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The Risks And Benefits Of Routine MRI Scans

The Risks And Benefits Of Routine MRI ScansIf you’re eager to learn the risks and benefits of routine MRI scans so you can make the right choice for your health, here’s a helpful quick guide of information.

Nowadays, an MRI scan is already considered a standard medical procedure. This instrument uses a powerful magnetic field and radiofrequency energy to generate high-quality images of the tissues and organs inside the body. 

Following the device’s invention, both researchers and healthcare experts have continuously enhanced MRI techniques to aid in medical treatments, procedures, and studies. That is to say, the innovation of MRI transformed the field of medicine. 

In this article, you’ll learn more about MRI scans and the risks and benefits of the procedure. 

I chose to share this article because I’m the bestselling author of a health-boosting longevity book, Life is Long. In my book I give cutting edge information on how to protect your health.

I write a lot about living longer and how to protect your health. So I put together this helpful article because I wanted to share simple health information about MRI scans – so you’d know the benefits and dangers of them.

What Exactly Is An MRI?

As mentioned, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a medical screening technique that utilizes machine-generated radio waves and a magnetic field to produce explicit images of an individual’s bodily tissues and organs.

In particular, an MRI device is a comprehensive, tube-shaped magnet. When a patient goes inside the instrument, the electromagnetic field momentarily rearranges the water molecules inside the body. The radio waves then prompt the aligned particles to generate mild signals that forge the cross-sectional MRI photos. 

If you wish to discover if there’s an available MRI in your area, you may visit Ezra and other related sites. 

What are the Benefits of MRI Scans?

An MRI scan offers many advantages to people and may allow ways to improve your body. Below, you’ll see some of the benefits of MRI scans.

1. A Non-Invasive Procedure

An MRI is a non-invasive and painless imaging test that creates images of the internal structure in the human body, including the bones, organs, muscles, and blood vessels.

2. Doesn’t Require Radiation

Compared to CT scans, PET scans, and X-rays, the technique doesn’t expose the patient to radiation since it employs radio waves and electromagnetic fields. Hence, individuals who may be susceptible to radiation effects, like babies and pregnant women, can undergo them.  

3. Provide Detailed And Clear Images

MRI scanners generate images of the body by using a large magnet and radio waves. Moreover, the modality can offer information about the blood circulation in specific vessels and organs, thus identifying issues like blockages. 

In addition to that, the method helps determine medical malfunctions in the body’s cell structures, heart, and brain.    

4. Detect Diseases In Their Early Phase

Some medical tests may occasionally be inept when diagnosing specific conditions. On the one hand, MRI scans may detect abnormalities and illnesses even if they’re still in the beginning stages. Consequently, MRIs allow doctors to diagnose the disease early on and make sure the patient will obtain adequate medical treatment.  

Likewise, physicians may utilize MRI scans to assess treatment effectiveness for cases like heart disease, liver disorder, and tumors. The MRI image generated may show form or size transformation of the nodule, tumor, lesion, or body organ. Doctors will then check the previous image to the current one and see if there are any significant changes. 

The device effectively identifies water, fat, muscles, and other soft tissues, like cartilage and ligaments. It’s the basic diagnostic exam for brain and nervous system conditions, too, like spinal cord lesions and multiple sclerosis.  

5. Can Detect Cancer

Finally, MRI scans can distinguish tumors in the body by showing the variations in blood circulation and water content among tissues. Understand that malignant tumors may develop their own form of new blood vessels. Thus, providing them significant blood supply versus other tissues.

Healthcare providers may prescribe a contrast agent for some MRI procedures. As a result, it’ll reinforce the clarity of the MRI images, emphasize any dense blood vessels, and discover cancerous tumors. 

As you can see, there are plenty of benefits of this procedure. However, like many other medical tests, it also possesses some vulnerabilities. The following section will discuss the risks of MRI scans.

What are the Risks of MRI Scans?

While MRI scans are low-risk and medical experts have yet to document hazards from exposure to the instrument, the modality still requires a strong magnetic field and a radiofrequency wave, both of which bring with them some safety questions and more.  

  • Magnetic fields adjust after some time and may generate intense knocking sounds that can damage hearing if the patient isn’t wearing appropriate ear protection. Also, it may trigger nerve or peripheral muscle stimulation that may seem like a twitching discomfort. 
  • Likewise, the radio waves utilized in the procedure may result in body heating. The possibility of body heating is high, especially for a routine with a long duration.  
  • Some patients require the use of contrast agents, and these may lead to allergic reactions. 
  • Individuals entering the MRI area will require careful checking to ensure they don’t bring items that may turn into a projectile. The magnetic field may attract objects such as mobile phones or keys, causing harm to the doctor, patient, or staff if it becomes a projectile.
  • A few patients feel that the MRI space inside is distressingly small, and some may feel claustrophobic. Thus, people with this kind of concern may opt for an open MRI machine. Please note that not all modalities can conduct every examination. So, it’s best to ask your health provider about suitable options for you.  
  • For the device to generate high-quality images, people undergoing the scan must stay still all throughout the procedure. This scenario may be a challenge for toddlers, babies, and other individuals who may find it difficult to lay still. Medical professionals may need to anesthetize patients with this type of issue. Understand that anesthesia and sedation, though not particular only to MRI procedure, may produce side effects such as difficulty in breathing and low blood pressure. 

Final Thoughts on Risks and Benefit of MRI Scans

In essence, MRI scans utilize enormous magnets and radio waves to view the body’s framework and organs. Medical experts recommend MRI scans to help them determine various health conditions, such as those found in the heart, internal organs, brain, and spinal cord.  

While the process is painless, the duration of the procedure may take some time. Remember, before undergoing a scan, inform your healthcare provider if you have metal inside your body or if you’re pregnant.  

Keep in mind also to remove pieces of jewelry, hair accessories, eyeglasses, wallets, mobile phones, and other items that may contain metal. If you have issues with the procedure, discuss your concerns with your healthcare provider to ensure you’ll undergo a comfortable and worry-free MRI scan.  

Learn more about protecting your health

Read my health-boosting longevity book, Life is Long.

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