Ultrasound
Advanced Ultrasound Services for Accurate Diagnosis
Ultrasounds are powerful, safe, and pain-free procedures that enable medical providers to diagnose a wide variety of injuries and ailments. With our own in-house equipment and highly trained staff, Our Family Health provides ultrasound services to our patients in and around Monroe from the comfort and convenience of our office. We employ the latest technology to help our patients get the best imaging so that we can make an accurate diagnosis and chart a path forward to wellness.
Ultrasound Explained
Ultrasound is a type of imaging technology that uses sound waves to look at the body. It is less expensive than a CT or MRI and does not expose people to radioactive waves. It is a good initial test to help the medical team visualize and understand what is happening within the body without having to do more invasive procedures. It is generally well tolerated by patients, and only takes between 10-30 minutes to complete, depending on the specifics of the procedure.
At Our Family Health, we conduct many types of ultrasound to diagnose a wide variety of health issues.
Types of ultrasound offered include:
- Abdominal
- Breast
- Soft tissue
- Venous/doppler
- Arterial studies of extremities
- Testicular
- Pelvic
- Transvaginal
- Thyroid
What is Ultrasound Used for?
If you are being given an ultrasound, your technician will apply a gel medium to the area of your body to
be examined and then press a small hand-held device, called a transducer, against the area. This transducer sends and receives sound waves that are then sent to a computer to create an image of the area being looked at.
These images can be of many different parts of the body, to examine, diagnose, and monitor a variety of conditions. Ultrasounds are frequently used to see below the skin for evaluation of lumps and organs. They can be used to see the thyroid gland, liver or other parts of abdomen, and can be used to look at blood vessels and blood flow, and to look at the heart as an echocardiogram. Ultrasounds are widely used during pregnancy to monitor the development of the fetus. We do not offer pregnancy-related ultrasounds at our clinic.
Ultrasound Frequently Asked Questions
How long does an ultrasound take?
It varies based on the particular ultrasound being performed and your specific condition, but ultrasounds can generally be completed in the Our Family Health office within 10-60 minutes.
Is there special preparation for an ultrasound?
Abdominal, pelvic, and transvaginal ultrasounds require preparation. You will need to avoid eating six hours in advance of an abdominal ultrasound. Pelvic and transvaginal ultrasounds require a full bladder to begin the procedure. Drink 32 ounces of any liquid one hour before your examination time. Try to drink all the liquid within 30 minutes. Do not urinate before the exam. Arrive for your exam with a full bladder.
Are there any side-effects from an ultrasound?
Side-effects from an ultrasound would be very uncommon. Ultrasounds are non-invasive and have no associated specific side-effects.
Are ultrasounds covered by insurance?
Ultrasounds are widely covered by insurers. As with all insurance questions, your specifics may vary and should be discussed with our office and your insurance provider. Visit our Insurance Information page to learn more about how to use your health insurance.
Do you do 3D ultrasounds?
Our Family Health does not offer 3D ultrasounds. For most diagnostic purposes, 3D ultrasounds are not required. If needed, we help our patients to find an appropriate location and provider.
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