MRIs: you may be familiar with the acronym, but not much else. The first thing you need to know is: Don’t worry! MRIs or Magnetic Resonance Imaging has been around since the 1970s. The test is normally completely painless and does not involve radiation. What is does is help doctors diagnose a wide range of conditions that would be otherwise difficult to diagnose using other procedures.

Below is an infographic entitled, MRI Preparation: What To Expect, explaining what will happen before, during the after your test. There’s nothing in the graphic that should scare you, but there are several things you’ll learn that are very important.

Your biggest MRI challenge will probably be the dress code. You’ll be told before your test to not wear any metal to your procedure. Metal and MRI tests do not mix well. You should alert your doctor of any metal you have inside, such as artificial joints or a pacemaker. You’ll find other things highlighted in the infographic of what not to wear during your test, such as makeup.

Depending on what part of your body is being scanned, you may find yourself completely inside the MRI tube for the duration of the MRI, anywhere from 15 minutes to over an hour. If you suffer from claustrophobia, do alert your doctor so he is aware in advance of the test. In some cases, claustrophobia is treated with a sedative; in less severe cases, simply having your favorite background music is enough to reduce anxiety.    

Although an MRI produces images almost immediately, it can take anywhere from a few days to two weeks for radiologists to review them and doctors to report back. This is why, as the infographic states, it is a good idea to ask how long that report will take before you leave. For all the MRI details, please continue reading.