Can using ultrasound be damaging in any way?

Answer 1

Ultrasound does not emit any x-rays or radiation thus it is safe. According to the results of the researches,ultrasound is not hazardous.
A research on obstetric ultrasound concluded that frequent exposure to prenatal ultrasound does not have any long term effect to the child. Actually earlier studies reported few side effects of prenatal ultrasound (such as child cancer, delayed speech, brain damage,etc.) caused by ultrasound but follow up studies to verify earlier reports found the early results insignificant and were due to some faulty factors such as poor research tools.
Ultrasound used in other purposes such as imaging,diagnosing or guidance for some invasive procedures has the same characteristics as that one used for prenatal ultrasound, so the possible risks included remain unknown ifever there is any.
Till now, who knows if there is or no any damages it could result. As we must aware, of nothing in medical field is 100% certain - something might be very safe and good for now and later will be found to have undesirable effects. But in conclusion till this moment, the benefits from ultrasound outstands whatever possible risk it may give so if needed, have it done but avoid unnecessary ones. For the meantime, experts say that the greatest risks arise from the use of ultrasound by inadequately trained staff, often working in relative isolation and using poor equipment. So have an ultrasound in a place that most likely are licensed to do such - like licensed hospitals and clinics.

Answer 2

As a radiology technologist, I can help a bit with this question, but first I want to dispel a myth. Ultrasounds do not put out damaging radiation. Only point sources, such as X-Ray tubes, TV's, CT Scanners, and Flouroscopes emit radiation.

How an ultrasound works is that sound is projected into the body (Sort of like sonar through water,) and the sound that is reflected back from the object is detected by the detector array. I have seen literally hundred of ultrasounds being performed and have never heard a patient complain about any side effects, (other than the cold gel on their body, or the probe being pressed against their sides, or into some body orifices.)

It is theoritically possible, that if you turn the machine up to maximum, that you could cause internal organs to heat up (Since the sound waves compress tissue and cause a bit of heat with use,) but that has never happened to my knowledge.

Answer 3

All the answers so far seem to refer to properly administered and used ultrasound technology. From the scientific point of view ultrasound could be damaging, yes. They use ultrasound to smash kidney stones by focusing two or more beams onto the stone. Where only one beam passes through tissue, then there is no damage. Where the beams focus together then the sum is sufficient to break up the hard stone. Same is done with radiation beams to focus on an inoperable tumour. For things like pregnancy scans docs use only one beam and just enough power to "see" a signal back and hence no damage. As with many medicines and medical technologies, in the right hands it is a life saver in the wrong hands it could be a life taker. Many medicines are actually highly potent chemicals which are beneficial in the right doses at the right time. Overdose is a well recognised phrase.

Industrially ultrasound is used to break up hard deposits in pipes and vessels but this is a whole different level of power to medical applications.

And ultrasound is not radioactive at all. Whole different basis.

Trust me I am not a doctor but a patient.

Answer 4

As a mother who had to have 5 ultrasounds during her last pregnancy, I wondered this same thing. But my child seems to be just fine. She's a tough lil number anyway. You might want to ask your doctor. I know most doctors limit the amount of ultrasounds you can have. They are not cheap procedures.

Answer 5

A certified medical professional can safely use an ultrasound. There are now "4-D" ultrasounds, oftentimes appearing in malls, that are not medically certified. I would stay away from those and only use ultrasounds approved by your doctor.

Answer 6

Ultrasound is not dangerous in any way.

Ultrasound uses sound waves. These bounce of structures and provide us with images of structures within the body as well as if there is any free fluid laying around, such as in the case of car accident victims. ultrasound is performed on their abdomen to check for free fluid in the peritenium.

If sound waves were dangerous, it would be illegal to listen to music!

I Hope This Has Helped You

The Neurosurgeon

Answer 7

Physical therapists use short wave diatheramy and ultrasound for treatment. It would help your back muscles if they are in spasm but nothing is going to reach your disc. I recommend you get a referral to see a physical medicine and rehabilitation doctor. These doctors specialize in treatment of back pain. Chiropractors are not doctors. Disc protrusions usually get better without surgery. An epidural could speed up recovery, otherwise take medications for pain control and do physical therapy. Also, not all physical therapists are equal, there are different methods of treatment, especially for back pain.

Answer 8

Yes, they can be safe depending who doing it. Trying asking your OBGYN whether the person doing the ultrasound is ok in her position.

Answer 9

It has side effects because this method use sonar waves whish is radioactive. A frequent ultrasound to the baby which is conceived may increase their risks to have frequent flu and less immune to diseases.

I hope it helps! : )

Answer 10

Not that I'm Aware Of?