What is Ultrasound Imaging?

About Ultrasound Imaging:

• It is a noninvasive imaging test.
• It uses high-frequency sound waves to create real-time pictures or videos of internal organs or other soft tissues, such as blood vessels.
• It is also called ultrasonography or sonography. Ultrasound images may be called sonograms.
• Ultrasound enables healthcare providers to see the details of soft tissues inside your body without making any incisions (cuts). 
• Unlike other imaging techniques, ultrasound uses no radiation.
• Healthcare providers use ultrasound exams for several purposes, including during pregnancy, for diagnosing conditions, and for image guidance during certain procedures.
• How does an ultrasound work?
  • During an ultrasound, a healthcare provider passes a device called a transducer or probe over an area of your body or inside a body opening.
  • The provider applies a thin layer of gel to your skin so that the ultrasound wavesare transmitted from the transducer through the gel and into your body.
  • The probe converts electrical current into high-frequency sound waves and sends the waves into your body’s tissue.
  • Sound waves bounce off structures inside your body and back to the probe, which converts the waves into electrical signals.
  • The denser the object the ultrasound hits, the more of the ultrasound bounces back.
  • A computer then converts the pattern of electrical signals into real-time images or videos, which are displayed on a computer screen.
• Limitations:
  • Sound waves don’t travel well through air or bone. This means ultrasound isn’t effective at imaging body parts that have gas in them or are hidden by bone, such as the lungs or head.
  • Ultrasound may also not be able to see objects that are located very deep in the human body. 

Q1: What is Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease?

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, often called NAFLD, is a liver problem that affects people who drink little to no alcohol. In NAFLD, too much fat builds up in the liver. It is seen most often in people who are overweight or obese.It is the most common form of liver disease in the world. NASH causes the liver to swell and become damaged due to the fat deposits in the liver. NASH may get worse and may lead to serious liver scarring, called cirrhosis, and even liver cancer.

Source: Ultrasound key to detect fatty liver disease early: Experts

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