If you have Neuroquant imaging or MRI session scheduled and you have never undergone this procedure, you may be having many questions in your mind. What will happen during the procedure? Is it painful? Do I qualify for the procedure? What should I tell my doctor?
All these are common questions among patients especially if they will undergo MRI for the first time. Having this type of procedure performed can sometimes be frightening, particularly for first-timers. Here are important details about MRI that can help you get prepared for the procedure effectively.
First things first: Will it hurt?
No, not even a little bit.
Magnetic resonance imaging procedures are entirely non-invasive and designed to capture the images of your brain or interior parts of your body. No single incision is required. They use the power of strong (but controlled) magnetic fields along with sound waves to acquire different images of your body’s tissues and organs.
That means you will not experience pain. Sometimes, your doctor may use a contrast material. This material may be administered intravenously. Note that you might feel a cool sensation at the specific injection site as your doctor administers this contrast material.
The uncomfortable part
According to some patients who have undergone MRI, the most uncomfortable part is lying still during the procedure. Though frustrating, it is crucial that you lie still while being examined. Even the slightest movement can minimize the clarity of the magnetic resonance images.
For other patients, the hardest part is the ‘closed feeling’ associated with entering the MRI chamber to have the procedure performed. If you suffer claustrophobia and you think the fear associated with being in that closed chamber might interfere with the procedure, talk to your doctor. There is also the open MRI and this can keep you comfortable.
More MRI preparation tips
Before the start of your procedure, make sure you understand the following rules.
Remove all the accessories such as jewelry, hairpins, hearing aids, eyeglasses, dentures, wigs, and more. During the procedure, these metallic objects might interfere with the magnetic field and impact the quality of the images.
Talk to your doctor or the technician performing the procedure if you have any of the following;
- A prosthetic join – knee, hip, and more
- Intrauterine device (IUD)
- A heart pacemaker, artificial heart valve or defibrillator
- Permanent makeup and tattoos
- Screws, pins, any metal plates or surgical staples within your body
- You are pregnant or suspect you might be pregnant
- Shrapnel or a bullet in your body. Notify your doctor if you have ever done metal work before.
Feel free to talk to your physician or the technician in case you are claustrophobic. Note that patients undergo MRI while in an enclosed unit. This might cause fear and discomfort for patients who are claustrophobic. The physician may administer a sedative or advise you what you should do if you have this condition.
Always remember that it is important that be absolutely honest with your doctor when preparing for an MRI.
