If you have been told that you require an MRI, you need to make sure that you prepare appropriately. Unlike an x-ray, an MRI can take a long time to complete. Furthermore, it also uses a powerful magnet to generate its image. Therefore, you need to make sure you follow the instructions of your doctor closely. There are several common questions people have about an MRI. A few examples include:
Can You Wear Deodorant for an MRI?
No. You should try to refrain from wearing any cosmetic products when you show up for your MRI. This includes deodorant, makeup, and other antiperspirants. Even though you are probably used to putting on deodorant when you get up in the morning as a force of habit, you do need to refrain from this before your MRI.
The reason why you need to refrain from wearing deodorant is that there are trace amounts of metal in a lot of deodorant and antiperspirant products. Remember that you cannot have any metal anywhere near (or in) your body if you have an MRI coming up because the magnet will attract the metal, pulling it away from your body while messing up the image.
If the deodorant you wear has metal in it, it can ruin the image. Therefore, it is better to refrain from wearing any deodorant at all. If you have any questions or concerns about this, you should reach out to your doctor before the procedure.
Can You Sleep During an MRI?
There are lots of people who have trouble dealing with the noise that an MRI machine produces. On the other hand, some people quickly get used to it. They might even fall asleep! Are you allowed to fall asleep during an MRI scan? The answer is that it depends.
For some MRI scans, you may be asked to follow certain commands. For example, the technician may ask you to change positions, hold your breath, or answer questions during the scan. If that is the case, you cannot fall asleep during the MRI exam. Otherwise, you will have a hard time following these commands.
If you are having an MRI scan that does not require you to follow commands, you may be allowed to fall asleep. You should clarify this with your radiologist before the procedure begins. 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.
Can You Eat Before an MRI?
For most MRIs, you should be allowed to eat before the scan. There are very specific types of MRI scans where you are not allowed to eat.
For example, if you are going to have a hard time sitting still for the MRI scan, the radiology team may have to give you a sedative. If that is the case, you may not be allowed to eat or drink prior to the exam because the anesthesiologist will not be able to give you the sedative or anesthesia safely. This is uncommon in adults; however, this is a more common issue in children. If children have to be sedated for the MRI scan, they cannot eat before the procedure.
There are certain situations where you may have to take a contrast agent in order to produce the right type of image. If that is the case, there are certain contrast agents that could prohibit you from eating or drinking before the exam. If you are having an MRI with contrast, you should speak to the radiologist about the prospect of eating or drinking prior to the MRI. That way, nothing will interfere with the contrast and your doctor will be able to get the image he or she requires.
Can You Cough During an MRI?
If you have to cough during an MRI scan, there may not be much you can do about this; however, for most types of radiology scans, you will be asked not to cough or move during the scan. If you feel like you are going to cough, particularly if you have a cold on the day of the MRI scan, you should let the radiology team know that this is a concern. They may be able to give you a medication that can help you.
In addition, some people have to cough when they end up in tight places. This is common among individuals who are claustrophobic. If this is a concern you have, you should bring this up with your radiologist before the scan. Again, they may be able to give you something that can help you.
If you have to cough during the MRI scan, then you have to cough. It is unlikely that a single cough is going to ruin the entire image series. On the other hand, this is something you should avoid
Questions About MRIs? Call Dr. Wagner!
If you have an MRI scan coming up, it is normal to have questions. You should make sure you have all of your questions answered before the day of the procedure. If you have other questions about your upcoming MRI scan, reach out to Dr. Wagner today! We are here to make sure we answer all of your questions before the procedure. That way, your doctor will get the information he or she needs from the MRI scan. You do not have to be embarrassed about asking questions about an MRI. It would be our honor to help you answer them. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you!