Bone Density Testing (DEXA)
Osteoporosis is a disease in which makes bones become fragile and weak and therefore more prone to fracture. Osteoporosis affects 54 million Americans, mostly women. Studies show that one in two women and one in four men age 50 and older will break a bone due to Osteoporosis. The condition is treatable and may be preventable. People need to know their risk for osteoporosis and talk to their doctors about diagnosis, prevention and treatment. There are two ways to find out if you have osteoporosis: by fracturing a bone or by getting a bone density test (DEXA).
Osteoporosis Risk Factors:
- Age — increased age, increased risk.
- Gender — females greater than male.
- Family history.
- Race — Caucasian, Asian, greater than Hispanic, African-American.
- Bodyweight — low body weight, increased risk.
- Menopause.
- Lifestyle — cigarettes, excess alcohol, increased risk.
- Medications — steroids, certain anti-seizure medications, etc.
Who Should Undergo Bone Density Testing:
- All postmenopausal females, females with history of premature menopause.
- Patients with an unexplained fracture.
- Patients on medications which increase risk of osteoporosis such as steroids.
- Patients considering hormone replacement therapy or other treatment for osteoporosis.
- Osteoporosis on radiographs.
- History of osteoporosis, follow up of treatment for osteoporosis.
Prevention of Osteoporosis:
- Eat a balanced diet rich in calcium and Vitamin D.
- Take daily multivitamins and calcium supplements.
- Do weight-bearing exercise.
- Reduce smoking and alcohol intake.
- Hormone replacement therapy and medications may also be indicated. Discuss medical treatment options with your referring physician.
- Avoid unsafe conditions which can lead to falls and fractures.
- Discuss your medications and their effect on your bone density with your referring physician.
- Bone density testing is recommended to know where you stand as far as bone health.
Before the exam:
- There is no special preparation. You may eat normally.
- There is no need to disrobe if you wear clothes without buttons, zippers or other metals. Loose-fitting clothes such as workout outfits, sweatpants, and sweatshirts are recommended.
- You should not have this exam if you have had any kind of barium study within the last week.
- You will be asked to fill out a questionnaire prior to your scan to help your radiologist in interpreting your bone density test.
The test will take approximately 15-20 minutes. You will be lying on your back throughout your exam. The actual scanning of the spine, hips and wrists only takes a few minutes. The exam is painless with no injections. Your exam will be reviewed by our radiologist who specializes in bone density interpretations and results will be sent to your referring physician.
