Ultrasound imaging is done for many medical reasons. The tests are common, so you may need to have one done at some point. Fortunately, the imaging tests are usually easy to undergo, although you'll need to follow your doctor's instructions on fasting and whether to drink water before the exam. Since the tests use sound waves rather than radiation like X-rays, ultrasound imaging is very safe. Here are three times this type of imaging may be used.

1. For Diagnostic Purposes 

An ultrasound creates images of the inside of your body. This is done in real time, so a video is produced of blood flowing or your heart beating. Still photos can be taken as well. This is possible because the sound waves create an echo that bounces back to the transducer when they hit organs or bones in your body.

The software reads the echos and creates images that let the doctor see tumors and other abnormalities in your body that help them reach a diagnosis of your condition. An ultrasound can be done on just about any part of your body to let your doctor see organs, blood flow, breast tissue, and bones.

The tests are usually done by gliding a transducer on the surface of your skin, but they can also be done internally in the case of a rectal, vaginal, or esophageal imaging test.

2. To Monitor Pregnancy Or Treatments

Ultrasound imaging is common during pregnancy. The images produced help your doctor determine if your baby is developing properly. The test can also reveal the gender of your baby before they're born. If you have a high-risk pregnancy, the doctor may give you periodic ultrasound testing to monitor your baby.

Monitoring might also be done for other reasons. If you undergo certain treatments, regular imaging tests help your doctor know if the treatments are effective or if the treatment needs to be changed.

3. For Guidance During Procedures

Another common reason for ultrasound imaging is to help your doctor during a procedure. The video image on the monitor allows your doctor to see inside your body so they can give injections in your spine or knee joint in the exact places needed.

The images also help with biopsies. Your doctor can use the video image to show where tumors are located so they can take a biopsy without having to do surgery. This could save you from having a large incision needed for open surgery to locate the tumor and take a sample for a lab test. When an ultrasound video guides the doctor, they can just pass a biopsy needle through your skin and into the tumor to get samples.

For more information, contact a company like Physiologix Health Services.