Is it possible to eat before an ultrasound of the abdominal cavity for adults and children

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

An abdominal ultrasound allows the doctor to find out in a couple of minutes what is happening with the internal organs. Many patients are interested in whether adults and children can eat before an abdominal ultrasound. How does eating before a meal affect the test results?

Can adults eat before an abdominal ultrasound

If the appointment is scheduled for the morning hours, then it is necessary not to eat in the evening and appear hungry for examination. However, it is not always possible for a specialist to make an appointment in the morning. For those who plan to undergo an abdominal ultrasound in the daytime or in the evening, experts advise adhering to these restrictions. Do not eat 3 hours before the appointment.

2-3 days before the examination, it is necessary to exclude foods that cause flatulence from the diet. Increased gas production in the intestine interferes with the work of a specialist and does not allow an accurate examination result to be obtained. These products include:

1. Dairy products.
2. Black bread and other baked goods that contain gluten.
3. Any kind of legumes.
4. Raw and stewed cabbage.
5. Grapes and plums.
6. Strong coffee.
7. Carbonated drinks.
8. Fat meat.
9. Sweets.
10. Hot herbs or spices.

What you can eat:

1. Buckwheat or oatmeal in the water.
2. Chicken breast or turkey without oil and spices.
3. Steamed lean fish.
4. Cheese.
5. Cottage cheese fat content from 0 to 2%.
6. Well-boiled eggs.

To obtain a more accurate examination result, the intestines should be as clean as possible. Therefore, for patients suffering from constipation, doctors recommend that a few hours before taking an intestinal lavage with an enema.

Is it possible for children to eat before an abdominal ultrasound

A child's body differs in many ways from an adult. Therefore, it is sometimes difficult for parents to understand what to do when preparing for an ultrasound scan. Experts recommend that babies, like adults, follow a diet a few days before admission.

It is selected individually depending on the age of the child:

1. Doctors advise parents of newborns to limit their baby's food intake. The child should not eat 2 hours before the appointment.
2. Experts recommend breastfed babies to be fed 3 hours before admission.
3. For babies up to one year old, the diet implies the exclusion of food 3, 5-4 hours before going to the doctor.
4. A child from 1 to 3 years old, 3 hours before the appointment, experts recommend not giving anything but water. And one hour before the examination, water consumption must also be limited.
5. Children from 3 years of age are advised to eat at least 3.5 hours in advance.

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For a child after 3 years of age, doctors advise 2 days before admission to follow a diet that excludes certain foods:

1. Bakery products.
2. Raw vegetables, berries and fruits.
3. Carbonated drinks.
4. Black tea.
5. Dairy products.
6. Chewing gum.
7. Any kind of sweets.
8. Packaged juices.
9. Fatty meats.
10. Nuts.

These products need to be replaced with others:

1. Low fat cottage cheese.
2. Porridge on the water.
3. Cheese.
4. Boiled eggs.

If a child is taking drugs that affect the gastrointestinal tract, then when preparing for an ultrasound of the abdominal cavity, it is necessary to exclude taking these medications 2 days before visiting a doctor. If your baby is suffering from irritable bowel syndrome or constipation, an enema can be given before taking.

Before going for an ultrasound, be sure to explain to your child that this procedure is painless.

Can I drink before an abdominal ultrasound

The presence of fluid in the abdomen interferes with the examination. Therefore, drinking before an ultrasound of the abdominal cavity is strictly prohibited. To obtain accurate results, fluid intake must be limited 1, 5 hours before the start of the session. In the hot season, abstinence can be reduced to 60 minutes, since in summer the body needs several times more water than during normal times.

You can drink water before an ultrasound scan only if you are scheduled for an examination of the bladder or genitals. In this case, the study is performed on a full bladder.

Outcomes

An abdominal ultrasound can be done at any medical center. Before going to your appointment, you need to remember the importance of adhering to your diet. Do not eat or drink less than 3 hours before taking. This will help to obtain a more accurate examination result.