound procedure hurt?

No, ultrasounds are generally painless, though you might feel slight pressure from the transducer.

What are common types of ultrasounds?

Common types include abdominal, pelvic, obstetric, cardiac, and musculoskeletal ultrasounds.

How long does an ultrasound take?

Most ultrasound exams take between 15 and 45 minutes, depending on the area being studied.

What is a transducer in ultrasound?

A transducer is a handheld device that emits and receives the ultrasound sound waves.

Do I need to prepare before an ultrasound?

Preparation depends on the type of ultrasound, but you may need to fast or have a full bladder prior to some exams.

Is ultrasound imaging only for pregnancy?

No, while it's commonly used during pregnancy, ultrasound is also used for many other diagnostic purposes.

Can ultrasound detect cancer?

Ultrasound can help detect tumors or abnormal growths, but further tests may be required to confirm cancer.

What are the limitations of an ultrasound?

Ultrasounds may not image structures filled with air or hidden by bone clearly, and sometimes provide less detail than CT or MRI scans.

Are there any risks associated with ultrasound?

Ultrasound is very safe and does not involve radiation exposure; complications are extremely rare.

Who performs an ultrasound?

Ultrasounds are typically performed by a trained technologist (sonographer) or a physician.

What does gel do in an ultrasound exam?

The gel helps transmit the sound waves efficiently between the transducer and your skin.

Can ultrasound see through bone?

No, ultrasound waves cannot pass through bone effectively, so other imaging methods are used for bones.

Is ultrasound used for heart examinations?

Yes, echocardiography is a type of ultrasound used to examine the heart.

Can I eat or drink before having an ultrasound?

It depends on the exam type; for some, you may need to fast or have a full bladder.

Will I get my ultrasound results immediately?

A radiologist usually interprets the images and your doctor will discuss the results with you afterward.

Can children have ultrasound scans?

Yes, ultrasounds are safe for people of all ages, including children and babies.

What is an ultrasound?

An ultrasound is a special test that uses sound waves to look inside your body. It helps doctors see things like your heart or a baby growing in a tummy.

A doctor will put a smooth, cool gel on your skin and gently move a small device over it. This does not hurt.

If you find reading hard, you can ask someone to read this to you or use a computer or tablet that reads words out loud.

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.

How does an ultrasound work?

An ultrasound is a kind of scan that uses sound waves to take pictures inside your body.

A small device is moved over your skin. It does not hurt you. The device sends sound waves into your body.

These waves bounce back and make a picture on a screen. This helps doctors see what is happening inside you.

If you find reading hard, you can ask someone you trust to help read this with you. You can also use tools that read out loud, like a screen reader.

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.

What is an ultrasound used for?

An ultrasound is a special scan that uses sound waves to make pictures of the inside of your body.

Doctors use ultrasounds to check if everything looks okay inside you. Sometimes they use it to look at babies growing in the tummy or to check organs like your heart, liver, or kidneys.

If you find reading hard, you can ask someone to read this out loud with you or use a screen reader tool.

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.

Is an ultrasound safe?

An ultrasound is a way for doctors to look inside your body using sound waves. It does not hurt and does not use x-rays. Most people do not feel anything during an ultrasound.

Ultrasounds are very safe. Doctors use them to check babies in a mother's tummy, or to look at other parts of your body.

If you are worried about having an ultrasound, you can talk to your doctor, nurse, or someone you trust. You can also bring a friend or family member with you to help you feel calm.

Some people use things like listening to music, deep breathing, or holding a favourite toy to help them feel better during the scan.

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.

Will an ultrasound hurt?

An ultrasound does not usually hurt. You might feel a little bit of pressure on your skin from the machine, but it should not be painful. If you feel worried or upset, you can ask someone to be with you, like a friend or family member. You can also listen to music or bring something to hold, like a soft toy, to help you feel calm.

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.

What are common types of ultrasounds?

An ultrasound is a safe way for doctors to look inside your body. There are different types of ultrasounds. Here are some common ones:

Abdominal ultrasound: This looks at your stomach and other organs inside your tummy.
Pregnancy ultrasound: This shows pictures of a baby growing inside a mummy's tummy.
Heart ultrasound (echocardiogram): This checks how your heart is working.

If you find reading hard, you can ask someone to read this with you. Using pictures or watching a video about ultrasounds can also help you understand 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.

How long does an ultrasound take?

An ultrasound is a special scan that uses sound waves to make pictures of the inside of your body. Most ultrasounds take about 15 to 30 minutes. Sometimes they can be shorter or a bit longer.

If you are worried, you can take someone with you, like a friend or family member. You can also ask staff to explain what will happen before you start. Pictures and videos can help you understand what an ultrasound is and what to expect.

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.

What is a transducer in ultrasound?

A transducer is a special tool used in ultrasound. It looks like a small microphone or wand.

The transducer is moved gently on the skin. It sends out sound waves into the body. The sound waves bounce back and help make pictures of what is inside the body.

If you find this hard to understand, you can:

Ask someone you trust to read it with you.
Use pictures or videos to help you see how a transducer works.
Use a dictionary to look up any words you do not know.

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.

Do I need to get ready before an ultrasound?

