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Healthy kidneys clean blood by taking away excess liquids, minerals and unwanted substances. They formulate hormones that keep bones strong, and blood in good health. Kidneys will malfunction when damaged.

The kidney supplies Vitamin D3, a good source of calcium for the gastrointestinal tract. The parathyroid hormones control calcium and phosphorus absorption. Excessive production can lead to renal malfunction or kidney failure.

Causes of Kidney Failure

Pre-renal causes – kidneys do not have enough blood supply

• Hypovolemia (low blood amount) due to blood deficiency

• Lack of fluids

• Inadequate ingestion of liquids

Renal causes consist of:

Sepsis: The body’s immune system is devastated from contamination and begins swelling. Kidneys are forced to shutdown. This does not happen often with urinary tract diseases.

Rhabdomyolysis: A situation in which skeletal muscle cells collapse, releasing enzymes and electrolytes simultaneously from within the muscle cells.

• Post- renal causes are due to factors that affect outflow of the urine

• When a bladder or urethra is blocked, back strain builds up. The kidneys shutdown when urine is not being released.

Prostate cancer may stop the urethra and preclude the bladder from emptying.

Symptoms:

• Metabolic acidosis, or increased acidity of the body due to the incapacity to produce bicarbonate, will alter enzyme and oxygen metabolism. This is the basis of organ malfunctioning.

• Failure to release potassium and increasing potassium levels in the serum is related with fatal heart beat conflicts.

• Rising urea levels in the blood can change the function of a variety of organ, from brain malfunctioning to inflammation of the heart lining.

• Unsystematic limitations can be due to anemia, a decreased red blood cell count, because lower levels of erythropoietin do not sufficiently accelerate the bone marrow. A significant increase in red blood cells prevents oxygen from being carried to the blood. The body gets exhausted easily.

• Loss of enthusiasm, tiredness, and exhaustion are noticeable when waste products accumulate in the blood, In worst cases, mental functioning may results, or a body will suffer comatose.

How is kidney failure diagnosed?

Diagnosis is done with several blood tests determining the build up of waste products in the blood. When BUN and creatinine run high, the glomerular filtration speed diminishes. The kidneys continue to clean blood at this rate while calculations are made using the individual’s age, creatinine levels, gender, and race.

Urine analysis may be done to measure the amount of protein, detect the presence of abnormal cells, or measure the concentration of electrolytes. Protein in urine is not normal and can be a clue that the kidneys are harmed.

Unusual aggregations of red and white blood cells described as casts can be seen in the urine with kidney diseases. Evaluating the absorption of electrolytes in the blood and urine can help decide whether the kidneys are able to appropriately monitor and filter blood.

There are ways to prevent kidney failure. Be conscientious with your health. Regulate blood sugar and blood pressure. It is always best to seek professional medical help when feeling something wrong.

When experiencing kidney failure, avoid further weakening of the renal function. Again, don’t disregard. Seek medical help.

For more information on Early symptoms of Kidney Failure and Early Symptoms of Stomach Cancer please visit our website.

Lung cancer is one of the more prevalent kind of cancer. Smoking is usually the culprit. Constant exposure to toxic waste, radiation and asbestos also build up threats of a lung disease.

Lung cancer is an ailment of unrestrained cell development in the lung tissues. This growth may lead to metastasis, spreading to the adjoining tissues and penetrating prematurely the lungs.

Lung cancer is the most popular cancer cause of death in men, and the second most common in women.

Frequent symptoms of lung cancer:

1. Continuous chest throbbing

2. Persistent coughs that become severe

3. Shortness of breath, puffing, or huskiness

4. Constant troubles with pneumonia or bronchitis

5. Coughing up blood

6. Inflammation of the neck and face

7. Loss of appetite or significant weight loss

8. Exhaustion

Types of Lung Cancers:

A. Small-cell lung cancer occurs when malignant cells form in the lung tissues.

Small lung cancer has three different types, classified according to the forms of cells developing as cancer. These are:

1. Small cell carcinoma

2. Union of small cell and large cell carcinoma.

3. Joint small cell carcinoma.

These three kinds may contain many different types of cells. The cancer cells of all types may grow and multiply in different ways.

