They say that the ultrasound department is the key for any hospital, since it is here that the diagnosis of the human body is made. A competent specialist here can see any disease at an early stage, and early detection is the key to successful treatment. But the trouble is, many people are afraid: is ultrasound harmful? Maybe the radiation received can cause the growth of cancer cells? How to deal with such a dilemma?
Features of ultrasound
Why do people ask if ultrasound is harmful? Because this research method is still relatively young and developing. Efficiency is obvious, accessibility pleases, but the questions from this do not become less. Pregnant women are especially worried because they have to be regularly exposed to ultrasound, and along with the child growing inside. But, on the other hand, how can you be sure of the he althy and harmonious development of your baby without the use of ultrasound? Indeed, such a methodexamination allows you to see in advance possible pathologies and even eradicate them even inside the womb. So it is impossible to unfoundedly denigrate ultrasonic waves either in medicine or in other scientific fields. Indeed, today different possibilities of ultrasonic waves are used: for heating objects, creating ultrasonic vibrations, reflections from obstacles, etc.
Relevance of the procedure
The human body is relatively transparent to ultrasonic waves, and therefore, when passing through tissues, these waves create a reflection, the degree and intensity of which is captured by the ultrasound sensor, and displayed on the monitor screen. As a result, a specialist can observe your internal organs and assess their condition. The entire ultrasound examination procedure takes, on average, no more than twenty minutes. At the same time, tissue overheating is not allowed.
In modern medicine, by the way, more powerful ultrasonic waves can be used. High-intensity focused ultrasound is used for minimally invasive surgical interventions. With its help, the removal of uterine fibroids with the preservation of the organ, the removal of a prostate tumor, the treatment of atrial fibrillation and shock wave lithotripsy are carried out. Also, with the help of ultrasound, surgery is performed for pathologies of the pelvic organs and the abdominal cavity. But even when using powerful radiation, it is very problematic to achieve the required temperature for a radical effect. This requires more than 20 thousand W/cm2 with a duration of exposure of three hours. Arisesa logical question, but is ultrasound harmful?
Influence on DNA
Speaking about whether ultrasound is harmful, they often refer to the destructive effect of waves on human DNA. This opinion is based on some developments carried out in the institutes of the USSR until 1992. At that time, personnel working on the study of ultrasound fell under the category of "under the harmful effects" and received additional payments for harmfulness. But there was an opinion, and there were no works confirming this. So already in 1995, ultrasound was used to diagnose fetal pathologies.
There have been many studies on the topic "Is it harmful to do ultrasound." In particular, it is worth noting the work of neuroscientist Pasko Rakic, who exposed pregnant mice to ultrasound. He proved that systematic exposure for up to half an hour generated a number of changes in the work of groups of neurons in the brain of mice. Because of this, the cells lost their ability to work, as their parameters and some characteristics changed greatly. True, no negative changes in the development and functions of the brain were found, so it cannot be argued that the changes were dangerous. In the 70s, studies were conducted on the he alth status of young mothers who underwent ultrasound during pregnancy, and a comparative analysis with ladies who did without such a study. At the same time, no negative effect on the fetus was found, but a certain characteristic feature was noted - in those ladies who underwent the study, the born boys were left-handed. This fact confirms a certain effect of ultrasound on neurogenic regulation.fetus.
When Pregnant
If an ordinary person is rarely forced to undergo an ultrasound examination, then the situation is completely different with a pregnant woman. After all, she worries not only for herself, but also for the child. Is ultrasound safe during pregnancy? This question begins to worry the expectant mother from the first trimester. The expediency of the study cannot be disputed, since in its process it is possible to identify a number of pathologies and undesirable changes and obtain comprehensive information about how the child feels. With such data, it is possible to take timely measures to optimize the life of the baby and mother.
If the pregnancy proceeds normally, then ultrasound is prescribed only three times. A more frequent examination is indicated only if there is a threat to the development of the fetus. These include the development of an ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, spontaneous abortion and placental abruption, multiple pregnancy, malformations of the baby and toxicosis in the later stages. With such indications, the dubious harm from ultrasound cannot be compared with the real risk to mother and child.
Strong argument
Thinking about whether ultrasound is harmful to the fetus, it is worth taking into account how the child directly behaves during the procedure. For many women, the reaction of the baby in this matter is decisive. For example, doctors during ultrasound often note that the embryo begins to actively move, turn away from the sensor, or, conversely, reveal to itembrace. But in fact, this behavior does not mean that ultrasound harms the fetus. The reasons often lie in the tense state of the mother herself. Also, the reason may be uterine tone caused by the touch of a cold probe or gel, pressure on the uterus of a full bladder, or banal excitement.
Correct "dosage"
The question of whether ultrasound during pregnancy is harmful to the fetus cannot be answered unambiguously, but still, up to ten weeks, doctors recommend avoiding this type of diagnosis. The referral is given by the attending physician from the antenatal clinic who manages the pregnancy. So in a conversation about the possible dangers of the research method, it is best to be guided by the phrase "the medicine differs from the poison only in dosage." Still, ultrasound affects tissues, and the evidence for this is the excitation of nerve fibers that occurs as a reaction to focused ultrasound. But if ultrasound is not recommended at an early date, then you can be sure of relative safety during examination at a later date.
Common myth
Why, despite the seeming safety, many are tormented by the question of whether it is harmful to do ultrasound during pregnancy? The most important fear lies in the fact that ultrasound can cause cancer. Is it so? Supporters of this theory believe that ultrasound causes oscillations of a special frequency, favorable for the development of tumors. But science has not proven the assumption that cancer has a certain rhythm. Moreover, it is ultrasound that is the main method for diagnosing cancer.diseases, especially in the early stages.
Another myth relates to the fact that with frequent use, ultrasound destroys tissue. But in fact, the alleged negative impact would be reflected in the condition of the skin, which, by the way, are the first to come into contact with the sensor. And in the entire history of the use of ultrasound, not a single case of skin injury has been noted.
Doing it often is harmful or beneficial?
If during pregnancy this method of research allows you to prevent and cure some pathologies, then maybe you should come for an ultrasound scan as often as possible? But what about doubts like whether ultrasound is harmful in the early stages? In fact, this method does not have a cumulative effect, and the effect lasts exactly as long as the examination is in progress. So, in fact, there are no obvious restrictions on the number of procedures performed, which cannot be said about an X-ray examination, for example. But there is no need to independently “direct” yourself to an ultrasound scan. Ideally, everything should take place on the recommendation and prescription of a doctor.
