Osteoporosis and the Importance of a Dexa Scan
Osteoporosis is a “silent disease.” Most people don’t know they have it until a painful fracture occurs. Osteoporosis causes 2 million broken bones each year, and 1 out of 2 women (and 1 out of 4 men) will break a bone due to osteoporosis. It is important to take action before a fracture occurs.
Osteopenia, the precursor to osteoporosis, is low bone density; bones are becoming weak compared to others of the same age. Treatment and proper nutrition can help prevent the condition from progressing to osteoporosis. People with osteoporosis have even lower bone density than those with osteopenia. Osteoporosis leaves bones fragile and even minor falls may cause bone fractures! Fractures can also cause further significant health problems. If you have osteoporosis or osteopenia, you should work with a healthcare provider to decide on the best treatment plan.
What is a DEXA Scan and Why is it Important?
A DEXA scan measures bone strength and is the “gold standard” for osteoporosis screening and diagnosis. A DEXA scan can be ordered by the Wellness Center, your PCP, or your gynecologist.
A DEXA scan is a quick, painless way to check your bone health. It’s similar to an x-ray, but measures the strength of your bones instead of just taking pictures of them.
How does a DEXA work and what will the results tell me?
Here’s how a bone density scan works:
You’ll lie on a special x-ray table
A radiologic technician will help position your body. They might put foam blocks under or around you to hold your legs in a certain position
The technician will pass a scanning arm over your body to take pictures of your bones. Typically, you will get scans of your hips and spine, but may also get other bones scanned too.
A bone density test usually lasts around 30 minutes, but your test could be longer or shorter depending on how many of your bones need to be scanned
The results of a DEXA scan will show how dense your bones are. The results will give you a “T-score” which is a score that compares your bone density to that of a healthy person in their 20s or 30s. The closer to zero your T-score is (including a positive number), the stronger your bones are.
Greater than -1: Healthy or “normal” bone density
Between -1 and -2.5: Osteopenia, or “low bone density”
-2.5 or lower: Osteoporosis
Final Thoughts
Osteoporosis can be symptom free until a painful fracture occurs, which is why early detection is key. A DEXA scan is a simple and effective way to understand your bone health. Whether you’re at risk or simply looking to stay ahead of your health, talk to your healthcare provider about scheduling a DEXA scan. It’s a small step that can make a big difference in protecting your bones.
At the Wellness Center for Bone and Joint Health, we offer a FREE simplified version of a DEXA scan, while not as complete as a regular DEXA scan, it will still give you useful information on your bone density and overall health.
