Private Abdomen Ultrasound

The abdomen contains a number of important visceral and luminal organs, which can often be the site of an underlying problem ranging from inflammation to tumours.

A doctor may use an ultrasound to help with the diagnosis of  symptoms and conditions such as:

• Abdominal pain

• Liver disease

• Kidney stones

• Gallstones

• Inflammatory conditions, such as appendicitis or pancreatitis

• Abdominal growths, such as lumps, masses and tumours

• Cancer

Abdominal pain is a relatively common symptom that often needs no treatment, but there are also some conditions that cause abdominal pain that shouldn’t be ignored. These conditions may require medical attention and, in some cases, even emergency care.

An abdominal ultrasound is a quick and easy way to check the major organs in the abdomen. These organs include the liver, gallbladder, kidneys, pancreas, urinary bladder, and spleen.

It can help your doctor evaluate the cause of abdominal pain or bloating as well as help check for other causes of pain such as kidney stones, tumours amongst a number of other conditions.

Most pain in the abdomen won’t be severe and will usually resolve with little, if any, treatment.

An upset stomach, for example, can cause pain for an hour or two until your digestion normalises.

Similarly, abdominal cramping may be related to bloating and gas, while a generalised pain that is uncomfortable but not particularly severe is most often due to indigestion.

On the other hand, an abdominal pain that is localised on a certain spot may be the sign of a problem with one of your organs.

As with your stomach, the pain may be transient, but if it is sharp, persistent, or worsening, it is usually a good idea to have it checked out.

As a rule of thumb, any abdominal symptom should be checked by a doctor if you are experiencing one or more of the following symptoms:

• Pain that is dull and lasts for more than a week

• Pain that is significant and does not get better within 24 to 48 hours

• Pain that worsens and either gets more severe or occurs frequently

• Pain accompanied by bloating that lasts for more than two days

• Pain accompanied by unexplained weight loss

• Pain accompanied by diarrhoea that lasts for more than five days

• Pain accompanied by fever

• Pain accompanied by a burning or painful sensation when urinating

Abdominal pain is a common symptom that can be caused by something as simple as a stomach virus or as serious as an aneurysm.

Don’t take any chances if something doesn’t seem right or feels “different” than your usual tummy ache. Get it checked.

We advise before an abdominal scan to fast for 4 hours. You can have water, black tea or coffee with no milk or sugar.

An ultrasound scan will usually require little preparation.

To perform an abdominal ultrasound, a person lies flat on their back on an examination table.

The procedure involves the use of an ultrasound probe. This is a wand-like device that sends high-frequency sound waves into the body and picks up the responding signal.

Before they begin, the doctor will apply a gel to the abdominal skin. This helps sound waves pass through the abdomen more efficiently. The gel is water-based and easy to clean off after the procedure.

The doctor will then place the probe on the abdomen. They will move the device around the area to create a better image of the abdomen. The transducer may press lightly on the abdomen, but the procedure should not feel uncomfortable.

This process will continue until the ultrasound image contains a sufficient amount of detail for its intended purpose. It is possible to display the ultrasound image immediately and to take photographs for reference.

After completing the ultrasound, the doctor will clean any remaining gel from the abdominal skin.

The procedure should take 15–25 minutes to complete.

Radiology  Doctors are specially trained doctors in imaging for medical conditions including the use of ultrasound. They will be able to discuss the results of their analysis to help with the diagnosis of a condition.

There is no particular type of care required after an Abdomen Ultrasound. You may resume your regular diet and daily activities unless your doctor advises you differently.

There are no confirmed adverse biological effects on patients or instrument operators caused by exposures to ultrasound at the intensity levels used in diagnostic ultrasound.

But depending on your particular results, the doctor may give you additional or alternative instructions after the procedure.

Many of our patients are concerned that if they come to us for an ultrasound, they won’t be able to go back to public health. That simply is not the case.

Our goal is to give you answers as quickly as possible and get you on the right treatment path fast – no strings attached.

When you come to us, you will be seen by a qualified specialist who can determine if your situation is serious or not that same day.

We don’t want you to wait weeks on end for an appointment because every minute counts when it comes to something as important as your health.

If your situation is serious, our specialist will write to your doctor in the NHS advising them that you need an urgent appointment.