Some ultrasounds need you to get ready before you go. For example, you might be asked not to eat or drink before your test. You may also be asked to drink water and not go to the toilet so your bladder is full.

If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor or nurse. You can write down what they say to help you remember.

It may help to bring someone with you to your appointment. They can support you and help you understand the instructions.

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.

Is ultrasound only used during pregnancy?

An ultrasound scan is not only used for pregnancy. Doctors use ultrasounds for many reasons. For example, they can check your heart, kidneys, liver or other body parts. Ultrasounds can help doctors find out what is wrong.

If you find reading difficult, you can ask someone you trust to help you. You can also use a highlighter to help you focus on the words, or ask for pictures to help you understand.

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.

Can ultrasound find cancer?

An ultrasound is a special scan. It uses sound waves to make pictures of inside your body. Sometimes, doctors use ultrasound to help look for cancer. But, ultrasound cannot always find all cancers. If doctors need more information, they might use other tests, like X-rays or scans.

If you feel worried, you can ask someone you trust, like a family member, to help you understand. Talking with your doctor or a nurse can also help you feel better.

You can use tools like pictures, videos, or simple words to help understand what is happening. Writing down your questions before your appointment can help you remember them.

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.

What can’t an ultrasound do?

An ultrasound is a scan that shows pictures of the inside of your body. But there are some things it can’t do:

It can’t always see very small things.
It can’t see well through bone, like the skull.
It might not show a clear picture if there is a lot of air or gas in your body.
Some health problems are hard to see with an ultrasound.

If you find reading or understanding this hard, you can ask someone you trust to help explain it. You can also use picture cards or talk to a helper, like a carer or support worker, to help you understand.

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.

Does ultrasound have any risks?

Ultrasound is a safe test. It uses sound waves to take pictures inside your body. It does not use x-rays.

Most people do not have problems with ultrasound. If you are worried, you can talk to your doctor or nurse.

You can ask someone you trust to come with you. You could also write down your questions to ask before your appointment.

Ultrasound is a safe way to look inside your body. It does not use harmful rays. Problems from ultrasounds almost never happen.

Who does an ultrasound scan?

A special doctor or nurse does the ultrasound scan. This person is called a sonographer.

They use a small machine. It helps them look inside your body to check if everything is okay.

If you feel nervous, you can take someone you trust with you. You can ask the sonographer to explain what is happening.

Sometimes pictures or videos can help you understand. You can also write down questions before you go.

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.

What does gel do in an ultrasound exam?

Before an ultrasound, a nurse or doctor puts a special gel on your skin. This gel helps the ultrasound machine work. The gel makes it easier for sound waves to travel from the machine into your body. This helps the doctor or nurse see clear pictures on the screen.

If you feel worried, you can ask someone you trust to come with you. You can also ask the nurse or doctor to explain what is happening at each step.

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.

Can ultrasound see through bone?

Ultrasound is a special scan that uses sound waves to make pictures of the inside of your body.

Ultrasound cannot look through bone. Bone is too hard and does not let the sound waves pass through.

This means doctors cannot use ultrasound to see things inside or behind your bones.

If you find reading hard, you can ask someone you trust to read this with you. You can also use a screen reader or a picture dictionary to help understand the words.

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.

Do doctors use ultrasound to check the heart?

Doctors can use a special test called an ultrasound to look at your heart. This test is gentle and does not hurt. It helps doctors see how your heart is working. If you want help reading this, you can ask someone you trust or use a tool that reads the words out loud.

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.

Can I eat or drink before having an ultrasound?

Sometimes you can eat or drink before an ultrasound. Sometimes you cannot.

Your doctor or nurse will tell you what to do. If you are not sure, ask them.

You could write down their instructions, or ask them to write it for you. You can use pictures or set a reminder on your phone to help remember.

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.

Will I get my ultrasound results immediately?

Your ultrasound results might not be ready straight away. Sometimes, you will need to wait for a doctor to look at the pictures before you find out the results.

If you feel worried or have questions, you can:

Ask a nurse or doctor to explain what will happen
Bring someone you trust with you for support
Write down any questions you want to ask

It is okay to ask for help if you do not understand something.

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.

Can children have ultrasound scans?

Yes, children can have ultrasound scans.

An ultrasound scan is a safe test that uses sound waves to take pictures inside the body. It does not hurt.

If children feel worried, they can ask a parent, carer, or nurse to stay with them. Listening to music, holding a soft toy, or having someone hold their hand might help them feel calm.

Yes, ultrasounds are safe for everyone, even children and babies.

Useful Links

Useful Links : What is an ultrasound?

Ultrasound scan

NHS overview of what an ultrasound scan is and how it works.

What happens during an ultrasound scan?

Detailed NHS explanation about the ultrasound scan procedure.

Pregnancy ultrasound scans

NHS information about ultrasound scans during pregnancy.

Abdominal ultrasound

NHS page about abdominal ultrasound scans.

Pelvic ultrasound

NHS guide on what to expect from a pelvic ultrasound.

Ultrasound scans explained by Cancer Research UK

Cancer Research UK resource describing ultrasound scans for cancer.

Ultrasound (Tommy’s)

Tommy's UK charity information about what an ultrasound is in pregnancy.

Prenatal screening tests

NHS guide to ultrasound and other screening tests in pregnancy.

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