As you become older, your bones can become weaker and more fragile. This can lead to osteoporosis and other conditions that cause bone loss. Osteoporosis is a condition that often affects women after menopause, but may also be found in men. Osteoporosis involves the gradual loss of calcium, as well as structural changes causing bones to become thinner and more likely to break. The extent of this condition can be determined with our specialized diagnostic systems.
Bone densitometry is an enhanced form of x-ray technology that is used to measure bone loss and assess an individual's risk of developing fractures. The bone densitometry machine sends a thin, invisible beam of low-dose x-rays through the bones being exmined. The bone densitometry machine then used special software to compute a patient's bone mineral density measurement. The risk of fracture is affected by age, body weight, history of prior fracture, family history of osteoporotic fractures, and life style issues such as cigarette smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
Bone density testing is strongly recommended if you:
- Are a post-menopausal woman and not taking estrogen
- Have a personal or maternal history of hip fracture
- Are a post-menopausal woman who is over 5 feet 7 inches, or under 125 pounds
- Are a man with clinical conditions associated with bone loss
- Use medications that are known to cause bone loss, including corticosteroids such as Prednisone, various anti-seizure medications such as Dilantin and certain barbiturates Have diabetes, liver disease or kidney disease
Please wear loose fitting clothing with no metal zippers, buttons, or belt buckles. On the day of the exam, please bring a list of all medications and dosages you routinely take and the day of your last menstrual cycle or year of hysterectomy. Do not take calcium, Pepto Bismol, or antacid for 24 hours prior to you exam. The exam will take approximately 30 minutes.
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