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A Mighty MRI Scan – Just for Lung Diseases

It's come a long way, baby.

The MRI Scan, that is.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was first performed on a human being on July 3, 1977. It was a landmark event in modern medicine. And it was no small feat.

That first MRI scan took almost five hours to produce one rather ugly image. But Dr. Raymond Damadian, Dr. Larry Minkoff and Dr. Michael Goldsmith didn't mind. It seemed like no time at all compared to the seven long years they spent developing the MRI scanner. In fact, they named their original machine "Indomitable" in honor of their work to achieve what others said could not be done.

Today that machine is in the Smithsonian. And MRIs capture extremely detailed images in seconds.(1)

The New Generation

A specialized type of MRI scan is being pioneered at the University of Nottingham in England. It will focus on lung diseases and studies will include asthma, lung fibrosis and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). This group of lung diseases is a leading cause of death around the world.

The current method of doing a lung scan is with X-rays or a CT scan, but those only provide a quick snapshot. They can't indicate how the lungs are functioning. And they require exposure to radiation which limits their use.

The trials for the new MRI machine will use a harmless gas called Xenon 129. The patient inhales the gas, and unlike air, the gas is clearly visible on the MRI scan. It creates a finely detailed picture of the lungs, both healthy and damaged sections.

The gas can also be observed as it is absorbed into the bloodstream. This shows how well the lungs are transferring oxygen. Doctors can use this information to better target various treatments for lung diseases.

Professor Ian Hall and Professor Peter Morris, both of the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham, are leading the project. Hall commented, "This research has huge implications for the treatment and monitoring of lung disease. We are very excited to…try and develop…xenon MRI as the diagnostic and therapeutic…tool of choice for lung-related diseases in the future."(2)

 A Giant Magnet

An MRI machine is basically a big magnetic cube. A horizontal tube runs through the magnet from front to back. The patient, lying flat, is slid into the tube on a special table.

Originally, the tube had no side openings, which made a lot of people nervous, so newer machines have some openness on the sides. The kind of test prescribed will determine whether the patient goes into the machine head first or feet first and how far inside.

Once the body area to be examined is in the center of the magnetic field, the scan can begin. Using radio waves, the scanner focuses on a very small point of tissue. The point may be a cube that is only a half millimeter on each side.

The MRI then continues to scan, point by point, constructing a dimensional map of tissue types. The result is a 2-D or 3-D model of the patient's inner organ. And the level of detail is extraordinary.(3)

A Safety Warning

The magnet of the MRI machine is a powerful beast, so precautions are taken when working around it. Metal objects like paperclips, keys and scissors are banned from the room. Not to mention stethoscopes, jewelry, belt buckles and any other object containing iron. These things can become projectiles endangering anyone nearby.

Experts say that an object drawn into the field of the magnetic scanner can travel up to 40 miles per hour. In fact, there have been cases of mop buckets, desk chairs, oxygen tanks, heart monitors, IV poles and even vacuum cleaners being pulled into MRI machines.(4)

But taming this magnetic beast has given us an unprecedented view inside the human body, which is not only fascinating, but groundbreaking medical progress. The newest generation of the MRI scan just for lung diseases will improve medical treatment for thousands of people.

Before you make any changes in your own diet, supplement or exercise routine, be sure to check with a health care professional.

Sources:

1. Gould, TA, "How MRI Works," HowStuffWorks.com, April 1, 2000
2. Rayner, E, "A New Scan for Lung Diseases," MedicalNewsToday.com, Oct 15, 2009
3. Gould, TA, "How MRI Works," HowStuffWorks.com, April 1, 2000
4. "Beware of Flying Metal," WOWT.com, Nov 10, 2005

About the Author

Dr. Blankstein has been practicing for over 30 years as a leading Cardiologist. Trained in traditional medicine and Board Certified in both Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Disease, he knows the importance of good medical care. This consideration has allowed him to discover safe and natural ways of healing. His dedication to bringing the latest and best in health solutions to his patients and the public has given him the experience to research and develop proven natural remedies for many illnesses.

© 2009 Chesapeake Nutraceuticals

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