Diagnosis of the disease is a complex procedure in which laboratory, instrumental and hardware methods are used. In order to accurately determine the problem, the doctor is not always enough to examine the patient and collect an anamnesis. In this regard, ultrasound diagnostics is very widespread. This is a harmless technique that has no contraindications. Preparation for abdominal ultrasound is necessary so that the results of the study are the most complete and accurate.
General information
An accurate diagnosis is already half the successful treatment. If the doctor suspects that the patient has any diseases of the abdominal cavity, then ultrasound is most often prescribed. This is due to the fact that multiple pathologies that occur in this area have similar symptoms, often misleading. Ultrasound is the most informative diagnosis, which allows the doctor to get an objective idea of the pathologies of the patient's internal organs.
What does it show?
Ultrasound diagnosis allows you to study not only the parenchymal organs, but also those in which there is fluid. During the study, you can get an idea about the state of the pancreas, spleen, gall bladder and ducts, liver. Along with this, during the ultrasound examination, the kidneys, which are located in the retroperitoneal space, are examined. It is noteworthy that with the help of such a diagnosis, you can assess the condition of the stomach and intestines. However, given the fact that these organs contain air, it is extremely difficult to make an accurate diagnosis. Preparation for the study (abdominal ultrasound) must be carried out, otherwise the results may be distorted.
Thanks to this diagnosis, the exact dimensions of the internal organs, as well as their location, are established. It is necessary to check for unwanted developmental abnormalities and congenital features. Ultrasound can help determine the presence of foci of inflammation, neoplasm and other dangerous changes. Using this study, the doctor also evaluates how well the postoperative period is. This diagnostic method is so accurate that it allows you to establish the presence of polyps or stones, the size of which does not exceed two to three millimeters.
Reasons for Inaccurate Data
In some patients who are referred for abdominal ultrasound, preparation for the study raises doubts: should it be carried out? Yes, and certainly! In the absence of proper preparation, the results of the study may be distorted. The main problem that makes it difficult to make a correct diagnosis is gas congestion. His cramping can also interfere with research. Finally, an excess body weight of the patient can become an obstacle to an ultrasound scan. This is due to the fact that adipose tissue interferes with the sufficient penetration of the ultrasound beam.
How is it carried out?
With proper preparation for the study, abdominal ultrasound provides the ability to relatively quickly obtain reliable information required to confirm or exclude a particular diagnosis. A small amount of gel is applied to the stomach, which facilitates the procedure. When the doctor drives the sensor along the examined area, all data is recorded and displayed on the monitor of specialized equipment.
Usually a person lies on his back. However, to complete the overall picture, the specialist may ask the patient to turn on his side (both on the right and on the left). You should also be prepared to take a deep breath or, conversely, hold your breath. Usually, a comprehensive examination requires no more than 20-30 minutes. It is important to note that during this diagnosis, the patient does not experience absolutely no pain or discomfort, except that the sensor may be a little cool.
Prohibited Products
Preparation for abdominal ultrasound involves a temporary review of the diet. Otherwise, the procedure will have to be repeated. If a large accumulation of gases is observed in the intestine, then the probability of correct visualization of the pathology is noticeably reduced. To avoid this, you need to start following a certain diet a few days (2-3) before the study.
The list of temporarily banned products includes the following:
- Legumes (peas, beans, lentils and others).
- Raw fruits and vegetables.
- Rye bread and muffin.
- Sour milk (kefir, fermented baked milk and others).
- Various sweets.
As for drinks, you will have to abandon mineral water, juices and soft drinks. It is also recommended that you completely refrain from alcohol.
Allowed Products
What can I eat in preparation for an abdominal ultrasound? This question is of concern to all conscious patients who are facing this study. In the allowed list:
- Porridge on water (oats, buckwheat, linseed, barley and other grains).
- Low-fat meat (chicken or beef).
- Cheese.
- Soft-boiled eggs (no more than 1 per day).
- Low-fat fish.
All products should be predominantly steamed or boiled. Also, do not forget to drink the required amount of liquid (from one and a half liters). You need to eat fractionally, and the evening reception should be as easy as possible.
Bowel cleansing
Sometimes, when an abdominal ultrasound is prescribed, the preparation for the study should be thorough. The doctor may prescribe a bowel cleanser. In order for the study to be as reliable as possible, its release from the content is required. An enema is advisable on the eve of an ultrasound in the interval from 16 to 18 hours.
