Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed pictures of organs and tissues inside the body. While non-invasive and generally painless, an MRI can cause anxiety or discomfort for many. Understanding the process and strategies to manage unease can contribute to a more comfortable and successful scan. This guide offers practical advice to help you navigate your MRI appointment with greater confidence.
Preparation Before Your Appointment
Careful preparation before your MRI appointment can significantly reduce apprehension. Discuss any concerns, such as claustrophobia, anxiety, or metal implants, with your doctor or the MRI facility staff beforehand. This allows them to make necessary arrangements or provide tailored guidance.
Choosing appropriate attire for your scan is important. Comfortable, loose-fitting clothing made from cotton or linen is recommended, as these materials are non-conductive and do not interfere with the MRI machine. Avoid clothing with metal components like zippers, buttons, snaps, or certain athletic wear that may contain metallic threads, as these can pose a safety risk or distort images. All jewelry, body piercings, and some cosmetics containing metallic particles should be removed before the scan.
Regarding food and drink, you can usually eat and drink as normal. However, for specific scans, such as those of the abdomen or pelvis, or if contrast agents are used, you may be asked to fast for a few hours prior. Arriving on time allows for a calm check-in process and any final preparations.
What to Expect During the Scan
Knowing what happens during an MRI can help demystify the experience. You will lie on a movable bed that slides into a large, tube-like machine. The machine is open at both ends, and depending on the scan, your head may or may not be fully inside the bore.
During the scan, the machine produces a variety of loud noises, including banging, knocking, clicking, whirring, and buzzing sounds. These sounds occur because the machine’s internal gradient coils rapidly switch electrical currents, causing them to vibrate within the strong magnetic field. While the procedure itself is painless, you might feel a slight warmth in the scanned area.
You will communicate with the technologist from another room via an intercom system, and you will be given a call button to signal if you need assistance. The duration of an MRI scan varies depending on the body part and examination complexity, usually lasting 15 to 90 minutes, with an average of 30 to 60 minutes. Maintaining stillness throughout the scan is important to ensure clear, high-quality images.
Strategies for Staying Calm
Employing specific coping mechanisms during the MRI can help manage discomfort or anxiety. Focusing on controlled breathing techniques, such as slow, deep breaths, can promote relaxation and help regulate your physiological response to stress. Visualization or guided imagery is effective; try imagining yourself in a calm, peaceful environment, focusing on sensory details of that imagined place. Engaging in mental exercises, such as counting or silently reciting something, can help distract your mind from the immediate surroundings.
Many MRI facilities offer the option to listen to music through headphones, which can help mask the machine’s loud noises and provide a soothing distraction. You can request a blanket or pillow for comfort, as the scanning room can sometimes be cool, and positioning aids can alleviate pressure points. Keeping the scan’s purpose in mind—obtaining diagnostic information—can provide a sense of purpose and help you focus on the positive outcome.
Addressing Specific Anxieties
Certain anxieties, such as claustrophobia and noise sensitivity, are common during MRI scans and have specific approaches for management. If you experience claustrophobia, discuss this with your doctor or the imaging technologist well in advance of your appointment. They may suggest options like open MRI machines, which have a wider, less enclosed design and can alleviate feelings of confinement. Using an eye mask or placing a washcloth over your eyes can help reduce the visual perception of being in an enclosed space. Some facilities may allow a friend or family member to be present in the room, provided they also adhere to safety protocols.
For noise sensitivity, the facility will provide earplugs or headphones to protect your hearing and reduce the impact of the loud operational sounds. These are designed to minimize the noise level, which can range from 65 to 130 decibels. If anxiety is severe and other coping strategies are insufficient, a doctor may prescribe a mild sedative, such as a benzodiazepine like lorazepam, diazepam, or alprazolam, to be taken before the scan. If you opt for sedative medication, arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure, as it is unsafe to operate a vehicle under its influence.