Bone Dexascan

at 11:55AM, 1:55PM, and 3:55PM

Osteoporosis, the loss of bone density, is sometimes called a silent disease—it can often go undetected, even for years, until the condition becomes so severe that a bone fractures or breaks. However, modern day medicine had made this bone-wearing disease treatable and even preventable!

It’s up to us to win the battle against osteoporosis. To get you on your way, Suzanne volunteered herself for a Bone Dexa Scan, a brief examination that measures bone mineral density in the body. Dr. Warren Katz, Chief of Rheumatology at the Presbyterian Medical Center of Philadelphia, takes Suzanne through the examination step-by-step.

Tell Me More about Osteoporosis

Approximately 44 million men and women in the United States have or will someday have osteoporosis. Women are four times more likely to develop the disease than men, but it’s important for everyone to be bone-health-conscious.

As we age, our bones become weaker and thinner, and the greatest incidence of damage occurs in the hips, the wrists and the spine. Keep in mind, osteoporosis can strike at any age, but women over 65 and men over 75, in particular, are at high risk.

Women in their 20s and 30s have a substantial quantity of bone mass, and between age 30 and 40, this bone mass stabilizes. But after age 40, a slow process of bone loss begins and a Bone Dexa Scan is recommended to determine how severe that bone loss is, and what changes you may need to make. In addition, the National Osteoporosis Foundation recommends that all post-menopausal women be tested for bone density due to a distinct acceleration of bone loss due to estrogen loss.

Those who have a family history of osteoporosis, who are small in stature, smoke, or who have had previous fractures, are at greatest risk for developing the disease.

What to Expect

The common concerns of patients prior to having a Bone Dexa Scan examination are pain and disability. However, the scan is absolutely pain-free; in fact, it may be the simplest physical exam you’ll ever take. Unlike many other medical examinations, not much preparation is required.

Fasting is not necessary, and the procedure itself involves no injections, probing or exercise. You simply lie still on the examination table, wearing your own clothing, and the Bone Dexa Scan takes several x-rays of your body.

The Bone Dexa Scan measures your bone mineral density and compares your results to a reference population based on your age, weight, sex and ethnicity. Following the examination, your physician will ask you several medical-related questions and deliver an assessment based on your family history and test results.

Note: If you are pregnant, please first inform your physician, as is recommended in any medical procedure.

Milk Does Do a Body Good

If you want to maintain strong bones, you may have to make some lifestyle adjustments.

• Stop smoking.
• Do weight-bearing exercises, ideally 30 minutes a day, 3 or more days a week.
• Practice good nutrition—take Vitamin D, drink milk and consider calcium supplements. Your doctor may recommend a prescription medicine such as Fosamax.
• Check with your doctor for tips on sufficient calcium intake.
• Do your best to prevent falls and injury.

Remember, what you do today can help you live longer tomorrow.