Stages of Small Cell Lung Cancer

Limited stage - cancer starts in the lung tissues, and in the adjacent lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are tiny, bean-shaped structures near the lungs.

Extensive Stage – cancer has propagated beyond the lungs to other parts of the body.

B. Large-cell lung cancer is a disease in which malignant cells form in the tissues of the lungs.

Five types of large-cell lung cancer

The five types of large-cell lung cancer have differing varieties of cancer cells. The cancer cells of each category produce and multiply in unusual effects:

1. Squamous cell carcinoma – Cancer starts in the squamous cells, thin flat cells that appear like fish scales. It’s called epidermoid carcinoma.

2. Large cell carcinoma – Cancer in which the cells are big and seem to be irregular when examined under a microscope.

3. Adenosquamous carcinoma – Cancer that begins in cells. Cancer cells appear to be firm when inspected under a microscope.

4. Adenocarcinoma – Cancer that begins in groups in glandular assets.

5. Undifferentiated carcinoma – Cancer cells that do not seem to be normal. They spread fast.

Treatment:

1. Surgery - Surgery is the ideal medication for lung cancer. The body is normally opened up for the lungs to be treated directly.

2. Radiation is a common treatment for lung cancer. Radiation therapy utilizes high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells. It distresses cells only in the treated area.

a. External radiation is the most common radiation treatment for people with lung cancer. Radiation comes from a huge apparatus outside your body. Mainly people go to the hospital or clinic for treatment. Treatments are typically 5 days a week for more than a few weeks.

b. Internal radiation is rare. Radiation is released from a seed, wire, or another device, to the body.

Treatment of Large-Cell Lung Cancer:

• Chemotherapy – This is cancer treatment making use of drugs to prevent the increase of cancer cells. Drugs are either taken by mouth or injected in the veins and muscles to destroy cancer cells. These drugs go into the bloodstream to treat cancer cells in the body. When chemotherapy is placed straight in the spinal column, an organ, or a body cavity like the abdomen, these drugs generally distress cancer cells in those parts.

• Laser therapy – Laser is used to destroy cancer cells.

For more information on Early symptoms of Lung Cancer and Early Symptoms of Skin Cancer please visit our website.

CPAP machines are life saving devices for people with sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a condition that causes the sleeper to stop breathing occasionally during the night, often because of obstructions in his or her airway. The result is poor quality of sleep, because the person is constantly being woken up enough to disrupt his or her sleep patterns.

CPAP stands for continuous positive airway pressure. Basically what CPAP machines do is to push air down the sleeper’s nose and throat at a pressure prescribed by the doctor. This prevents any obstructions and allows him or her to breathe without any interruptions all night long, provided the pressure is set at the correct level, of course.

If you have never purchased a CPAP machine before, you might feel a little overwhelmed by the thought of finding one. Here are the steps people usually go through in getting CPAP machines:

Get a prescription from your doctor. If your doctor suspects or knows that you have problems sleeping due to sleep apnea, he or she may suggest a CPAP machine as an alternative to having surgery to correct the problem. CPAP machines are gotten via a prescription, so your doctor will write a prescription, but he or she will probably leave the choice of what machine to get up to you.

Talk to your insurance company. Your health insurance company may be able to advise you on where to go to get your machine. You should also find out how much of the price they are willing to cover, as this will affect your decision on what machine to get. Some insurance companies prefer that you get certain kinds of machines, and will cover more of the cost of the preferred machines.

Find retailers that carry CPAP machines. Not every drugstore or medical equipment retailer will carry CPAP machines. You can look up local stores and call around to see who carries them, but another option is to go online. Just make sure that the online store you are buying from is reputable, offers customer service to help you do things like adjust the pressure if needed, and sells high quality machines.

