Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a well-liked medical know-how used to diagnose ailments and monitor the effectiveness of medical remedy.
Medical doctors use MRI scans to assist precisely picture components of the physique to find out the foundation explanation for signs.
This text will define what folks with diabetes have to know earlier than getting an MRI.
What’s an MRI?
MRI scanners are machines that use highly effective magnets, radio waves, and computer systems to generate detailed pictures of the physique.
The MRI machine itself seems like a big tube or doughnut with each ends open. A bed-like platform for the affected person slides out and in of the open house within the center.
One other kind of MRI is an open MRI. Slightly than a tube for the affected person, there’s a wider opening, which some folks discover much less confining or claustrophobic.
A diagnostic radiologist will usually learn the outcomes. The radiologist will then relay the knowledge from the scan to the medical supplier who first ordered the check.
More often than not, getting an MRI will final half-hour to at least one hour. The quickest scans are about quarter-hour, whereas the longest scans are about 90 minutes.
Why would somebody want an MRI?
Getting an MRI is protected. It doesn’t expose you to ionizing radiation or to X-rays.
MRI pictures play an vital position in serving to medical professionals to diagnose a illness or damage. They’ll additionally assist monitor the progress of a course of remedy.
A physician might order an MRI to diagnose a mess of points, together with:
- Issues with circulation and the vascular system
- Digestive tract points which can be troublesome to diagnose
- Coronary heart or lung points
- Points with the organs within the stomach
- Tumors or plenty
- Bone circumstances, spinal points, and sports activities accidents
- Mind abnormalities
What’s the distinction between an MRI and a CT scan?
MRI scans and computerized tomography (CT) scans are two widespread kinds of medical imaging.
MRI scans use robust magnetic fields to develop pictures of areas contained in the physique.
CT scans are a sequence of X-ray photos taken in fast succession. These photos are mixed to create cross-sectional pictures.
Usually talking, an MRI offers higher decision and distinction when imaging smooth tissues, together with the mind and a few of the organs within the stomach.
CT scans are a lot quicker than an MRI and are sometimes higher at resolving points with the lungs and bones.
Are you able to get an MRI when you have diabetes?
Individuals with diabetes can get an MRI.
Let your medical staff know that you’ve got diabetes in case there are particular issues or precautions wanted.
What ought to folks with diabetes know earlier than an MRI?
Communication is essential! Ask your medical supplier if there’s something particular it’s good to do to organize due to your diabetes. You also needs to ask the radiologist or MRI tech questions earlier than the scan begins.
Managing your blood sugar can be an vital a part of making ready for an MRI.
Some folks with diabetes discover it simpler to have an MRI within the morning. Normally, blood sugar ranges are usually greater because of the Daybreak Phenomenon.
Schedule your MRI throughout a time of day when your blood sugar tends to be greater than common. This can be a good method to keep away from needing to cease the scan to deal with a low throughout an MRI.
For a similar cause, it’s additionally finest to keep away from scheduling an MRI over a mealtime in case you will help it.
You will want to take away any insulin pump or steady glucose monitor (CGM) you’re carrying.
Most insulin pumps and CGMs are thought-about “MRI unsafe” as a result of they include metals. The highly effective magnets within the MRI machine can harm or destroy these gadgets.
For those who use an implantable CGM just like the Eversense, additionally you should definitely inform your MRI tech and medical supplier. It’s possible the implant will have to be eliminated earlier than a scan.
Additionally, you will be requested to take away any electronics or steel that you’ve got—this contains steel medical alert bracelets.
An MRI tech might be readily available to teach you on respiratory and aid you keep nonetheless. It’s vital to allow them to know in case you really feel like your blood sugar ranges are getting critically out of vary.
Don’t be afraid to talk up in case your blood sugar may be very excessive or low. If it’s good to, you need to be capable to exit the MRI room to get a snack or take a correction dose of insulin.
Do I have to quick earlier than an MRI?
Your physician or radiologist will inform you if it’s good to quick to your MRI. It’s a good suggestion to ask to make sure.
Usually, you’ll not be requested to quick for a very long time earlier than an MRI. A brief quick between two and 4 hours earlier than a scan is a little more widespread.
Whether or not or not a quick might be wanted typically is dependent upon the a part of your physique being imaged.
It’s more likely {that a} fasting MRI might be ordered if you’re having a scan of your gastrointestinal tract or adjoining organs within the stomach.
Moreover, many individuals desire to not drink too many liquids earlier than an MRI to keep away from needing to go to the toilet in the course of the scan.
Can an MRI affect blood sugar?
Whereas no less than one research has linked receiving an MRI to a slight drop in common blood glucose, there are at present no medical system warnings that relate to hypoglycemia.
There may be additionally no proof that receiving an MRI will make your blood sugars excessive.
Regardless of this, it’s all the time a good suggestion to make sure the individual performing your MRI is aware of that you’ve got diabetes.
It’s additionally good to know your personal blood sugar ranges earlier than your MRI begins.
Conclusion
An MRI scan performs an vital position in serving to medical suppliers to diagnose ailments and accidents, in addition to monitor the progress of a course of remedy.
MRI scans are very protected, together with for folks with diabetes.
Nonetheless, it’s vital to inform your medical supplier and the individual performing the MRI that you’ve got diabetes in order that they’re conscious of any particular issues.
In case your MRI is pre-scheduled, it’s additionally a good suggestion to consider what time of day to get an MRI to dodge lows or highs you routinely expertise.
Just remember to’ve instructed your physician and the individual performing the MRI when you have any medical gear like pumps or CGMs, as these will typically have to be eliminated.
It is usually a good suggestion to ask if it’s good to quick or change something about your meals or water consumption on the day of your MRI.
Hopefully, with the following pointers, you’ll really feel higher realizing that getting an MRI is nothing to fret about when you have diabetes!
