How long does it take to have an abdominal ultrasound examination on an empty stomach

Abdominal ultrasound examination usually requires fasting for 8-12 hours.

Abdominal ultrasound examination has clear requirements for fasting time, mainly involving the imaging quality of organs such as liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and spleen. Under fasting conditions, the gas in the gastrointestinal tract decreases, and the gallbladder filling reaches its optimal level, making it easier for ultrasound probes to capture organ structures clearly. The 8-12 hour fasting window period ensures complete emptying of gastric contents and avoids interference of food residues with sound wave transmission. High fat diet should be avoided 24 hours before the examination to prevent excessive concentration of bile from affecting gallbladder imaging. If the fasting time is less than 8 hours, there may be gastrointestinal bloating or gallbladder contraction, resulting in unclear display of parts such as the tail of the pancreas and the lower segment of the common bile duct. On the morning of the examination, fasting and water restriction are required, but chronic disease patients can take medication with a small amount of water. Some institutions may adjust the fasting duration according to the examination items. For example, simple liver and gallbladder ultrasound can shorten it to 6 hours, while including pancreatic examination, it is necessary to strictly maintain a fasting period of 12 hours. After checking, it is recommended to bring snacks to replenish energy in a timely manner, and prioritize easily digestible carbohydrates such as bread and cookies. Long term fasting may cause hypoglycemia, and diabetes patients need to communicate with doctors in advance to adjust the medication time. Daily diet can increase dietary fiber intake and reduce the intake of gas producing foods such as beans and carbonated drinks, which can help improve the accuracy of future examinations.