10 Things You Need to Know When You Get An MRI

y">There are some open MRI machines and these are
Do you know what an MRI is? Have you ever had anespecially useful for people who are claustrophobic. I
MRI? Did you become claustrophobic while you werewas just recently told by an MRI technician, although
in the MRI Machine? Do you leave the MRI with apeople prefer the open MRI machines, they are not as
headache? If you have answered yes or no to any ofaccurate in the testing results as the enclosed MRI
these questions, read on.machine. In either machine the top and bottom are not
WHAT IS A MRI?enclosed.
A Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is high quality(5) NOISES:
images of the inside of your body. This is achieved byWhen you are placed in a MRI machine you will hear a
using a high magnetic field and radio waves. This testvariety of noises. I always relate these noises to men
will determine your diagnosis. A report will be dictatedbreaking up cement with those very noisy drills. These
by the radiologist and sent to your ordering physician.noises although very annoying to you, are very
WHAT IS IT USED FOR?necessary for achieving a reading on the MRI scan.
An MRI is used by your medical physician to receive a(6) LYING IN THE MACHINE:
comprehensive medical report dictated by theWhile you are in the machine and being scanned you
Radiologist. In this way, your physician can make anneed to lay very still. You can not move. If you move
accurate medical diagnosis.you will ruin the image or picture the technician is taking
DOES IT HURT?and it will have to be repeated.
No this does will not hurt you. It is a non-invasive test.(7) HOW TO STAY CALM AND QUIET IN THE MRI
The only thing it will do is annoy you with the loud noiseMACHINE:a) Keep your eyes tightly closed and never
it makes through out the test.open them while you are inside the canister.
(1) QUESTIONS YOU ARE ASKED BEFORE YOU(b) Use earphones with your favorite radio station in
RECEIVE AN MRI:your ears. Sometimes, this is not possible, you only get
(a) Do you have any tattoos on your body?ear plugs which are useless.
(b) Do you have any metal in your body?(8) CLAUSTROPHOBIC:
(c) How much do you weigh?If you are really claustrophobic you need to inform
(2) METAL FREE:your ordering doctor about this fact. A sedative will be
(a) Lock your valuables in a locker. Especially, anyarranged for you to take before you reach the MRI
credit cards or any card with a magnetic strip.Center. Always bring someone with you to drive and
(b) You can not take any metal object into the MRImake sure you get home safely if you have taken a
room at all for you safety.drug.
(c) You absolutely can not wear anything with metal(9) EATING:
on it. So if you are wearing jeans with a zipper, snapMost of the time you may be able to eat before and
or button, they will have to be removed. A womanMRI but there are times when you will not be allowed.
cannot wear a bra if it contains any metal. The safestYou will be instructed if you need to be NPO at the
garment to wear is a hospital gown.time of your MRI.
(d) Remove all your jewelry and l leave it in your(10) CONTRAST AGENT, DYE:
locker.The dye which is used is called gadolinium. It has less
(3) THE MRI:of a reaction than any other dye used for other
When you are actually ready to have the MRI you willtesting. It is used to receive a clearer image of the
be asked to lie down in a long cylinder. Depending onarea which is being scanned.
the part of the body to be scanned - you might orThank you for reading my article. Please feel free to
might not have your head inside the cylinder.read any of my numerous articles on various subjects.
(4) CLOSED AND OPEN MRI MACHINES: