The Power of Preventative Care: Why Book An Ultrasound?
Since the origins of modern medicine, we’ve been developing new and imaginative ways to stay well. In recent decades, healthcare has become increasingly about preventative efforts, where early diagnosis and healthy living can have a big impact on long term outcomes for many patients.
It is thanks to new technologies such as scans that we can now reap the benefits of preventative care. This kind of diagnostic tool can help to keep us healthy for longer, where any issues can be uncovered with greater accuracy than ever before.
In particular, one type of scan that has been utilised increasingly in recent years is the ultrasound, where this non-invasive technology allows medical professionals to see what is happening inside the body. Today, private ultrasounds can be accessed quickly and safely, allowing patients to access preventative care and receive peace of mind.
Read on to find out more about medical ultrasounds, with a look at the various ways you could benefit from booking this vital service.
Understanding Ultrasounds
An ultrasound is a type of imaging tool that allows a medical professional to see inside the body via a screen. This is made possible with the help of sound waves, which pass through the body in order to produce an image of a specific area.
Unlike an X-ray, there is no harmful radiation produced by this kind of scan, where most ultrasounds are entirely non-invasive and painless. Ultrasounds are also incredibly helpful for the delivery of preventative healthcare. According to the National Health Executive, 85% of surveyed practitioners believe that ultrasounds lead to better patient outcomes.
This means that patients as a whole are more likely to be treated successfully and to recover well if an ultrasound is completed at an early stage.
The Process
Booking an ultrasound can feel daunting, but the process involved is actually very simple. Usually patients are invited to lie down on an examination table, where the body part that is being scanned should be uncovered. A special ultrasound gel will then be applied to the area. This gel is needed in order to allow ultrasound waves to be used effectively, as these waves tend to travel best through a gel and into the body rather than when they move through the air.
Your medical professional will then move a handheld scanning device over the area, sending harmless sound waves into the body. The scanner device then records the reflected waves, translating them into a black-and-white image on a nearby screen.
The entire process tends to take between 15 and 45 minutes, depending on how long it takes for your doctor to interpret the images on the screen.
How Can An Ultrasound Protect Your Health
An ultrasound can be incredibly useful when it comes to managing both common and complex health conditions. This is because it can reveal hidden problems within the body, even before symptoms manifest themselves.
Most people will know of ultrasounds as a method of monitoring pregnancies. Scans are usually offered at key stages throughout the pregnancy, where these can determine how long a patient has been pregnant, the position of the baby and volumes of amniotic fluid. Additionally, ultrasounds can be used to check the health and wellbeing of the baby at major stages of development.
Beyond pregnancy, ultrasound scans can also be used to identify and diagnose a range of additional health conditions. Typical health problems that an ultrasound can be used to investigate include:
- Liver & gallbladder issues
- Cancerous or benign lumps
- Kidney & abdomen problems
- Infertility queries
- Abnormal menstrual bleeding
In each of these situations, an ultrasound may be used to identify whether a physical abnormality is present, or whether a health condition has improved.
Why Opt For A Private Ultrasound
There are numerous ways in which patients can benefit from a private ultrasound appointment, compared to waiting for an NHS service. Some of these advantages include:
Shorter Wait Times
When you’re worrying about your health, the last thing you want is an extended wait to get a scan. With a private service, you can benefit from reduced or no waiting time, helping you to resolve your problem quickly. Some services will even offer same day emergency appointments, meaning you can get your ultrasound straight away.
Top Quality Equipment
A private medical facility will always use the best equipment available, as they will have a better budget to work with than an NHS service. This means that your ultrasound will be accurate, with a clear picture that allows the doctor to make an informed decision about your health.
Premium Customer Care
If you’re feeling anxious about your health, it is helpful to have a supportive medical team at your disposal. Private care usually means a better quality service, as facilities will be well staffed with an emphasis on patient care. This means that you can expect to be treated with a high standard of professionalism and compassion at your appointment.
Flexible Appointments
It can be hard to fit an ultrasound appointment around your busy schedule, where it helps if your service provider is willing to be flexible. At a private practice, you may be able to access evening and weekend appointment times, as well as flexible options and last minute changes, all of which can make it easier to see a doctor.
London Private Ultrasound: Medical Ultrasounds When You Need Them
Our private healthcare services are designed to help you to receive the best medical support when you need it most. We offer comprehensive ultrasound screenings, where this service can assist with wellness diagnostics and disease detection.
When you make an appointment with us, you can feel confident in the expertise of our ultrasound specialists, who hold over ten years of experience with this practice.You can self-refer for an appointment with us without seeing your GP, where we also offer urgent appointment options with no waiting list.
Get in touch with us today to find out more about our private health screenings.