The Mayer Clinic in Fairbanks, AK, has been providing high-quality healthcare to area residents since 1992. Drs. John and Natalie Mayer provide a wide range of services, from regular checkups to intestinal health procedures and women’s health treatments.

Sometimes, in order to best treat their patients, the doctors at The Mayer Clinic will order an ultrasound. But what is that, and why would the doctor require you to get one?

Here, these women’s health experts will tell you everything you should know about ultrasounds:

• How Ultrasounds Work: An ultrasound is a common medical procedure by which technicians retrieve images of the inside of your body using sound waves. You’ll need to have gel placed on your skin, and then a small probe will travel across your skin’s surface in order to provide the image. 

• What They Are Used For: Doctors commonly use ultrasounds to address any potential women’s health issues that may occur in the female reproductive organs. Additionally, they are used to monitor the health of a baby during pregnancy. Ultrasounds may also be implemented to retrieve pictures of the liver, spleen, kidneys, pancreas, thyroid, scrotum, or gallbladder if you’re experiencing pain or swelling in any of these areas.
• Benefits vs. Risks: Ultrasounds are extremely useful for diagnosing women’s health and other internal medical issues. They provide doctors with the ability to see soft tissues, which do not show up clearly with x-ray imaging. 

If you’re searching for a women’s health professional or are simply in need of a regular medical checkup, you can schedule an appointment with The Mayer Clinic by calling (907) 457-5050. You can also find out more information about their wide range of services on the clinic’s website.