Don’t forget to shop around. Just like with anything else, you should plan to shop around for the best prices on CPAP machines. But don’t just look at price, as customer service and technical assistance is important too. You can generally find the cheapest prices online, but make sure that the retailer offers some type of customer service or assistance in case you run into trouble or need to ask a question about operating your machine.

Look at different features and decide what you want. There are many different features available on CPAP machines, some of which will make your treatment easier and more comfortable for you. You should consider the impact that features such as different pressure-related features, data storage, and others will have on your satisfaction with your treatment.

Purchase or order your CPAP machine. If you get the machine locally, chances are that the healthcare team will either set the pressure for you or show you how to do it. If you order the machine online or via phone, you will probably need to send in the prescription or have your doctor call it in. If you choose the latter option, you should probably plan on reading the manual from cover to cover, since you won’t have a friendly healthcare team member to show you how to work it.

CPAP machines have the ability to change your life, taking away the exhaustion and enabling you to live a healthier, fuller life. However, finding and purchasing the right machine can be overwhelming for many people. Make sure you know how and where to get a CPAP machine, and don’t forget to explore all of your available options. Treat this like the big decision it is, and you will be much more likely to feel satisfied with your treatment.

Andy West is a writer for CPAP-Supply, helping thousands sleep better through the use of CPAP machines and supplies. For more information please visit CPAP-Supply.com.

A sleep apnea machine is a miracle machine for someone with sleep apnea, a condition where the person stops breathing at intervals during the night. As you can probably imagine, this condition is highly disruptive to the person’s sleep patterns and overall quality of sleep, causing him or her to be extremely tired all the time.

To keep a person breathing normally all night long, a sleep apnea machine creates positive pressure through the patient’s airways, which means that it gently blows air down the person’s nose and throat. This prevents the airways from closing unexpectedly, such as when the tonsils partially block the throat. When the positive pressure is at the correct level for the individual patient, the person should not have any apneas, or periods where he or she stops breathing.

CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machines have a variety of different features to make them more convenient and helpful for the patient. Here are some features to weigh when choosing a sleep apnea machine.

Battery power: Your sleep apnea machine should have both a plug so that it can run off of electricity and a battery so that you can use it when a wall outlet is not available, such as on an airplane. Additionally, you should consider the battery’s capacity. You should be able to use the machine for eight consecutive hours, even when they are on the settings that use the most power, such as when the humidifier or heater is on.

Backup battery: In addition to having plenty of battery power, it is important for the battery to kick in automatically in the event of a power failure. This is not a common feature, so if this is important to you, you might have to do some shopping around.

Data storage: Some sleep apnea machines store data, such as whether and how often you have apneas during the night, and how often you use the machine. These things are important because they help your doctor to judge the effectiveness of the treatment, and to adjust it accordingly. You may also want to look at how data is stored — if it is stored in a memory device that is not removable, you may have to take the entire machine in to your doctor’s office to have the data downloaded, as opposed to removing a small data storage device from the machine and carrying just that in to your doctor.

Gradual increase in pressure: Many newer sleep apnea machines have a setting to gradually increase the amount of pressure, allowing your body to adjust to it slowly. This is definitely more of a comfort issue than a treatment requirement. However, it could be a very important feature if being uncomfortable with a too-sudden amount of pressure makes you discontinue your treatment.

Bi-level pressure: Another feature that many newer machines have is a bi-level pressure setting, enabling you to set different pressures for inhaling and exhaling. This makes exhaling much easier, since you will not be pushing as hard against the pressure in order to get the air out of your lungs.

Comfortable mask and hose length: Although masks are purchased separately from the sleep apnea machine, they are worth mentioning, because a comfortable mask can mean the difference between you sticking with the treatment, and giving it up because you find it uncomfortable or ineffective. A good sleep apnea mask should not leak, even when you crush it up against the pillow; however, a good mask also needs to be comfortable for you to wear. Additionally, you should consider the hose length; about six feet is considered normal, because it gives you room to move about without lessening the effectiveness of the machine.

Choosing a sleep apnea machine is a big decision. Once you are using a machine regularly and it is working correctly, you will find you have more energy and fewer problems with fatigue during the day: Ending your nighttime apneas enables you to get deeper, less frequently interrupted sleep. The wrong machine, however, can make treatment ineffective or unpleasant, so be sure to consider your options carefully.

Andy West is a writer for CPAP-Supply, providing products to those owning a Sleep apnea machine or CPAP machine. For more information please visit CPAP-Supply.com.

When an adult reaches their 50s and 60s in age, sometimes they can have a hard time trying to get health insurance in Texas. This is because health insurance carriers are scared that they will be paying lots of claims from this age group. They will seriously look at how old they are and the status of their health before they decide whether or not to give them a policy.

However, it’s not always the case that older adults and seniors cannot get health insurance. If the adult is 65 or over, had a record or working 10 years or more (if not them, their spouse), they could possibly be eligible for Medicare. For this age group, Medicare will cover some health related items, but not everything. In that case, you may have to get additional health insurance in Texas.

Also, if you have a serious condition such as kidney disease (end stage), you will automatically get Medicaid. Disability income from Social Security will also qualify you if you’ve been receiving it for the past two years. If your spouse already has a Medicare plan then you can fit under his or her plan. This can easily be done with this type of health insurance in Texas.

With Medicare, they will pay a huge part of the costs for your health care. There is also what is called a “Medicare Supplement” that is used when Medicare doesn’t pick up all of the costs. This supplement is used for the remaining balance. The catch is with this health care insurance in Texas, you must apply for the supplement portion within the open enrollment period. This period lasts about six months. Anytime during those six months you can apply. It’s better to apply sooner than later. The sooner you do, the better chance you have of getting your supplement faster.

If you wait until after the open enrollment period is over, you may not get all of your health coverage paid for. Of course, it’s not a given that you would need the supplement. It just depends on your situation. In addition to that, there are other health insurance supplements in Texas that can be used. If you have health insurance from a retirement package, then that can be used to pay for the remaining portion.

If you need assistance in regard to getting Medicare, the state of Texas has a Health and Human Services department that can assist you. They will be able to advise whether or not you qualify for Medicare. You can also go to the federal government site to see if you qualify. It’s important for people that live in the state to make sure they get the adequate health insurance in Texas.

With your Medicare health insurance in Texas, you can not get prescription drugs from the private sector when you have this coverage. You need to know about this Medicare benefit because you will need to enroll when you become eligible. If you wait until after the period is over, you could face a penalty. You should get all of the information regarding Medicare so that it will help you with your health insurance needs.

This article about Texas Health Insurance is brought to you by Texas Health and Jordan FeRoss. You need to check out their website: Health Insurance in Texas for really good health care advice!

There are people that reside in the great state of Texas that still cannot get or find health insurance. It is very important to have health insurance in Texas for various reasons. However, there’s no need to despair. There are alternative resources that you can use to get some kind of help with your health care.

Here’s what you can do to get health care if you can’t get Texas health insurance

One place you can go if you don’t have health insurance in Texas is a clinic that services a surrounding community. Many times they take in people that need health care, but may not have health insurance here in the state. You will be able to get quality care, but at a reduced cost. You would get some of the same benefits and medical services as you would if you did have health insurance. You would be charged on a sliding scale, based on your ability to pay. You can check online for more information about these kind of clinics.

If you don’t have health insurance in Texas and you are admitted in the hospital as an inpatient, there are avenues available where you can get assistance with your hospital bills. Keep in mind that you will have hospital bills, even with no health insurance. Depending on what kind of hospital you go to, there are some that are non-profit that can assist in clearing some of the debt. Hospitals that are non-profit based can do that because of what they stand for and because of their tax bracket.

