MRI Safety and Side effects

MRI Safety and Side effects

There are many precautions that must be taken before an MRI Scan. Magnetic objects must be removed from the test area before the MRI. The magnetic force can cause magnetic objects to fly, and potentially harm the patient.

In order to scan your body, you must lay down on your back for 30 – 40 minutes. Lying on your back for long periods will cause pain for most people.

During an MRI, patients must lie still in a small enclosed space. People will claustrophobia will have trouble going through an MRI.

The MRI Machine will get very loud during a test. Patients may suffer from Headaches, dizziness, sweating, Nausea and fatigue.

Some MRI exams require patients to have a gadolinium injection. This injection is used to make the images more clear. The most dangerous side effect of gadolinium is that a patient could develop Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis. This is a rare disease that causes excessive growth in the connective tissue known as fibrosis. This disease could affect skin, joints and organs. As of now, there are no known direct cures for NSF.

A powerful radio transmitter is needed during an MRI. This could heat the body, which could cause hyperthermia.

Pregnant women are not recommended to undergo an MRI test because scientists claim the electromagnetic radiation could cause defects to the unborn baby.

It is not always possible to fully view a patient’s medical history for surgical implants. Some implants contain iron, and can be moved by the magnetic field produced by the MRI, which will cause danger for the patient.