If your doctor has recommended an MRI, you must prepare for it by avoiding eating or drinking anything before the procedure. Also, you must take your medicines on time & get to the diagnostic center on time. This will ensure that there are no complications during the procedure.
MRI is a scan that produces very clear images of the bones & internal organs. It is useful in identifying infections, tumours, & certain bone diseases. MRI can also find soft tissue problems that are difficult to see on x-rays or CT scans, such as herniated discs.
Before the scan, you will be asked to remove any metal objects such as jewellery & wristwatches. You may be given a pair of headphones or earplugs to protect your ears as the MRI machine is quite noisy. You will be told to lie down on a couch which slides into the machine. You can talk to the radiography staff through an intercom if you are feeling uncomfortable or claustrophobic.
If you are claustrophobic, your doctor may give you a sedative to help you relax in the scanner. You must remember that you won’t be able to drive yourself home if this is the case, so it is a good idea to ask someone for a lift.
Some people may need to have contrast dye injected into a vein before their MRI scan. This will help the doctor to see the area more clearly & will help them understand the results better. This is done only if the scan is examining a specific area of the body.
