On the day of your MRI scan, you should be able to eat, drink and take any medication as usual, unless you’re advised otherwise. In some cases, you may be asked not to eat or drink for up to 4 hours before the scans, and sometimes you will be asked to drink a large amount of water before the scans. If you have any concerns about your health, talk to your doctor.
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Does food interfere with MRI?
Most metal items will need to be removed for the exam. The office must be notified immediately of any change in the patient’s medical condition. *If you have any questions or concerns about your medical history, please contact your physician.
Why can’t you eat before a brain MRI?
Four to six hours before a test for other parts of your body, such as your abdominal region, your doctor may order you not to drink or eat. MRI machine is essentially a magnet, it can interact with your stomach, intestines, and other organs.
If you have a history of stomach problems, you may be advised to avoid certain foods or drinks for a few days before your MRI. You may also be asked to refrain from certain activities for the first few hours of the scan.
Why do you have to fast before a MRI?
You may be asked to not eat solid food for a few hours before your appointment if you are getting intravenous contrast material, which helps your body part show up better in the scans. If you have a medical condition, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, your doctor may ask you to limit your intake of solid foods for the first few days of the exam.
Can you put on deodorant for an MRI?
Can you put on deodorant for an MRI? Please refrain from wearing any powder, perfumes, deodorant and/or lotions on your underarms and breasts prior to the procedure. Please let us know if you have any metal in your body, since the magnetic resonance image is a magnet. We recommend that you contact your doctor or pharmacist for a prescription for the product you are using.
Can I drink coffee before MRI?
You may have clear liquids only (jello, tea, fruit drinks without pulp, black coffee, water, etc.) for 6-8 hours. If you have a lot of liquid in your stomach, you may be able to drink it all in one sitting.
If you can’t drink all of it in a single sitting, it may take a few days to get used to the feeling of fullness. You may need to eat more food to fill you up again.
How long does an MRI take?
Most types of scans take between 15 to 90 minutes to complete. The length of your magnetic resonance image might be different in some cases. The part of your body getting scanned and the number of images needed to play a role in determining how long the scans will take are different for each type of MRI.
If you’re in a rural area, you might have to wait up to a week for a scan, while if you live in an urban area it might take less than a day. CT scanners are also more expensive than MRI scanners, so it’s important to make sure you get one that’s right for you.
