To feel comfortable during an MRI, focus on your breathing, listen to music or podcasts with provided headphones, and communicate with the technologist who can offer reassurance or play calming scenes. Mentally, distract yourself by imagining a peaceful place, or ask about options like open MRI machines, sedation if needed, or being positioned feet-first if possible.
6 Tips for Feeling Comfortable During Your MRI
The MRI scan uses magnetic and radio waves, meaning that there is no exposure to X-rays or any other damaging forms of radiation. There are no known dangers or side effects connected to an MRI scan. The test is not painful; you cannot feel it. Since radiation is not used, the procedure can be repeated without problems.
For some patients - for example those with restricted mobility, who are overweight, or who suffer from claustrophobia - this can be difficult or uncomfortable. Open MRI provides a stress-free, relaxing alternative compared to the traditional MRI scanner.
Many MRI procedures don't require your head to go inside the machine at all, but if you need a head or upper spine MRI, you'll appreciate the fact our machine provides a full 12 inches of clearance between your face and the wall – relieving stress for our patients with claustrophobia.
If you are having a MRI appointment, your doctor may prescribe an oral medication for you to take to minimize your anxiety. During your exam, our technologist will see you and be in contact with you at all times. Speakers inside the scanner will enable the technologist to communicate with you and hear what you say.
Additional coping mechanisms include listening to music or watching a video or movie, closing or covering the eyes, and holding a panic button. The open MRI is a machine that is open on the sides rather than a tube closed at one end, so it does not fully surround the patient.
Increased movement can result in the images being blurred or of poorer quality but being in an enclosed space can cause some people to become stressed, and in some more extreme cases, cause panic attacks.
At certain times during the scan you will be able to listen to music and close your eyes, while other times we need to turn the music off and have you open your eyes. You may also be given a box with buttons before entering the MRI.
An MRI scanner is a short cylinder that's open at both ends. You'll lie on a flat motorised bed that moves inside the scanner. In some cases, a frame may be placed over the body part being scanned, like the head or chest. This frame contains receivers that pick up the signals sent out by your body during the scan.
Your questions are important. Call your doctor or health care provider if you have questions or concerns. We will ask you to hold very still as each picture is taken. Please keep your mouth and head as still as possible, since even swallowing can blur the pictures.
Thus, claustrophobia preventing MR imaging is a common problem. Between 1% and 15% of all patients scheduled for MR imaging suffer from claustrophobia and cannot be imaged, or they require sedation to complete the scan (mean: 2.3%; 95% confidence interval: 2.0% to 2.5%) [3].
So, for imaging areas such as the knee, ankle and foot, you go in feet first and most people will have their head outside of a traditional closed scanner. For areas being imaged such as the head, neck, breast and abdominal area, you go in head first.
Although you may believe that taking deep breaths will help, this will actually make it even worse. Instead, take slow breaths. Having a support system may also help you get through your exam. In most cases, a family member or friend may enter the MRI room with you and stay with you throughout your exam.
How to Overcome Claustrophobia in a Confined Space
Tips for Staying Calm and Managing Claustrophobia During an MRI
It is very important to remain still during your MRI scan as any movement can cause blurring on the images. If you cough during the scan and the images are not clear, we may need to repeat the scan. We will give you a call bell so if you are going to cough a lot then you can press that and we will pause the scan.
Ultimately, if you fall asleep in an MRI machine and the technician is trying to give you commands, they may pause the scan and wake you up. Clarify with your radiologist if you are wondering whether you are allowed to fall asleep.
If you suffer from claustrophobia (fear of confined spaces), talk to your doctor when your MRI is ordered so you come to the scan with some type of sedation, such as Xanax or Diazepam (Valium).
Here are some ideas for what to do during your MRI:
Schizophrenia: MRI can show changes in brain volume and the structure of particular brain regions like hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Bipolar Disorder: Structural MRIs can help detect subtle abnormalities in brain regions involved in mood regulation.
If you are claustrophobic and anxious about getting an MRI, you are not alone. Claustrophobia affects about 12.5% of the population, but getting an MRI can pose significant issues for more than 9% since MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans involve inserting the patient into a large magnetic tube.
Brain scan requires helmet-like coil
nd the top half is snapped in place over your face. If you are getting a scan in an Upright MRI, the coil slips down over your head like a football helmet. In both cases, there are openings that allow you to see out.
But MR use is constrained by the need for patients to suspend breathing during the scan to minimize motion artifacts in the images.