There is no one who enjoys having an MRI. The news that our doctors have advised us to have an MRI is unsettling for a lot of us. As we anticipate what’s about to happen, our palms start to perspire, our hands may start to quiver, and our minds start to race with fear.
You may have felt anything similar to this if your doctor has advised you to undergo an MRI scan near me. It’s important to understand that this is a common reaction and that you are not alone in experiencing it. It’s also critical to understand that, despite what you might think, the actual scan itself is much less terrifying than you might think. At the same time, the anticipation of the scan can be unsettling. The procedure is completely painless and calls for you to remain still for some time.
Telling yourself not to get anxious is one thing, of course. Doing it is a different story. To give you the self-assurance, you need to be as uneasy as possible when you go into your MRI. By outlining what to expect, we hope to help you become ready. We’ll guide you through the steps of preparing for an MRI, explaining what to expect during the procedure and what to avoid doing before, during, and after. With this information at your disposal, you’ll be considerably better equipped to approach this MRI with assurance.
What is an MRI?
The majority of us will only ever hear the abbreviation “MRI,” but the full name provides a lot more information about what to expect. Magnetic resonance imaging is referred to as an MRI scan near me. As the name implies, this test takes an internal body scan using radio waves and strong magnets, which is then sent to a computer for examination by medical professionals. Without requiring an intrusive treatment, these scans provide vital information about potential conditions in many sections of your body.
If your doctor is trying to diagnose you and you have been having symptoms, you may need to have an MRI. They’ll need to see thorough pictures of your insides to help diagnose the issue. With this information, they can then determine what might be the issue. Additionally, an MRI scan near me may be used by doctors to assess the effectiveness of treatment and the state of your body’s recovery if you are already receiving care for a disease or injury.
Preparation Before MRI
1. Inform Your Physician Should You Be Claustrophobic
You will be lying in a machine that resembles an enclosed tube for the length of the MRI. You might spend as much as an hour in there, though the exact amount of time will depend on you. If you’ve ever had claustrophobia, this could make you quite anxious. Talk to your doctor in advance about your fears and any past claustrophobia you may have in order to better handle the procedure. To assist you remain calm during the MRI, they might be able to prescribe you a drug to take before the operation.
2. Don’t Bring Jewelry with You.
One of the most important things not to do before an MRI scan near me is to wear metal. The reason the MRI techs urge you to take off any jewellery or other metal objects from your person before you enter the machine is that an MRI is basically a huge magnet. If you’re wearing cheap clothing, this might not be a big deal. It could be better to leave these pricey, difficult-to-replace jewellery items at home if doing so requires taking them off. Even though there’s little chance they’ll be harmed during your scan, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
3. Tell Your Doctor the Truth.
There may be circumstances where changing the MRI process is necessary. Since the scan is essentially a huge magnet, any metal implants anywhere in the body may be problematic. Among the particular issues to be mindful of are:
- A history of renal issues
- A history of diabetes
- Being pregnant
- A pacemaker
- An insulin pump or other implanted medication infusion device
- Previous gunshot or shrapnel wounds
- Cochlear implants
To ensure that the MRI is safe, your doctor will go through a long list of ailments like these. Being deceptive about any part of your health could cause issues with the scan, so it’s critical to be upfront and truthful with them. Probably the most important is a discussion of your medical history.
4. Avoid Getting Any More Piercings
You will need to take off any earrings or body piercings before your MRI scan near me. For piercings that have healed, that is not an issue; however, if a piercing is still relatively fresh and hasn’t healed, it may start to shut up during the MRI procedure. In the weeks preceding your MRI, refrain from obtaining any additional piercings to prevent losing your existing ones.
6. Avoid Interrupting Your Routine
It’s critical that you adhere to whatever modifications your doctor recommends making in order to prepare for your MRI scan near me. But in the days and weeks leading up to the scan, make an effort to keep a regular routine as you can if you don’t get any special instructions. Maintain your usual course of treatment for any drugs, and carry on with your regular activities. By continuing with your regular activities, you can guarantee that the scan is as accurate as possible and that any changes to your routine won’t provide inaccurate findings.
Conclusion
It’s normal to experience anxiety prior to an MRI. There’s no need to feel ashamed about it. To alleviate some of this anxiety, it is helpful to know what to anticipate on exam day. Although each person’s experience will vary slightly, the following general guidelines apply to what to anticipate when receiving an MRI.
