Collaborative post by another author. Being told you need any kind of medical test can leave you feeling worried and anxious. I know from experience that sometimes we end up more concerned just as concerned about the actual test as waiting for the results. If you've been booked in for an MRI scan, you probably have lots of questions, so I wanted to create this friendly guide to help put your mind at ease.

What Actually Is An MRI?

An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scanner is basically a large tube that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of inside your body. While the technology sounds complicated, the process itself is straightforward and completely painless. Think of it as a super-powered camera that can look inside your body to help doctors understand what's going on.  MRIs use extremely complicated technology and advanced software from companies like CircleCVI to produce images. The detail is such that doctors can use MRIs to diagnose a wide range of different conditions and diseases.

An MRI scan is a relatively new procedure in the world of healthcare. As a result, it can be misunderstood and there are a lot of misconceptions surrounding the process and the technology. If you have been booked in for an MRI, you will no doubt be full of questions. This post aims to demystify the process and let you know what to expect from an MRI. 

Before Your Scan: The Important Bits

Before your scan, you'll need to fill out a questionnaire to ensure your safety. This is really important because MRI scanners use powerful magnets, so they need to know about any metal in or on your body. This includes things like pacemakers, metal plates or pins from surgery, any metal fragments from accidents or injuries, and even some types of dental work.

When it comes to what to wear, I'd recommend comfortable clothes without any metal parts - no underwired bras, zips, or metal buttons. Think comfy leggings and a t-shirt. However, don't worry too much if you forget, as they'll provide you with a hospital gown if needed.

During The Scan: What Actually Happens

The actual scanning process is quite straightforward. You'll lie down on a padded table that slides into the scanner. The radiographer will make sure you're comfortable and will give you everything you need. This will normally include: a pillow for your head, a blanket if you want one and an emergency button to press if you need to stop. They'll also give you ear defenders or headphones as the scanner can be quite noisy.

The scan usually takes between 15 to 40 minutes depending on which part of your body is being scanned. You'll need to lie still, but you can breathe normally. Some scanners even let you listen to music during the scan! The radiographer will talk to you through an intercom to let you know what's happening throughout the process. Sometimes they might need to inject a special dye (contrast agent with a substance known as gadolinium) to help get clearer images. This is completely normal and usually nothing to worry about. They'll always explain this beforehand if it's needed.