There are other hospitals that have programs that provide financial assistance. In addition to that, the federal government has mandates that can help you get rid of your hospital debt. Even though you will receive a bill for services rendered, you will still need to attempt to make a payment towards it. The hospitals have a financial aid department with counselors and advocates that can assist you. They will be more than happy to adjust your bill or implement a payment plan for you. By not having health insurance in Texas, it is crucial that you try to implement some type of plan to pay off the hospital debt.

Another thing that can add to the cost of health care is the cost of prescription drugs. In the state of Texas, there are programs that will assist you with your prescriptions and other related expenses. Check for websites that can assist you in finding venues that can help you with the costs of your prescription drugs. This is a good idea, especially if you have a lot of drugs to take for your medical condition.

Not having health insurance in Texas is not a total loss. You may be able to get prescription drugs for free or at a discount rate. There are programs that are sponsored by some of the major drug companies in order to get what you need. Pfizer and Merck are two of the companies that will help people without health insurance get what they need.

If you are a veteran and don’t have health insurance in Texas, you may be able to get medical care by going to one of the VA’s medical facilities. The requirements for this are if you served on active duty and received either a general or honorable discharge. You will have to contact the VA facility in your area to get additional information.

This article about Texas Health Insurance is brought to you by Texas Health and Jordan FeRoss. You need to check out their website: Health Insurance in Texas for really good health care advice!

It can be difficult to get health insurance in Texas if you have a pre-existing condition. In fact, there are some health insurance companies that will not take you if you put that on your insurance application. Or, if you are accepted for health insurance, you will have to pay more because the health insurance company is taking a risk on providing you with health coverage.

There is something you can do to get health insurance in Texas. There is a group called the Texas Health Insurance Risk Pool, otherwise known as the Texas Health Pool, which can provide health insurance in Texas. This Health Pool is mainly for those who are having a difficult time securing health insurance. This pool also insures those that have a pre-existing condition.

You should note that with this health insurance alternative, you can be charged up to two times the normal rate of individual health insurance. One, because there are not a lot of resources like this in the state. Second, because the pool knows that there are not a lot of resources that would easily provide insurance coverage to the uninsurable; they have found a niche here. So, they know that since this group of people doesn’t have much of a choice for getting health insurance in Texas elsewhere, that they will have to join the pool.

The Texas Health pool insurance coverage is used for inpatient hospital admissions, doctor visits and prescription drugs. In addition to that, this health insurance in Texas will pay for mental illness situations (serious ones); However, one exclusion of this state coverage is the pool will not provide coverage for chemical dependency issues.

In order to get health insurance coverage in Texas for this, you must be defined as eligible according to the guidelines of the federal government. You must also have been denied health insurance coverage or related insurance coverage because of your health

(pre-existing condition).

You can be eligible by being a dependent of someone that already has health insurance in Texas through the Texas health pool. You can also be eligible if you have a medical issue that will guarantee your eligibility of health insurance coverage into the health pool. A health insurance agent would have to certify that you are not able to get health care coverage through one of the traditional health insurance companies because of your medical issues.

It’s important that even though your pre-existing condition may prevent you from getting health insurance in Texas, that there is a way around that. Everyone needs health insurance, if for nothing else than going to the doctor. Not begin able to go to the doctor because of no insurance can be frustrating, to say the least. It’s important that the state of Texas has this program designed so that those with pre-existing conditions can be able to get quality care just like those that have the traditional health insurance. The health pool was probably one of the best things that could have happened for the state of Texas as far as health insurance is concerned.

This article about Texas Health Insurance is brought to you by Texas Health and Jordan FeRoss. You need to check out their website: Health Insurance in Texas for really neat health care advice!

Whether from an illness or accident, many of us will have some kind of partial disability. It is estimated that over half of all bankruptcy claims each year are the end result of an illness or disability which impacted the person’s ability to work. Which is why getting the right disability insurance quotes are essential.

