Traditional MRI machines can be terrifying for people with claustrophobia, that’s a fear of enclosed spaces, as you are placed into a strange tube or tunnel shaped machine and cut off from the outside world for a few minutes. For people with several forms of anxiety, these few minutes can seem like hours, and can escalate to the point of a true panic attack. High-field machines are completely different in design, but still provide the same high quality imagery as a traditional machine.
Compassion and Comfort
When you are in need of certain medical tests, anxiety can take over and prevent you from getting those tests. MRI scans are known for being the biggest fear of people with anxiety. Also called open MRI, the high field machines are the best option for people with a fear of the traditional tube. You are placed under the scanner, but the rest of the area around you is open and well lit, providing plenty of air flow and helping to ease your fears. Children undergoing a scan can usually have a parent nearby to speak to and even touch during the scanning process. This goes a very long way in easing all sorts of fears.
Benefits of having a scan
Allowing your doctor to closely look at the details of every part of your body can help make an early diagnosis of various diseases or confirm the presence of injuries. They do not use any form of radiation so are completely safe for pregnant women and their unborn child. During a scan your doctor will be able to see the function of your heart, the veins and muscles all over your body, as well as your joints. The sooner an injury or disease can be diagnosed, the sooner you can start on a treatment plan to regain your health and active lifestyle.
Getting back to health
Having a full body scan can help to pinpoint why you might have certain aches or pains that previous medical tests were unable to verify. It can help your doctor make a quick and final diagnosis on a disease, injury or illness you may be faced with in almost any part of your body. As a result, you can start on a treatment or therapy plan to get you back out enjoying your life sooner than you might have without the scan.
When faced with the fears of a traditional scan, consider instead the High-field MRI in Riverhead, NY., at North Fork Radiology.
