Ultrasound is considered one of the safest and most reliable tests in modern medicine. It is widely used for monitoring pregnancy, checking liver, kidney, gallbladder, thyroid and other internal organs of the body. If you have ever undergone an ultrasound, you must have realized that before starting the examination, the technician applies a cold and transparent gel on the concerned part of the body. Many people have a question in their mind that why is this gel needed and can ultrasound be done even without it.
How does ultrasound work?
Ultrasound machine produces images of organs inside the body with the help of high-frequency sound waves. The probe of the machine sends these sound waves inside the body. When these waves bounce back after hitting various organs and tissues, the machine processes them and displays them as clear images on the screen. On the basis of these photographs, doctors assess the condition of the body and identify possible diseases.
Scientific reason for applying gel
The biggest challenge during ultrasound is the air present between the probe and the skin. Air stops sound waves from moving forward, due to which they are not able to enter the body properly. As a result the picture displayed on the screen may be blurry or incomplete. The ultrasound gel completely removes this air and provides better contact between the probe and the skin. Due to this, sound waves reach inside the body without any obstruction and the doctor gets a clean, clear and accurate picture of the organs.
Why ultrasound is not done without gel?
If gel is not used during an ultrasound, the quality of the examination may be significantly affected. Sound waves will not be able to penetrate the body properly, which increases the possibility of errors in the report. In many cases, it may be difficult to accurately diagnose the disease and the doctor may have to advise re-testing. Therefore, this gel is necessary not only for convenience, but also to ensure the accuracy of the test.
Is ultrasound gel safe?
The special gel used in ultrasound is mainly prepared from safe ingredients like water and propylene glycol. It is non-toxic i.e. free from toxic substances and is generally considered safe for all skin types. After the test is completed, it can be easily cleaned with a tissue or cloth. According to experts, the possibility of causing allergy is very less. This is why this special gel is used during ultrasound examinations all over the world.