Many people are afraid of doctors and hospitals and with good reason. Going to a hospital for a medical procedure is often nerve-racking. After all, the equipment is sterile and often looks threatening to a patient, the personnel are talking to you using large medical terms, and the whole experience is unfamiliar and somewhat intimidating. Even if the results turn out good and you find there is nothing to worry about, medical procedures can still cause tension and stress to the patient.
One of the most frightening experiences a patient can experience is an MRI procedure. MRI stands for magnetic resonance imaging, and it is a type of radiologic procedure. At one point, it was especially difficult for elderly patients and those patients who were claustrophobic and afraid of closed-in spaces. Now, however, there are open MRIs that greatly reduce the fear many patients feel when they need to go through the procedure.
What Does an MRI Do?
MRIs, including open imaging MRIs, are scanning procedures that include both diagnostic and radiology imaging. They are used for all parts of the body, including the brain, spine, pelvic area, chest, and others. MRIs are recommended in areas, such as pediatrics, orthopedics, and interventional medicine. Regardless of the ailment you are trying to diagnose, MRIs can tell the doctor a great deal about your condition in one simple procedure.
At one time, there were only closed MRIs that closely enveloped the patient on all sides. These units, however, often were difficult for both claustrophobic and elderly patients and caused even patients who had never before experienced claustrophobia to feel a little anxious. With open imaging MRIs, this is not a problem, because the unit is made like a large ring that does not enclose the patient as securely as the closed units. The equipment feels roomier to the patient, and the patient feels more comfortable during the entire procedure.
Why Are Open MRIs Important?
Since many MRI scans last from thirty-five minutes to one hour or more, the patient will be lying still for a long time. This makes it even more important to use the open imaging type of MRI. Regular MRIs can make the patient feel uptight and closed in, but open MRIs feel much more comfortable to the patient. In addition to the length of most MRI scans, the procedure is usually a very quiet one, which may also make the patient a little nervous. Going through a long procedure that is very quiet can cause the patient to want to move around a little. However, having an open MRI reduces this urge and helps the patient feel more comfortable. This, in turn, helps him or her to keep more still during the MRI procedure.
