How do you prep for a MRI?

No preparation is necessary for an MRI scan. You can eat and drink normally. Though some discomfort may occur from having to lay still, MRI is otherwise a painless procedure. A MRI scan typically takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes to perform.

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What should you not do before an MRI?

Since the MRI machines are magnets, it is best to not apply deodorants, antiperspirants, perfumes, or body lotions before the examination. These items contain metals that might interfere with the magnetic field inside the MRI machine and cause you to have distorted images and wrong results.

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Should you drink a lot of water before an MRI?

You should not eat or drink anything 4 hours prior to your exam time. You may take your medications with a small sip of water if needed. The day before your exam drink plenty of water so you are well hydrated. Being hydrated will ease the discomfort for those receiving contrast.

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How long does an MRI take?

How long does an MRI scan take? A single scan may take a few seconds or 3 to 8 minutes. You may be asked to hold your breath during short scans. The total scan lasts 15 to 90 minutes, depending on the size of the area being scanned and how many images are needed.

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Do you have to take your clothes off for an MRI?

It's important that patients remove all clothing prior to their MRI exam. We ask patients to remove: All outer clothing, including shoes. Bras or any undergarment that could have metal in it.

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MRI Preparation

32 related questions found

Do you wear a bra in an MRI?

Depending on which part of your body is being scanned, you may need to wear a hospital gown during the procedure. If you don't need to wear a gown, you should wear clothes without metal zips, fasteners, buttons, underwire (bras), belts or buckles.

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Can you open your eyes during MRI?

Keep your eyes closed or even wear a blindfold.

It's much easier in an open MRI it's wider than a standard scanner, so patients shouldn't feel any walls touching them.

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Do you get MRI results immediately?

Results. The radiologist may discuss initial results of the MRI with you right after the test. Complete results are usually ready for your doctor in 1 to 2 days. An MRI can sometimes find a problem in a tissue or organ even when the size and shape of the tissue or organ looks normal.

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Do you feel OK after an MRI?

You won't have pain from the magnetic field or radio waves used for the MRI test. But you may be tired or sore from lying in one position for a long time. If a contrast material is used, you may feel some coolness when it is put into your IV.

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Why can't I drink water before an MRI?

If You Have an Overactive Bladder

This feeling of urgency can make it harder to hold urine in. While you may still experience this urgency to a degree, not drinking for several hours before your procedure can make you less likely to experience incontinence during the scan.

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Should you shower before an MRI?

Unless you're told otherwise, you can shower and wash your hair the morning of your MRI. Don't use any hair products (such as hair spray or hair gel). Don't wear any metal objects. Remove all jewelry, including body piercings.

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Can I have coffee before an MRI?

You may have clear liquids only (jello, tea, fruit drinks without pulp, black coffee, water, etc.) for 6 hours before the exam.

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What is the liquid you drink for an MRI?

Before the exam you will be asked to drink approximately 1 liter (3 bottles) of a liquid called Volumen. This will help distend the bowel so it can be better visualized during the MRI. During the exam you will be given an injection of contrast fluid called gadolinium.

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Can I brush my teeth before an MRI?

You will not be able to have breakfast the morning of your surgery. You can brush your teeth in the morning, just be sure to spit the water out!

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Can you drive after an MRI?

“Patients can resume their normal activities immediately after the MRI scan,” Dr. Taouli says. (Unless you had any drugs for sedation or anxiety, in which case you may need someone to drive you home; be sure to ask your doctor about this beforehand.)

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What should I do the day before an MRI?

Reduce the stress of an MRI scan by following these steps
  • Know how an MRI works. ...
  • Make sure you are safe to get an MRI. ...
  • Pack the necessary documents the staff needs to check you in. ...
  • Eat normally and take medications normally. ...
  • Remove all metallic objects. ...
  • Dress comfortably in loose clothing with no metal.

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Can you fall asleep in an MRI?

Not intentionally. Many of our examinations require your cooperation and ability to follow commands to hold your breath to produce the images required to make a diagnosis. For those examinations, we will not allow you to fall asleep.

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How to pass time during MRI?

Counting numbers or listening to music: Counting slowly or listening to a soothing melody can help distract you and make the time pass quickly while you are in the scanner. Talk to the Technician: In most instances, you can speak to the technician throughout most of the procedure.

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What is the side effects of an MRI?

The magnetic fields that change with time create loud knocking noises which may harm hearing if adequate ear protection is not used. They may also cause peripheral muscle or nerve stimulation that may feel like a twitching sensation. The radiofrequency energy used during the MRI scan could lead to heating of the body.

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Will a radiologist tell you if something is wrong?

“They aren't doctors, and while they do know how to get around your anatomy, they aren't qualified to diagnose you.” That is true even though the tech likely knows the answer to your question. Imaging techs administer thousands of scans a year.

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Why do they inject dye for an MRI?

During the procedure, they'll inject the gadolinium-based dye into your arm intravenously. The contrast medium enhances the image quality and allows the radiologist more accuracy and confidence in their diagnosis.

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Does an MRI show nerve damage?

Does an MRI scan show nerve damage? A neurological examination can diagnose nerve damage, but an MRI scan can pinpoint it. It's crucial to get tested if symptoms worsen to avoid any permanent nerve damage.

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How close is the MRI to your face?

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.

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Can you wear socks in an MRI?

Be sure to wear clothing that does not have any metal in it (zippers, buttons, etc.). If your clothes do have metal in them, you'll be given a hospital gown to change into for your scan. Normally you can wear your underwear and socks during the scan, unless your radiologist is concerned about metal microfibers.

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Why can't you wear mascara in an MRI?

Some cosmetics contain metals that can interact with MRI magnets, so on the day of the MRI don't wear makeup or nail polish. Also, minimize hair products and forgo antiperspirants and sunscreens, which contain metals, just to be safe.

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