The realm of healthcare has taken on a new heading, thanks to celebrity endorsements and consumer-friendly marketing trends. And what is this latest wellness fad making headlines, you ask? Whole body MRIs.
The future of healthcare for many is now wellness-focused, but it can be clouded by misinformation and myths.
While it has been gaining traction throughout the general population, how do we decide if a popular fad is actually beneficial to our health journey?
Whole-body MRI scans are rising in popularity, gaining praise from Canadian American physician Peter Attia, socialite Kim Kardashian, and everyone in between, according to GQ Magazine.
Keep reading as we work to debunk the myths surrounding full-body MRI scans and see if they are worthy of consideration on your journey to a happier, healthier life!
Myth: MRI Scans are Harmful to Your Health
MRI scans, or magnetic resonance imaging, are diagnostic tools used to produce detailed images of your body’s internal structures, including blood vessels, organs, bones, and more.
MRI scans are often placed into the same category as other imaging techniques, such as X-rays, PET scans, and CT scans. While all are utilized in the medical field to produce images of your internal body, there is one major difference: radiation exposure.
Ionizing radiation, when used in large doses or prolonged exposure, can increase the risk of developing cancer and possible damage to your DNA. At MRI Wellness, our full-body MRI scans do not expose you to ionizing radiation or contrast dyes, making them a safer alternative to other imaging tests.
Myth: A Whole Body MRI Scan Only Screens for Serious Health Issues
While undergoing a full-body MRI scan is invaluable for diagnosing and managing severe conditions, our goal at MRI Wellness is to take a proactive approach to your health and well-being.
Prevention is at the heart of what we do, and our full-body scans can help identify possible causes of unexplained symptoms while keeping a watchful eye on family health risks and genetic conditions before they become serious.
Myth: MRI Scans are Not Available to Those Who Suffer from Claustrophobia
One look at the MRI scanner and it’s clear why claustrophobic individuals have cause for concern. While about 10 percent of people feel claustrophobic during MRI scans, we have developed some useful tricks to make the experience more relaxed and peaceful.
Before your scan, our staff will give you a comfortable pair of pajamas to help reduce your initial feelings and fears. Talk to us about relaxation techniques and calming music to play during your MRI scan that will help further ease your anxieties before we get started.
If our calming techniques still aren’t keeping your claustrophobia at bay, a mild sedative can be requested from your referring doctor.
Myth: Full Body MRI Scans Replace Targeted Scans and Screenings
While it may appear that a full-body MRI scan would be an adequate replacement for a targeted screening (after all, it’s detailed images of your entire body rather than just a specific part), this is not the case.
A targeted MRI scan focuses more on a specific organ or part of the body, while a full-body MRI scan provides key details to the larger picture of your body’s overall health.
Despite full-body MRI scans providing details into various areas of your body, targeted screenings, such as mammograms, colonoscopies, and pap smears, provide further intel on that specific area. Think of full-body MRIs and targeted MRIs as working together to ensure a positive result, rather than as a replacement.
Myth: You Can’t Have a Full Body MRI with an Implant
MRI scanners produce a strong magnetic field, so it’s understandable to assume that metal implants and an MRI do not pair well together. In today’s healthcare world, however, most implants are created to be MRI-safe, therefore leaving you without worry when it comes to undergoing a full-body scan near you!
Talk to your technician at MRI Wellness if you have an implant, such as a:
- Pacemaker
- Implantable infusion pump
- Cochlear implant
- Prosthetic implant
- Implanted neurostimulator
- IUD
- Intracranial aneurysm clip
- Dental implants
While many implants are MRI-safe, there is still a chance that your specific model could affect the images and MRI results, so it’s important to make your technician aware of any and all implants before the non-invasive imaging test.
Discover the Truth About Full-Body MRI Scans with MRI Wellness
In a rebranded world of healthcare, it’s important to follow fads built on trustworthy sources and facts rather than misinformation and celebrity endorsements.
At MRI Wellness, we create an MRI experience built on accuracy, comfort, and safety, allowing you to leave our office feeling empowered about your health rather than defeated by a too-late diagnosis.
Schedule your full-body MRI in Charleston today and take one step closer to getting the full picture of your health! Book now!
