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Testing, Testing 123: Phlebotomy Basics

When my mother underwent chemotherapy, we spent a lot of time visiting the phlebotomy lab for blood testing. I was always impressed by how easily the phlebotomist was able to find and puncture a vein to draw blood on the first try. I knew there had to be a method to it, and was astounded by how effortless and painless they made the process. It led me to research a lot about blood tests, from drawing to the actual screening. I've created this site to share what I've learned in the hopes of teaching others. The more you understand, the more control you can have over your own health care.

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Testing, Testing 123: Phlebotomy Basics

The Importance Of Agreeing To Prompt Professional Ultrasound Scans

by Francisco Arnold

When you experience unusual symptoms, you may go to the doctor to find out what is wrong with you. Your doctor, at first glance, may be unable to tell what condition you're suffering from. He or she may need to order more in-depth tests to discover what, if anything, might be wrong inside of your body.

Along with having blood drawn, you also may undergo an ultrasound on the affected part of your body. Ultrasound scans completed at an imaging center, such as Hudson Valley Imaging, can reveal quickly and accurately what is causing your symptoms so the doctor knows how best to treat you for it.

Relatively Pain-free

If you have never before had ultrasound scans performed on you, you may hesitate out of fear they will be painful. However, most ultrasound scans do not cause any pain. You might, at most, feel the pressure of the handheld instrument the technician uses to capture images of the inside of your body.

The pressure might cause minor discomfort if you suffer from a kidney stone, pulled muscle, or similar illness or injury. However, you typically do not need pain medication to manage the sensation, and it may quickly go away once the ultrasound is finished.

Quick

Further, most ultrasound scans only take a few minutes to complete. You may only be in the room where ultrasound scans are performed for a matter of minutes. You avoid having to free up large chunks of time in your busy schedule to undergo one.

Even more, your doctor can get the results of ultrasound scans quickly so he or she can find out what is causing your symptoms. You may be able to start treatment for whatever is wrong with you by the end of the day. You do not have to wait for several days before the scans are read and your doctor tells you what your diagnosis is.

Accurate

Finally, ultrasound scans provide accurate images of what the inside of your body looks like. Your doctor may have no reason to second guess what he or she is seeing. Your doctor can trust the images to reveal accurate depictions of your organs and major body structures so he or she can determine your condition and formulate the best plan to treat you.

Ultrasound scans can be an important part of your medical care. They are relatively pain-free to undergo and only take a matter of minutes out of your busy schedule. They can also provide accurate images of what is going on inside of your body.

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