We believe maintaining healthy bones to prevent osteoporosis is very important.
According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation of the 10 million Americans estimated to have Osteoporosis, 8 million of them are women. Our physicians understand the importance of having healthy, strong bones and they also understand the many factors that can affect bone loss; that’s why we offer bone density scans as part of our comprehensive services.
Below are answers to some common questions about bone density scans and Osteoporosis. We also encourage you to visit The National Osteoporosis Foundation online at
www.nof.org
A bone density scan, also called dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA or DEXA), is an x-ray form of technology that measures bone loss. The scan produces x-ray images of the spine, hip, and whole body. The x-ray is composed of two energy levels, which are absorbed differently by the bones in your body. A computer is able to determine from these differences how much bone mineral is present. A DEXA scan is used to diagnosis Osteoporosis. The spine and hip are measured because that is where osteoporotic fractures most often occur.
Osteoporosis is a gradual loss of calcium that causes bones to become weak, fragile and susceptible to fractures. Around the age of 30, bones reach their peak strength and then naturally become weaker with age. This weakening may be due to age or other factors combined with age. Osteoporosis is a silent disease and symptoms due not occur until there has been significant bone loss. The most visible symptoms include loss of height or curvature of the upper back. In some cases, it can result in crippling and painful facture in the hip, back, or wrist.
Both men and women loose bone strength as they grow older. Women, however, are more at risk for osteoporosis because they often have smaller, thinner frames. For women bone loss tends to begin at the age of 35 and each year women can loose between .5% - 1% of bone mass. This can increase to 3% - 7% each year for the first 3-5 years after menopause. At the age of 50 a woman’s risk of developing osteoporosis doubles every 5 years.
| Important Risk Factors for Osteoporosis |
- History of prior facture
- Family history of osteoporsis
- Dementia
- Poor Nutrition
- Smoking
- Alcoholism
- History of falls
|
- Low weight and body mass
- Inadequate physical activity
- Estrogen deficiency
- Early menopause (younger than 45 years)
- Prolonged premenopausal amenorrhea
|
A bone density scan is painless and typically takes 1-10 minutes to complete. All you need to do is lie still and breathe normally. The DEXA scan is like a large examination table; it is padded and comfortable. Your name, age, height, weight, and ethnicity will be entered into the computer before the test. In most cases you can remain in your normal clothing during the exam. Belt Buckles, metal buttons, metal jewelry will need to be removed from the region being examined. You will be asked to lie on your back and the staff will position your arms and legs for the test.
Even though x-rays are used, the amount of radiation absorbed by the patient is only about 1/10th of that received from a chest x-ray. The x-ray dose from the bone density scan is comparable to the naturally occurring radiation you are exposed to in one week.
The test compares your bone mass density (BMD) to a “young adult” at peak bone strength. It also compares your BMD to people of your same age. These comparisons, along with other factors, help us to gauge your risk of osteoporotic fracture. A panel of experts at the World Health Organization developed categories that define your T-score.
T-score =
The difference between your results and that of a “young adult.” |
| If you T-Score is: |
Bone Classification |
| Greater than or equal to –1 |
Normal |
| Between –1 and –2.5 |
Osteopenic (low bone density) |
| Less than or equal to –2.5 |
Osteoporosis |
This test is also useful in helping us follow bone changes. It can monitor the effects of age, diet, and treatments for your bone status.
A diagnosis of Osteoporosis cannot predict a bone fracture, just as high cholesterol cannot predict a heart attack. Instead, it means that the risk of having a fracture is higher than if your results indicated normal bones. You test results along with other factors give us your overall risk of fracture. There are number of ways to reduce your risk of fracture and osteoporosis. Your physician may suggest exercise, changes in diet, hormone therapy, or medication. Today, with new techniques for early detection and new treatment options, osteoporosis management can be monitored.
Institute For Women’s Health offers bone density scans at most of our locations.
Schedule you bone density scan by contacting our office.