Physicians in private practice need to have disability insurance to prevent their practices from shutting down because of a temporary disability that keeps you from working. The benefit to having this type of insurance is that it will pay to help keep your practice going while you are disabled. This means that even though you may not be able to perform root canals, knee surgery or other medical treatments a doctor may provide, your business will have the money it needs to pay your staff, rent, utilities, property taxes, premiums and more.

It’s essential to choose a company that provides custom solutions to your specific needs. Your prospective insurer should review your medical history, type of practice, practice location, gender, height, weight, age and list of current medications that you are taking.

Unfortunately, disabilities and illnesses often hit when we least expect them. For instance, heart attacks, strokes, cancer, degenerative disc disease, Lou Gehrig’s disease are just a few of the illnesses that have stricken medical professionals who are in their prime earning years. Accidents, such as vehicle wrecks, athletic injuries from skiing, playing tennis or jogging and regular household mishaps can bring your practice’s income to a screeching halt for weeks or even months.

Many plans usually have a benefit period of a few years, at the most. They are designed to help fund your practice until you are able to return to work or arrange to liquidate or shut down your practice.

Doctors should never assume that their existing policies cover the operating costs of running their businesses in the event of their inability to work. Policies such as long-term disability insurance often delay payment from the date of the injury or illness diagnosis. This can be anywhere from 60 to 365 days. In addition to this, it may only pay you if you are unable to work in any field. That’s why it’s important to look at your current plan and determine which option would be best for your situation.

Group plans are another area that doctors have to be careful with; since they can be cancelled at any time and their terms are quite limited. In addition, they usually do not pay unless you are totally disabled and unable to do any kind of work. Plus, they usually do not apply to business owners, like dentists or doctors. They are usually designed for employees, such as your employees.

Another important issue that’s often overlooked is what kind of benefit Social Security will pay. Again, like long-term insurance, the SSDI only pays if you are unable to do any work. Since most disabilities are not 100%, this would not help a surgeon who has a fractured arm from a car accident and won’t be able to practice for several weeks or months.

Worker’s Compensation is another example that all doctors should know about. Unless you incur an injury in the course of your work, you cannot claim worker’s compensation. That’s why it’s usually limited to those who work in construction or other occupations where serious injuries are far more likely.

Another misconception is that most think they may have enough cash saved up to cover the bills in the event of some kind of disability. This is a very risky proposition because it does not take into account the kind of debilitation and how long you might be out of work.

Make sure that your insurer is reliable, respected and has solid experience in working with medical professionals in private practice. Hopefully, you’ll never need to use it but getting disability insurance quotes will make your debilitation much less painful when you are away from your practice.

Doctor Disability provides Disability Insurance Quotes to help empower physicians to protect what matters most. For more information please visit Doctordisability.com.

Trying to get disability insurance for a physician at the end of his or her residency will be difficult. Any medical conditions that were obtained by the physician during the residency will make buying the insurance plan possible but not favorable. Premium payments will be higher and benefits may not be very beneficial.

One concern of medical residents for not taking advantage of better rates for insurance plans is their need to pay their outstanding student loans. As medical students, their student loans from medical school can exceed $100,000. As physicians attempting to enroll for disability insurance, they may find that they may be not getting the best policy and rates than as medical students.

During medical residency, the hospital and residency program may offer group disability insurance plans. But these are limited because they stop when you stop working as a resident. The need to have your own policy suddenly arises and you reach a stumbling block trying to enroll for your own plan as a physician. Then, other regular payments pile up, including student loan payments and basic necessities and room for insurance is further adjusted. And if you receive an injury of any kind while working as a resident, your full potential may not be the same and can affect your income and put you in further debt.

Enrolling for disability insurance for physicians as a medical resident is the ideal solution to protect whatever future income you may have and being able to pay your student loans regularly. Purchasing an insurance plan earlier is also advantageous because you get a lower premium based on your age and health status alone. And because, as a medical student, you are still free from injuries, and you’re in perfect health, you will be able to get the best policy and rate available for your profession.

