Osteoporosis makes bones weak and prone to fracture. People who have osteoporosis have bones that can break with even the mildest impact. For example, people with osteoporosis can break a bone just from a minor fall, such as tripping on a loose rug in the living room. Women’s Excellence now offers bone density testing to help diagnose osteoporosis, predict fractures, and monitor response to treatment.
Women’s Excellence uses a Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) machine to measure bone density. This machine is considered the most highly developed and most thoroughly validated technique for assessing bone mineral density, according to the World Health Organization’s report on the “Prevention and Management of Osteoporosis.”
“Our DEXA screenings are a key tool in preventative medicine, as these scans are usually performed to test bone density and look for signs of osteoporosis or osteopenia,” says Dr. Jonathan Zaidan, MD, FACOG, President of Women’s Excellence. “Patients diagnosed with these conditions early enough can discuss with their providers options for treatment.”
The National Osteoporosis Foundation recommends a bone density scan for postmenopausal women over the age of 50, men age 50 and older with risk factors, and for individuals who have experienced a broken bone after the age of 50. A DEXA screen is a painless exam which uses two low-radiation X-ray beams to measure the density of bones. Patients undergoing this screening rest on an open X-ray table while the DEXA unit takes measurements, often anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes in duration.
Along with age, there are many other risk factors that could lead to bone loss or fracture; Body weight less than 127 pounds, family history of osteoporosis or fragility fracture, personal history of fracture in adulthood, low calcium and Vitamin D intake, little or no weight-bearing exercise, current cigarette smoking, significant alcohol intake, lack of estrogen, and use of high-risk medications.
Women’s Excellence also offers on-site laboratory analysis of calcium, vitamin D, and thyroid hormone levels that can affect bone quality.
If you are experiencing weakness, menopausal symptoms, or if you have any risk factors that could lead to bone loss, call Women’s Excellence today to get your bone density screening!