Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a well-liked medical know-how used to diagnose ailments and monitor the effectiveness of medical remedy.
Docs use MRI scans to assist precisely picture elements of the physique to find out the foundation explanation for signs.
This text will define what folks with diabetes must 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 photographs of the physique.
The MRI machine itself appears to be like 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 sort of MRI is an open MRI. Reasonably 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 take a look at.
More often than not, getting an MRI will final half-hour to 1 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 photographs play an necessary position in serving to medical professionals to diagnose a illness or damage. They will additionally assist monitor the progress of a course of remedy.
A health care provider could order an MRI to diagnose a mess of points, together with:
- Issues with circulation and the vascular system
- Digestive tract points which can be tough 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 frequent kinds of medical imaging.
MRI scans use robust magnetic fields to develop photographs of areas contained in the physique.
CT scans are a sequence of X-ray footage taken in fast succession. These footage are mixed to create cross-sectional photographs.
Typically 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 sooner than an MRI and are sometimes higher at resolving points with the lungs and bones.
Are you able to get an MRI in case you have diabetes?
Individuals with diabetes can get an MRI.
Let your medical group know that you’ve diabetes in case there are particular issues or precautions wanted.
What ought to folks with diabetes know earlier than an MRI?
Communication is vital! Ask your medical supplier if there’s something particular it is advisable 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 also be an necessary a part of making ready for an MRI.
Some folks with diabetes discover it simpler to have an MRI within the morning. Often, blood sugar ranges are usually increased because of the Daybreak Phenomenon.
Schedule your MRI throughout a time of day when your blood sugar tends to be increased than common. This can be a good solution to keep away from needing to cease the scan to deal with a low throughout an MRI.
For a similar motive, it’s additionally finest to keep away from scheduling an MRI over a mealtime for those who can assist it.
You will have to take away any insulin pump or steady glucose monitor (CGM) you’re carrying.
Most insulin pumps and CGMs are thought of “MRI unsafe” as a result of they comprise metals. The highly effective magnets within the MRI machine can injury or destroy these units.
If you happen to 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—this consists of steel medical alert bracelets.
An MRI tech might be available to educate you on respiratory and assist you to keep nonetheless. It’s necessary to allow them to know for those who really feel like your blood sugar ranges are getting severely out of vary.
Don’t be afraid to talk up in case your blood sugar may be very excessive or low. If it is advisable to, it’s best to have the ability to exit the MRI room to get a snack or take a correction dose of insulin.
Do I must quick earlier than an MRI?
Your physician or radiologist will let you know if it is advisable to quick in your MRI. It’s a good suggestion to ask to make sure.
Typically, 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 frequent.
Whether or not or not a quick might be wanted usually is dependent upon the a part of your physique being imaged.
It’s more likely {that a} fasting MRI might be ordered in case you are having a scan of your gastrointestinal tract or adjoining organs within the stomach.
Moreover, many individuals choose to not drink too many liquids earlier than an MRI to keep away from needing to go to the lavatory throughout the scan.
Can an MRI affect blood sugar?
Whereas at the very least one examine has linked receiving an MRI to a slight drop in common blood glucose, there are at the moment no medical machine 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 diabetes.
It’s additionally good to know your individual blood sugar ranges earlier than your MRI begins.
Conclusion
An MRI scan performs an necessary 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.
Nevertheless, it’s necessary to inform your medical supplier and the individual performing the MRI that you’ve 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 be sure you’ve instructed your physician and the individual performing the MRI in case you have any medical tools like pumps or CGMs, as these will usually have to be eliminated.
It’s also a good suggestion to ask if it is advisable 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 understanding that getting an MRI is nothing to fret about in case you have diabetes!
