The development of medicine does not stand still. Over the years, specialists have managed to create a fairly simple way to diagnose human internal organs. This method is called "ultrasound." It is quite accurate and reliable. Most often, patients are prescribed a study of the digestive system, including ultrasound of the liver. Preparation for the procedure is required in each case. However, for different patients, it may be slightly different. From this article you can find out what indications an ultrasound of the liver has. Preparation for the procedure will also be presented to your attention.
What is a liver?
Before figuring out how an ultrasound scan of the liver is done , preparation for the study, and what indications there are, it’s worth saying a few words about the organ itself.
The liver is recognized as one of the largest formations in the abdominal cavity of a person. It performs vital functions. The organ is involved in hematopoiesis. The liver also passes through all the medications, junk food, alcohol and other products entering the human body. During this process, the body cleanses all nutrients from toxins and poisons. That is why so often people have to deal with liver diseases. To identify this or that pathology, doctors conduct research. They consist in palpation, blood and urine tests. Ultrasound of the liver is also often prescribed. Preparation for the procedure involves several stages. You will learn more about them later.
Indications for diagnosis
Most often, a study is prescribed for older people. This is due to the fact that with age, various liver pathologies occur. However, research is not excluded in young people. Indications for the procedure are the following cases:
- yellowing of the skin and mucous membranes;
- bright urine in combination with a pale feces;
- poor laboratory results;
- long-term medication;
- the state of the body after radiation exposure and chemotherapy;
- abdominal pain localized in the right hypochondrium;
- heaviness in the peritoneum after eating;
- alcohol abuse and addiction to bad habits;
- suspicion of the formation of tumors in an organ of a different nature;
- after severe trauma to the peritoneum;
- during some diseases at the stage of selection of correction;
- for routine inspection.
In fact, the list of readings can go on for a very long time. These items are the most popular reasons for which a doctor prescribes such a study. This allows you to find out the cause of the pathology and make the correct diagnosis.
Ultrasound of the liver: preparation
Preparation of the patient for such a study should begin a few days before the appointed diagnosis. It includes several stages. The patient needs to follow a certain diet and drink. In some cases, it becomes necessary to use drugs.
If the doctor has prescribed an ultrasound of the liver, preparation for the procedure will be explained to you in advance. Otherwise, you need to independently ask a doctor and find out what needs to be done before the manipulation. Consider the main points of preparation for diagnosis.
Three days before the study
So, you are preparing for an ultrasound of the liver. What can I eat? There are no special dietary restrictions three days before the manipulation. However, for this period of time, it is worth abandoning fatty dishes, smoked meats and pickles. Also limit your intake of fast food and instant foods. Three days before the manipulation, it is necessary to completely exclude alcohol and carbonated drinks from the diet.
Try at this time to eat soups cooked in low-fat broth. Instead of plain bread, eat bran or bread. Porridge, boiled potatoes, steamed meat - you can eat all this. Limit raw vegetables and fruits. If you wish, you can process cabbage, eggplant, broccoli in a steam way and then use them. Plain water should be ingested unlimited.
The day before the diagnosis
If you are overweight, then most likely the doctor will recommend a cleansing enema. As an alternative method of cleansing the body, you can take a laxative. However, this should be done not on the eve of the event, but in about 24 hours.
In addition, it is recommended to take several tablets of activated carbon. Sorbent will cleanse your body of harmful substances that may affect the results of the study. With increased gas formation, appropriate medications should be used, for example, Espumisan. However, before that, it is worth consulting a doctor.
On the day of the study
Almost completed for an ultrasound of the liver preparation. Can I drink water on the day of diagnosis?
Doctors recommend performing the procedure on an empty stomach. That is why most studies are scheduled for the morning. Drinking water is not contraindicated. However, these should not be liters of liquid. Limit yourself to one glass. If the procedure is scheduled for evening or lunch time, then a light breakfast is allowed. Remember that at least six hours must pass from the last meal to the start of the study.
Summarizing
You now know how to prepare for a procedure called "ultrasound examination of the liver." Often during the manipulation, the doctor examines the neighboring organs. The data obtained allow us to judge about possible pathologies or their absence. Remember that a conclusion is never a diagnosis. In the research protocol, the doctor describes only what he sees on the monitor of the diagnostic apparatus. The final verdict must be made by the attending physician. That is why, after manipulation, it is advisable to consult a specialist and get an appointment. Good research results!