Have you recently sustained an injury, or are you just feeling a bit off? While you can see a doctor, and they can try to diagnose you based on your symptoms, one way to know exactly what’s going on in your body is to go for a magnetic resonance imaging scan, otherwise known as an MRI.
Going for an MRI scan can seem quite intimidating; a lot of the fear stems from not knowing, but the thought of having to be in that space for extended periods can be a claustrophobic person’s nightmare. However, it’s better to know what the issue is and face it head-on than to live in denial. So, to help you musk up the courage to go for an MRI scan, here are six diagnostic reasons why you should go for one.
What is an MRI scan?
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans use strong magnetic fields to capture images of different areas of the body. These images can provide crucial insights into the cause of the symptoms an individual may be experiencing and aid doctors by providing them with the right treatment plan.
Diagnostic reasons to go for an MRI
An MRI scan is not the only means of finding out valuable information about the condition of a person’s body. Still, it is very thorough and comes with many diagnostic benefits compared to other methods. So, when you’re needing a diagnosis, here are six benefits of choosing an MRI scan to get your needed information:
1. MRIs are generally safe
At the top of our list of diagnostic reasons why you should go for an MRI in East Brunswick, NJ (or indeed elsewhere more relevant) is the safety aspect. It might look like it, but MRI scans do not use ionising radiation to produce medical images; instead, they use a magnetic field and radio waves. So, compared to X-rays and CT scans, an MRI scan is super safe under controlled conditions, performed by a highly trained medical professional.
However, patients with metals and certain medical devices inside their bodies will need to ensure their doctor is aware of this information as it could be dangerous.
2. It provides detailed images
As we’ve mentioned, MRI scans are incredibly thorough and provide highly detailed images of your body’s internal structures. This means anything from bones, muscles, and soft tissues to even tiny blood cells – an MRI scan picks it all up. These highly detailed images can provide doctors with help and insight that can help them identify and diagnose almost any issue in the body. MRI scans shine when it comes to evaluating certain conditions like multiple sclerosis, various cancers, and tumours and are great with injuries, too.
3. MRIs are non-invasive
There is a range of diagnostic tests that you could take to get to the bottom of your condition; however, unlike endoscopes and biopsies, an MRI scan is non-invasive. This means nothing needs to be inserted into your body, and the risk of complications and the need for preparation is reduced to almost nothing. All you have to do is lie down and let the machine do its job.
4. MRI scans are pain-free
In line with MRI scans being a non-invasive procedure, they are generally painless and more comfortable than most of your other diagnostic tests – like CT scans and ultrasounds.
5. It is super versatile
Other diagnostic tests like X-rays can only help you so much, but MRI scans are incredibly versatile as they can be used to hone in on and examine a range of different body parts. This includes everything from joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments to your spine and your vital organs like the kidneys and brain. Think of an MRI scan as the one-stop shop for almost all your diagnostic needs.
6. It helps monitor disease progression and treatment effectiveness
For those battling with certain diseases that can be progressive, like Alzheimer’s disease or different types of cancer, MRI scans can be useful in monitoring the progression of the disease or, better yet, the effectiveness of treatments. It’s for this reason that MRIs can be super helpful for planning how to treat certain diseases and conditions, as they will be able to give you a lot of valuable insight.
Are there any other good imaging tests?
As good as MRI scans can be, there are certain scenarios where it might not be the most suitable route to take to get a diagnosis – after all, it is quite a pricey procedure. However, there are many other tests that can give you an image of the inside of your body, including:
● Computerised tomography (CT) scans
● Ultrasounds
● X-rays
Final Thoughts
Whether you need a checkup to see what’s going on in your body or to monitor certain conditions, MRI scans can be incredibly helpful. So, if your doctor recommends it and you’re up for it, don’t delay and head to a centre like Mermaid Beach Radiology and get results using one of the most accurate, non-invasive and versatile diagnostic tests available.