There are some things to remember when shopping for disability insurance. Make sure that your policy defines your specific occupation or has an occupational coverage. Enrolling under a general occupation coverage will not leave you room for options in case you happen to become injured during your medical residency. Specifying your occupation at the start of your coverage ensures you that, should an injury, whether minor or serious, occur during your medical residency, you will be covered by your insurance.

Guaranteed renewable policies that cannot be canceled by the insurer is a great way to go. This means that no matter what injury you may obtain during residency, the insurance company cannot cancel, change or refuse to renew your policy for any reason or any time, as long as you pay your premiums.

As with any other plans, these must be carefully studied and examined. These policies have maximum and elimination period of benefits. You should not assume that the company will pay 100 percent of your income. Most insurance companies only pay about 50 to 60 percent of your income. And they don’t release the money immediately after disability or injury. The policy holder may have to wait at least a month or up to a year before receiving any money. Careful study will ensure that you will get the best policy and rates for the disability insurance that you want.

If you think, as a medical resident, everything about disability insurance for physicians will be difficult, do not hesitate to seek the help of a specialist or a broker to help you research. Do not rush this process. It’s important that you get the best plan you can afford.

Andy West is a writer for Doctor Disability, empowering physicians to protect what matters most. Protect your income with Disability Insurance for Physician and Dentists. For more information please visit Doctordisability.com.

An MRI isn’t like other forms of imaging. Magnetic Resonance Imaging, as the name implies, uses a very high powered magnetic field to produce images of the body much sharper and more detailed than any x-ray ever could. Doctors use it primarily to see the brain, to look for tumors and muscle damage, and to get clear images of organs.

Because of that magnet, unusual precautions have to be taken for patients and technicians alike. Patients will be asked to remove metals such as piercings and jewelry. Someone who presents in the ER with a gunshot wound will not be given an MRI until it can be established that the bullet is no longer in the body. Technicians and doctors in the radiology department wear special clothing that has no zippers or metal trim – even their ID card lanyards are all made of low-static plastic and cloth. Pacemakers are now being manufactured with MRI’s in mind and some are safe to scan, though all caution is taken to avoid it. Ocular x-rays will be done on patients beforehand if there’s a risk of metal fragments being in their eyes – as could happen with a welder or other metalworker. Metal detectors – much like you find at the airport – are used on anyone entering the imaging area. An accidental projectile from someone’s pocket could be disastrous or deadly.

The room in which the MRI is situated also has to be fitted differently from the other radiology rooms. The metal equipment you see in other areas of hospitals will not under any circumstance be used in the MRI room. Carts, lighting fixtures and even patient transport items like wheelchairs and cots have to be plastic or stainless steel. Surgical equipment like scissors and scalpels are made out of titanium. Joints and screws in simple and overlooked items like laundry hampers are made out of non-magnetized steel as well.

A light bulb blows out in your imaging room, and you call the maintenance guy to deal with it. Not so fast – does he have non-magnetic tools to work with? His regular tool belt – along with any zippered or metal item on his clothing, has to be removed prior to working within that room. Prepare for this inevitability by having MRI approved tools for tasks within the imaging room. Even the fire extinguisher has to be cleared for use within and MR environment!

Brooms, mobs and water buckets have to be metal-free, meaning the maintenance crew needs different equipment for cleaning the imaging room. PVC custodial carts and microfiber sweepers and dusters must be provided, and the reasoning behind them needs to be clearly explained to custodial staff.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging is the best imaging mankind has created to date, and is safer in terms of radiation exposure, which is a concern with x-rays. However, the guidelines for working in an MR environment must be adhered to for the safety of patients and staff, as well as the integrity of the valuable equipment. Working within those guidelines will ensure that patients are getting the care they need from a top-quality machine that has also been well cared for.

Stephen Is a writer for Universal Medical Inc. A premier provider of MRI compatible equipment and MRI safe supplies.