If you have a brain MRI, most people can quickly get back to their normal activities except if you received sedation. If you received sedation, you are advised not to drive, operate heavy machinery, or drink alcohol for 24 hours. If contrast dye was used, your doctor may have requested that you drink extra fluids to irrigate the dye. Furthermore, If you have any unusual symptoms, contact your doctor.
After A Brain MRI
After the MRI, the technologist will check in on you to make sure that you feel well. You might be asked to wait a few minutes for this confirmation if you had contrast administered, although if you have had a sedative you will require someone to drive you home; otherwise, you can return to your normal activity directly after your appointment.
Do Not Drive
If sedation was given during your brain MRI, you should not drive following the procedure. Sedation, in most cases, can affect your judgment, reflexes, and coordination and is always not suggested driving for several hours. Consider having a family member or friend drive you home or arrange for alternative transportation.
Heavy Machinery
If you received a sedative for your brain MRI, we recommend not operating heavy machinery for 24 hours after your MRI. The sedative may affect your judgment and reflexes; therefore, you would not be able to safely operate capitally dangerous equipment.
Alcohol
In most cases, you may return to your normal activities immediately after a brain MRI, which includes eating and drinking. When you have a sedative to help you relax through the scan, there is typically a 24-hour alcohol restriction.
Heavy Lifting
After your brain MRI, you can generally return to your usual routine or activity and avoid heavy lifting and activities that might raise your blood pressure, especially if you received a sedative.
Ignoring Symptoms
Ensure that you do not miss anything abnormal after a brain MRI, especially if you were give a contrast agent. Most patients are able to go back to their usual activities without problem and are likely to be a-okay, but understand the possibility of allergic reactions – rash, itching, trouble breathing.
Conclusion
After having a brain MRI, do not drive, work, engage in strenuous activity, or drink alcohol if you are sedated or anesthetized, and don’t overlook any unusual symptoms; otherwise, generally return to your usual routine unless instructed otherwise by your doctor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What precautions should you take after a brain MRI?
Typically, people can go back to their normal activities 95% of the time after a brain MRI, unless you were sedated in some way.
Q. What can go wrong with a brain MRI?
Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis has been observed in patients with impaired kidney function after the use of contrast, but this remains rare. There is always a risk of potential misinterpretation of results or human misjudgement in the procedure.
Q. What to avoid after an MRI scan?
If you were sedated you should not drive, make decisions, or use heavy machinery for 24 hours, and you will need someone to pick you up and take you home. If the doctor used contrast dye.
Q. When should MRI be avoided?
MRI scans should be avoided for people with metal implants, especially if they have iron, because of the ferromagnetic field, such as pacemakers, cochlear implants, and aneurysm clips. Some people have severe kidney disease, especially on dialysis.
Q. What are the types of brain MRI scans?
There are 2 types of brain MRI scans, such as structural and functional MRI.
