Doctors have always sought to get the most complete picture of the he alth of the body. Today they manage to achieve this. After all, ultrasound has come to the aid of physicians for the correct diagnosis of diseases. It is no secret that the success of treatment depends on correctly identified pathology. Ultrasound is used to diagnose many diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. What is the advantage of such a survey? How to properly prepare for it? And what will the ultrasound of the stomach show?
Indications for an examination
To understand what an ultrasound of the stomach will show, you should figure out under what conditions of the body it is prescribed. Testing is recommended for patients who have:
- ulcer;
- chronic gastritis;
- painful discomfort in the upper abdomen;
- frequent belching or heartburn;
- indigestion;
- vomiting frequently.
With recurring bronchitis, bronchial asthma, profuse regurgitation, babies are also prescribed ultrasound. Such an examination will provide the doctor with a complete picture of the pathology. It allows you to detect the presence of a deviationin the size of the body from the permissible norm. In addition, ultrasound shows the presence of foreign formations, tumors.
Ultrasound Benefits
Some patients have many questions. What will an ultrasound of the stomach show? Why is such research preferable?
The wide popularity of this survey lies in the following factors:
- it's perfectly safe;
- ultrasound results are completely reliable;
- examination is very convenient;
- Ultrasound does not require careful and lengthy preparation;
- does not apply to expensive procedures.
Ultrasonic waves are used in the study. For humans, they are completely safe. The procedure itself takes about fifteen minutes. Therefore, she cannot negatively influence the patient.
General recommendations
There are simple rules to remember. Despite the fact that the patient does not need to carefully prepare for the examination, on the eve of the ultrasound it is necessary to follow some recommendations. By adhering to them, the patient will be able to more effectively diagnose the body.
So, how to prepare for an ultrasound of the stomach? To do this is quite simple. Within three days before the scheduled ultrasound, the patient must follow a special diet. Such nutrition is aimed at eliminating excessive gas formation in the intestines. The diet implies the use of liquid (1.5 liters) during the day, the fractional intake of food. At the same time, you need to eat in small portions.
Excluded Products
Reject foods that can increase gas formation in the intestines before the ultrasound of the stomach. Preparation includes the exclusion of the following products:
- peas, beans;
- raw fruits, vegetables;
- muffin, black bread;
- various sweets;
- fatty meat and fish products;
- carbonated drinks;
- dairy products;
- juices, coffee;
- alcohol.
In addition, there are a few more recommendations. Do not eat mints or chew gum right before your procedure.
Patients need to understand that smoking causes stomach cramps. As a result, the patient may be misdiagnosed.
Used products
Doctors recommend choosing the following food before the procedure:
- fish (boiled or steamed);
- soft-boiled eggs;
- chicken or beef;
- low-fat cheese;
- cereal porridge cooked with water.
Medications and procedures
Preparing the body for ultrasound may include taking certain medications:
- Drugs that reduce gas formation. This is activated charcoal, Simethicone. If the choice fell on the last drug, then it should be taken the day before the ultrasound. And definitely in the morning before the examination.
- Drugs that improve the digestive process. Preparations "Festal", "Mezim".
- Laxatives. People suffering from constipation should take the herbal preparation "Senade" the day before the procedure.
A couple of days before the ultrasound, it is recommended to clean the intestines with an enema.
The procedure for preparing for the study is quite simple. However, it does not apply to mandatory recommendations. However, its observance allows you to more accurately diagnose the condition of the organ.
Surveying
The procedure is scheduled, as a rule, in the morning. An ultrasound of the stomach is performed on an empty stomach. The patient must have non-carbonated water (1 liter) or juice with him. Your doctor may recommend fluids to drink before your ultrasound. This will stretch the stomach so that the doctor can better see the condition of the walls, shape, function and pathological changes.
How is an ultrasound of the stomach done? The patient is advised to lie down on the couch. An aqueous gel is applied to the abdomen. This allows any remaining air to be forced out between the transducer and the skin. The survey begins. The doctor moves the sensor over the abdomen, pressing it at various angles.
After a while, it is recommended to drink water through a straw. This procedure allows you to consider the flow of fluid into the stomach from the esophagus. In addition, the lower esophagus is more clearly visualized. The procedure itself lasts about half an hour.
The patient receives the results of ultrasound immediately after the examination. The conclusion is printed on letterhead. It is signed by the doctor and stamped by the institution. In addition, the results are recorded on a compactdisk. This measure allows the attending physician to see all the described changes. Recording is also useful in case of repeated ultrasound. The doctor will be able to better evaluate all the changes that have occurred in the course of the disease.
Ultrasound is not recommended after the following examinations:
- FGDS;
- colonoscopy;
- gastrography;
- irrigoscopy.
Research results
Stomach ultrasound cannot replace endoscopic or X-ray examinations. However, it gives an idea of the state of the walls of the organ, its outer contours, helps to control the regression or recurrence of the pathological process.
So, what will the ultrasound of the stomach show? It fully studies the functions and reveals reflexivity. Ultrasound will provide information about the thickness of the walls of the stomach, inflammatory processes, tumors. The study will reliably clarify the localization of the pathology, will allow to study the blood flow, to distinguish between small structures. Such a survey provides answers to many questions.
Stomach ultrasound can detect the following conditions:
- neoplastic diffuse wall thickening;
- hypertrophic congenital pyloric stenosis;
- swelling of the walls;
- varicose veins;
- tumor aberrant vessels;
- gastric ulcer;
- acquired pyloric stenosis;
- tumors;
- lack of wall demarcation;
- gastric carcinoma;
- mesinchymal tumor;
- gastric lymphoma.
Opinions of patients and doctors
Most people consider gastric ultrasound to be an effective procedure. Patient reviews indicate that many misunderstand the features of this examination. When faced with it for the first time, people ask a lot of different questions, including asking what an ultrasound of the stomach will show.
Patients who have undergone this examination are surprised to note that it is very easy and simple to detect a wide variety of conditions. Doctors agree with this opinion. After all, ultrasound can detect quite serious pathologies in the early stages. At the same time, the simplicity of the method and harmlessness allow examination of almost all patients.
