What to Expect During an MRI

Health Education
November 23, 2020
2 min read
What to Expect During an MRI

If your doctor has recommended that you get an MRI scan, you may be a bit worried. Any new procedure can make you feel a bit stressed since you don’t know exactly what is going to happen.  What’s an MRI, and what can you expect during the scan? You can relieve your fears by reading up on the subject. Here is everything you need to know about an MRI.

What Is an MRI Scan?

MRI stands for magnetic resonance imaging. The name comes from what an MRI does. It uses a magnetic field and radio waves to produce images of your internal organs. These 3D images can then be viewed from different angles.  Because an MRI scan uses magnets, you should let your doctor know about any metal present in your body before the procedure.  This includes things like prosthetic joints, a pacemaker, metal pins or screws, or even some darker tattoo inks that contain metal. MRIs should not be done on people who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

How Do You Prepare for an MRI?

You can continue to eat normally and take your normal medications before an MRI unless specifically instructed not to by your doctor. Before the scan, you will be asked to change into a hospital gown and remove anything that might mess with the MRI, like jewelry, hair pins, and glasses. Sometimes a contrast liquid is injected through an IV so that certain details are easier to see in the images produced by the MRI.

What Happens During an MRI?

The MRI machine looks like a giant tube that is open on both ends. During the scan, you laydown on a table that is wheeled into the tube. You won’t feel anything weird or painful during an MRI. You just lie there for anywhere from 15minutes to over an hour depending on what needs to be examined.  There is even a microphone so you can talk to the medical professional running the MRI machine. You may wear earplugs to block out the noise of the machine, and you can even listen to music if you would like. If you are claustrophobic, you may be given medication to make you less anxious during the MRI.

Why Might You Need an MRI?

So now you know that an MRI is not painful or worrisome, but what does an MRI have to do with your sickness or injury? There are many reasons a doctor might recommend this type of scan. It’s a noninvasive way to exam all types of internal organs, tissues, and bones.  This includes the brain, spinal cord, heart, blood vessels, liver, kidneys, spleen, pancreas, uterus, ovaries, prostate, bones, joints, and breasts. An MRI may be recommended to check for tumors or abnormalities in a certain part of the body. Patients who recently suffered a stroke or brain injury may have an MRI scan in order to determine how much damage has been done. Whether something has gone wrong or you are at risk for a disease, an MRI is a great way for a doctor to take a closer look without being intrusive.

MRI Scan Near Me

Has a doctor recommended you get an MRI?  BASS Medical Group can help. Their imaging center provides all types of scans, including MRIs.  Their new wide-bore MRI interactive experience was created to put people at ease, like those who have claustrophobia or young children. BASS Medical Group is committed to creating a comfortable environment for every patient. Call (925) 329-3710 or visit them online to learn more or to schedule an appointment today.