For preparation, you can use Esmarch's mug. One or one and a half liters of water is enough. After the procedure, it is required to take sorbents. Alternatively, you can use microclysters. However, before using any medication, you should consult your doctor.
Special preparations
To prepare the patient for ultrasound of the abdominal cavity, the doctor can prescribe various medications. It all depends on the individual characteristics of human health. The list of recommended drugs for all age groups includes the following:
- Infakol.
- "Cuplaton."
- Espumisan.
- "Bobotik."
Before using any of the medicines listed above, you should carefully read the instructions. There should be a reservation regarding the use of drugs immediately before abdominal ultrasound - as preparation for the study.
If the patient has an individual intolerance, then other medicines may be prescribed. In the list of alternative drugs:
- Smecta.
- "Festal".
- "White coal".
- Mezim.
All these medicines affect intestinal motility, helping it to cleanse in a timely manner.
It is noteworthy that in preparation for abdominal ultrasound, some drugs can not be used. First of all, this applies to laxatives, which include lactulose. You can not use medicines such as Prelaxan, Normase or Dufalac. They can cause bloating.
Before the procedure
Preparation for ultrasound of the abdominal cavity involves the rejection of food on the day of the study. Going to see a doctor is necessary on an empty stomach. You should refuse not only food, but also drinking (the only exception is an ultrasound of the bladder), if the doctor recommends this. However, there may be special requirements. For example, in some cases, to conduct a study of the gallbladder, a doctor may recommend to eat several tablespoons of sour cream or vegetable oil on an empty stomach.
It is worth noting that such examinations are prescribed not only in the morning, but also in the afternoon. If the ultrasound is planned to be carried out only after 15:00, then in the morning you can afford a small portion of light food. However, it is not worth it to arbitrar; nevertheless, it is better to coordinate this issue with the doctor.
In children
Small patients are also prescribed abdominal ultrasound. Preparation for the study in this case has its own characteristics. Children under the age of 15 may not follow a special diet 3 days before the prescribed procedure.
- Up to a year. You can feed the baby once a day. An hour before the study should stop giving him water.
- Up to 3 years. You can not eat 4 hours before the ultrasound. Stop drinking fluids about an hour before the procedure.
- Under 14 years old. You should begin to refrain from eating 6-8 hours before the study. Stop drinking fluid at least an hour before it.
When an abdominal ultrasound is prescribed for a child, the preparation should be carefully monitored by the parents. Deviation from the doctor's recommendations may lead to the fact that the study will have to be repeated.
What else can distort the results
In preparation for abdominal ultrasound, non-obvious errors can be made. So, for example, the patient could follow all the recommendations, but on the morning of the day of the study, he began flatulence. In this situation, a cleansing enema should be made, since the diagnosis will be unreliable.
On the day of the ultrasound it is strictly forbidden to smoke. This is due to the fact that smoke very often causes an incorrect or fuzzy image. So, just one small cigarette can lead to the fact that you have to re-prepare for ultrasound of the abdominal cavity. The memo is issued to the patient for a reason, he must carefully read it.
Before the study, you can not eat candy or chew gum. You should begin to refrain from them at least two hours before the procedure. Gum and candy have a strong effect on digestion.
If an X-ray examination with a contrast agent was carried out the day before, then this also can distort the data obtained during ultrasound. You must inform your doctor about this and wait a few days. Otherwise, the contrast medium may interfere with the ultrasound examination and distort its results.
During preparation for abdominal ultrasound in adults and children, antispasmodics should not be taken. Such drugs as Papazol, Spazmalgon, No-shpa, Dibazol, Papaverin and others are meant. This can distort the results of the study. If discontinuation of these drugs for medical reasons is not possible, then it is imperative to inform the doctor about this.
Absolute indications for
The patient should not refuse an ultrasound of the abdominal cavity if he has the following alarming symptoms:
- Frequent abdominal pain.
- Problems after an abdominal injury.
- Taste of bitterness in the mouth.
- Excessive gas formation.
- Heaviness and pain in the right hypochondrium.
Also, ultrasound diagnostics are prescribed to people who are preparing for upcoming operations. Patients with chronic illnesses should have an ultrasound scan regularly at least once every six months.
Conclusion
The reader already knows how to properly prepare for abdominal ultrasound. A leaflet that is given to patients usually contains answers to all questions. In order for the data obtained during the study to be as reliable as possible, it is necessary to strictly observe all the recommendations of the doctor. If there are results of previous ultrasound diagnostics, then you should definitely take them with you. This will help the attending physician to track the dynamics of changes.