Emergency Ultrasounds: When You Need Them

Ultrasounds are an excellent diagnostic imaging tool. They’re non-invasive, painless, and use sound waves to create real-time images of what’s happening inside the body. Whether it’s checking on a baby during pregnancy, identifying internal injuries, or diagnosing conditions like gallstones or kidney issues, ultrasounds provide fast and accurate information. 

This makes them an invaluable resource in urgent care settings where quick answers are often needed. Here’s an overview of what ultrasounds are, what they entail, and when you might need one.

What Is an Ultrasound?

Ultrasounds are often associated with pregnant women. They don’t use radiation, making them a safer option for pregnancy.  However, medical providers use them for a variety of diagnostic purposes.

Ultrasound, also known as sonography, gets its name from how it uses sound waves to produce images of the body’s interior. A probe, combined with a special ultrasound gel applied to the skin, emits high-frequency sound waves that travel into the body. 

These waves bounce back to the probe, and a computer processes the returning signals to create detailed images of organs, blood flow, or other structures. 

Since the sound waves capture movement in real time, physicians can observe how blood is flowing, how organs function, or even how a baby moves during the exam.

Types of Ultrasound

Ultrasound technology has come a long way since its medical uses were first explored in the 1950s. It’s ultimately a result of many decades of sonar development for underwater purposes. Today, several types of ultrasound imaging exist: conventional and Doppler. 

• A conventional ultrasound reveals what’s happening internally through two-dimensional images. However, advancements in ultrasound technology enable physicians to see three-dimensional ultrasound images. 

• Doppler ultrasounds are ideal for examining blood flow through different parts of your body or organs. 
• Color Doppler utilizes different colors overlaid on the ultrasound image. The colors represent the direction and speed of blood flowing through the different vessels being examined. 

Advances in ultrasound technology allow physicians to see more detail than ever before, which enables them to see more of what they need to diagnose and treat you accurately.

What Do Ultrasound Colors Mean?

Different colors are presented based on the way sound waves reflect off of the areas being studied. Ultrasounds traditionally use white, black, and gray shades, but the color Doppler introduced other shades patients may wish to understand.

Here’s a breakdown of the colors you might see and what they typically mean:

• Black: Black spaces often indicate tissues filled with liquid, like amniotic fluid in the uterus.
• White: White usually shows the presence of bones.
• Gray: Grayish colors usually indicate tissues and liquids. A brighter shade equals a denser tissue.
• Orange: This color usually appears when analyzing blood vessels, especially slow flows.
• Red and Blue: These colors represent the direction of blood flow. The brighter the color, the faster the flow. A darker shade of red or blue indicates slower movement.

• Red usually indicates blood moving toward the ultrasound probe.
• Blue shows blood moving away from the probe.

When Do You Need an Ultrasound?

If you come into your nearest Urgency Room with symptoms such as pain, swelling, or suspected infection, you may have an ultrasound taken of the afflicted area. 

A provider  may use an ultrasound for observing organs and vessels, such as:

• Heart
• Live
• Gallbladder
• Spleen
• Pancreas
• Blood vessels, including the aorta
• Brain (in infants)
• Ovaries
• Scrotum
• Uterus
• Eyes

The majority of internal organs and vessels can be examined with the use of an ultrasound. It’s a quick, painless, and easy way to tell a lot about what’s happening inside your body. 

Since an ultrasound can detect abnormal blood flow, providers will be able to identify some of the following:

• Blocked arteries
• Blood clots
• Closed veins
• Poor blood circulation

A provider may be able to get all the information they need from an ultrasound, but ultrasound results may lead to the need for further testing, like an MRI.  Your care team at The Urgency Room will be able to determine the best course of action for you and your needs.

Can Emergency Rooms Do Ultrasounds?

Yes, emergency rooms can perform ultrasounds. 

The use of sonography for trauma is a vital tool in emergency settings. It allows medical professionals to quickly diagnose serious conditions like abdominal aortic aneurysms, ectopic pregnancy, and internal injuries. It’s fast, non-invasive, and helps ER physicians make critical decisions, especially for trauma patients when time is of the essence.

Ultrasounds at the Urgency Room

Our state-of-the-art facilities provide the medical technology to diagnose and treat many issues. Each standalone Urgency Room is owned and operated by the Emergency Physicians Professional Association (EPPA), which means you’re guaranteed to be in good hands when coming to us for care. 

If you suspect you may need an ultrasound, The Urgency Room has you covered.  Each location is outfitted with equipment, including ultrasound,  X-ray machines, CT scanners, and high-complexity labs to examine and investigate various ailments, pains, illnesses, or injuries.

When Minutes Matter, Come to The Urgency Room

 When you need prompt medical care for urgent issues, The Urgency Room is here to help. With accessible locations and flexible hours, we provide efficient, high-quality care to get you back on your feet as quickly as possible.