When preparing for a PET scan, you should be as relaxed as possible. You can take medication beforehand to reduce the level of anxiety and discomfort. If you’re pregnant or have a young child, you should discuss this option with your doctor. If possible, arrange for someone to drive you home after the PET scan. It’s also recommended to remove any jewelry or metal from your body before the scan. Be sure to drink lots of water beforehand to flush out any tracer from your body.
If you’re diabetic, call your doctor and ask about specific diet restrictions. Often, these scans look for cancer in lymph nodes in the center of the chest. Patients should stop eating at least four hours before the test, and should only drink water during this time. They may also be instructed to avoid strenuous exercise for 12 to 24 hours before the scan. If you have diabetes, you should call the number for your PET scan and discuss any changes to your diet and sugar control. These dietary changes can impact your appointment.
If you’re a diabetic, you can prepare yourself by eating a healthy diet. You can also prepare by reading books or magazines about diabetes or cancer. It’s a good idea to take a bath, eat plenty of water, and wear loose clothing. It’s okay to have an anxiety attack before the scan, but it’s also normal to worry about the results. You should remember that the results from PET scans can be a bit confusing. However, it’s important to remember that the test isn’t painful, and it’s completely safe.
Usually, a PET scan requires fasting for a certain period of time. The scan uses a radioactive tracer to create pictures of the cells in your body. It’s injected into a vein in your arm or taken orally. The radiotracer works for about an hour and then dissolves in the body. If the PET scan is performed successfully, the results can help your doctor determine if you have a condition or not.
The process of getting a PET scan is simple. You’ll lie on a hard table in a doughnut-shaped machine. You’ll be asked to lie completely still on the table. The technician will monitor you through an intercom while you’re lying still. The entire process can take up to an hour, so you should prepare accordingly. However, it’s important to stay calm and relaxed. Once you’re in the machine, you can talk to the technician during the test if you’re uncomfortable or want to discuss anything with him or her.
The main aim of a PET scan is to identify tumors. While these scans are highly accurate, they are still not perfect. Sometimes, the scan will produce a false-positive result when there’s no visible tumor. You should drink plenty of fluids before the scan to flush out any tracer. To ensure you’ll be comfortable and have a successful PET scan, you should try to get plenty of rest and hydrate.
