WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: What do I need to know about magnetic resonance imaging? Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a test that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to take pictures inside of your body. An MRI is used to see blood vessels, tissue, muscles, and bones. It can also show organs, such as your heart, lungs, or liver. An MRI can help your healthcare provider diagnose or treat a medical condition. It does not use radiation. How do I prepare for an MRI? Your healthcare provider will tell you what medicines to take or not take on the day of your MRI. He may give you medicine to help you feel calm and relaxed during the MRI. Tell your healthcare provider if you think you are pregnant. Tell him if you have any metal in your body, such as a pacemaker, implant, or aneurism clip. Tell your healthcare provider if you have a tattoo or wear a medicine patch. Remove any metal items like hair clips, jewelry, glasses, hearing aids, or dentures before you enter the MRI room. What will happen during an MRI? Your healthcare provider will ask you to lie on a table. He may inject contrast dye into an IV or ask you to swallow contrast dye. The dye helps the pictures show up more clearly. The table will be moved into an open space in the middle of the machine. You will need to lie still during the MRI. It is normal to hear knocking, thumping, or clicking noises from the machine. What are the risks of an MRI? An MRI may cause a metal object in your body to move out of place and cause serious injury, or stop working properly. The contrast dye may cause nausea, a headache, lightheadedness, or pain at the injection site. You could have an allergic reaction to the contrast dye. |