Obstetrical Sonograms

Is There An Argument Against Immunization?

Nine months can seem like an eternity for expectant parents. With the bump steadily getting heavier the pregnancy passes in a blur of obstetric visits, sonograms, baby clothes, and all-consuming nervousness over the coming birth.

Then the day arrives and the child (or even children) is greeted by the world. What comes next? Well, next is the hard part, besides diapers and feeds every 4 hours, there is a ritual undertaken by the vast majority of parents in the western world. It is time to begin considering immunizations so that the child will be prepared to enter daycare, preschool and elementary school.

Normally a baby benefits from the antibodies aquired from the mother’s immune system. This aquired immunity last for up to 6 months but there comes a point when all parents have to consider having their baby immunized.

Most immunizations are delivered by injectionand health officials within the United States are searching for a means to alleviate the discomfort of vaccinations while still offering the benefits. One of the current issues brought forth by parents is the possible application of combining vaccines in order to limit the trauma associated with each office visit.

These visits to the doctors office begin at two months and continue on until around fourteen years of age. Each visit can entail up to three shots. Is it any wonder why some people become fearful of needles? These shots vary from measles to influenza and, as a result of the discomfort some babies feel, are heavily debated as to whether or not they are truly needed.

Vaccinations such as the ones listed above, were, earlier in this century, above reproach. Countless lives were saved from the ravages of diseases such as polio and small pox. Each person vaccinated cut down the likelihood of an outbreak of such lethal viruses until the chance of an epidemic was virtually nil.

Small pox has been eliminated from the world. Cuts resulting in a tetanus infection are no longer a significant worry and it is as a result of these positive outcomes of vaccination that have parents have begun debating whether or not the ordeal of vaccinations is really worth the potential benefits.

The alleged side effects to vacines range from paralysis to febrile seizures. While the chance for a negative reaction or side effect is very rare, they do occur. It is a subject of heavy debate for parents.

Though some diseases have been eliminated or reduced to a minimal threat others can and do strike with sometimes devastating effect.

Are vaccinations really worth this risk? Should vaccinations continue to be required by the Department of Education for entry into public schools or daycares?

This is a dilemma each parent must face on his or her own. There are no concrete facts to guide the decision, as the research is still ongoing. Perhaps one day, if the risks are eliminated or a less invasive way to administer the vaccines is developed, this issue will fade to the side and become merely a footnote in history.

Job Outlook – Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

by Mike Churchill

When it comes to accurate diagnosis of many conditions and diseases, diagnostic imaging leads the way. However, the equipment is only as good as the professionals who operate it and evaluate the results. That’s why qualified diagnostic medical sonographers are so highly valued. Through specialized health care training, sonographers play an essential role in helping patients achieve and maintain good health.

Diagnostic imaging has been in existence for decades. Virtually everyone is familiar with x-rays, which use radiation to create images. However, magnetic resonance imaging – using giant magnets and radio waves – is also popular. Due to its decreased risk and non-existent side effects, sonography is becoming the preferred choice of physicians for many types of diagnostics. With sound waves, sonographers can view images and capture them for later evaluation by doctors.

Health Care Training

Health education programs are available through a variety of sources, including specialized schools, the military and more. Depending on the institution chosen, you may study physics and instruments as well as abdominal, small parts and OB/GYN applications. You may also cover gray scale and color-flow Doppler sonography during the health education program.

Job Responsibilities

The vast majority of sonographers work at hospitals, though some are employed by individual medical practices. While most often associated with pregnancy, sonography is widely used for the diagnosis of non-pregnancy related conditions. As a sonographer, you might be responsible for:

Interacting With Patients – Many patients will be nervous about their procedure. The sound-conducting gel that must be used, the transducers, computer monitor and other equipment can be frightening to someone who has never experienced this type of diagnostic imaging. Explaining what to expect will be of great comfort to patients.

Preparing Patient Histories – Before the sonogram begins, you may be responsible for collecting pertinent information about the patient’s medical history. Because certain ailments and medicines might have a bearing on the results of the scan, they should be noted prior to a sonogram being performed.

Performing Sonograms – Knowing how to position the patient to get the best view, which ways the equipment responds best, when you have captured images that will be beneficial to the doctor and more all play a role in performing a good sonogram. If any of these are not at their optimum, it could affect the doctor’s diagnosis and, therefore, the patient’s treatment.

Preparing Reports – After taking measurements, calculating values and analyzing their findings, sonographers who have detailed health care training compile specific reports for physicians. Using the information from the sonographer, the doctor determines a final diagnosis.

In addition to attending a health education program in general sonography, you may also choose to continue your studies in order to specialize in a particular area. OB/GYN, abdominal sonography, neurosonography, breast sonography and others are common areas of concentration.

OB/GYN – Working exclusively with women, a sonographer at an OB/GYN office will conduct scans of the female reproductive system for diagnostic purposes. The sonographer may also examine fetuses and track the growth and development of babies.

Abdominal – Primarily dealing with the gallbladder, bile ducts, kidneys, liver, pancreas and spleen, a sonographer conducts procedures within the abdominal cavity.

Neurosonography – Using frequencies and beam shapes different than other sonographs, the neurosonographer focuses his/her attention on the nervous system, including the brain, scanning to detect strokes and other medical conditions.

Breast – With high-frequency tranducers made exclusively for breast tissue, the breast sonographer studies breast cancer, tumors and blood supplies, as well as helping with biopsies.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics website (http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos273.htm), “Employment of diagnostic medical sonographers is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2014 as the population grows and ages, increasing the demand for diagnostic imaging and therapeutic technology. In addition to job openings from growth, some job openings will arise from the need to replace sonographers who leave the occupation permanently.”

“Opportunities should be favorable because sonography is becoming an increasingly attractive alternative to radiologic procedures as patients seek safer treatment methods. Unlike most diagnostic imaging methods, sonography does not involve radiation, so harmful side effects and complications from repeated use are rarer for both the patient and the sonographer. Sonographic technology is expected to evolve rapidly and to spawn many new sonography procedures, such as 3D- and 4D-sonography for use in obstetric and ophthalmologic diagnosis.”

If you have a love for science and math, good communication and interpersonal skills, a career path in sonography might be for you. Take the time to further investigate this exciting vocation and see for yourself!