What is a Lower Abdomen Ultrasound?

We’ve all had stomach aches that vanish after eating clean or by just having a clear gut. But what if it doesn’t? The root cause for it can be identified by a simple, non-invasive imaging technique known as Ultrasound-lower abdomen or USG Lower abdomen. It uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of the structures and organs in the lower belly region, also known as the abdomen and pelvic region. This test checks the health of your liver, gall-bladder, uterus, kidneys, and the blood vessels leading to them; hence, this is one of the most preferred tests in case of aortic aneurysm, along with many others. An abdominal aortic aneurysm is an enlarged aorta, especially in the lower part. The aorta is the main artery in the body that supplies blood to all the other arteries and veins. A lower abdomen ultrasound to check for aortic aneurysm is generally recommended for men aged between 65 to 80 who smoke or have a history of smoking. But that’s not it, a lower abdomen ultrasound can help identify issues related to a large number of organs in your body, such as:

Ultrasound is considered a safer alternative to other imaging procedures such as X-rays or CT (Computed tomography) scan, as it does not use ionising radiation or contrast agents.

Why is a Lower Abdomen Ultrasound advised?

Your health-care provider can ask you to have a lower abdomen ultrasound conducted in cases of:

Does ultrasound radiation hamper the baby’s growth?

We’ve heard this question pop up in most young mothers, and it’s fair. During pregnancy, an ultrasound is required in every trimester, leading to any thoughts about the hazards. Let’s try and understand it. Ultrasound is sound waves with frequencies higher than the upper limit of humans, typically above 20kHz.These sound waves, when reflected back after hitting any organ, create an image, termed a sonogram.

Pre-test preparations

Once you book a lower abdomen ultrasound, your healthcare provider guides you through pre-test preparations. In some cases, you’ll be asked to drink loads of water before the test, and in some cases, none at all. In some scenarios, you could be asked to not eat at least 8 to 12 hours before the test, and in some cases, you can go along with your day. Just remember to wear loose and comfortable clothes that would not hinder the procedure.

Conclusion

The procedure is non-invasive and does not take much time. If your healthcare provider would now wish to study your blood vessels, they may then proceed with a Doppler ultrasound. A lower abdomen ultrasound scan or lower abdomen sonogram is a precautionary test that can be performed during full body check-ups or just like that. A USG ultrasound helps understand your organ health and if any precautions need to be taken.