What Is Bone Densitometry (DEXA)?
DEXA (Bone Density) is a safe, painless and highly accurate aid to physicians in the diagnosis of osteoporosis.

DEXA is the standard examination for assessment of patients who may be considered at risk for the development of osteoporosis. It also helps the Physician in monitoring those patients undergoing treatment for the disease.

The DEXA exam uses laser and computer images to produce which are needed for the Radiologist to make a diagnosis of Osteoporosis.The Radiologist also uses the patients height, weight, age, and ethnic group in conjunction with these images to determine the fracture risk a patient may have in the future. Bone Density exams are usually started at the age of 50 there might be some circumstances, that the exam would be done earlier including: family history, medication, a patients fracture history, and if a hysterectomy was done at an early age.

Good news for patients!
This is probably the easiest medical exam you will have. A patient lies on an open padded table, relaxes, breaths normally and lets the Technologist and machine do all the work. A total exam takes about fifteen minutes.

How to prepare

Osteoporosis does also occur in men! Osteoporosis and osteoporosis related fractures are usually considered "women's disease," happening only to post menopausal or elderly women, but these problems do occur in men, as well.

Among those risk factors for osteoporosis in men are: increasing age, hereditary, race, lifestyle habits (smoking, excessive alcohol consumption). Also, some chronic diseases and certain medications put men at higher risk of developing osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis Facts
Osteoporosis A disease characterized by low bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue, leading to bone fragility and an increased susceptibility to fractures of the hip, spine and wrist.

Osteoporosis Prevalence
Osteoporosis is a major public health threat for more than 28 million Americans.

80% of those affected are women. 8 million American women and 2 million men have osteoporosis. 18 million more individuals have low bone mass, placing them at an increased risk for osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is responsible for approximately 1.5 million fractures annually: including 300,000 hip fractures, 700,000 vertebral fractures, 250,000 wrist fractures and 300,000 fractures at other sites.

One in two women and one in eight men over 50 will have an osteoporosis related fracture in their lifetime.


Symptoms
Osteoporosis is often called the "silent disease" because bone loss occurs without symptoms. People may not know that they have osteoporosis until their bones become so weak that a sudden strain, bump or fall causes a fracture or vertebra to collapse.

Collapsed vertebra may be detected by severe back pain, loss of height or spinal deformities such as stooped posture.

Detection
Safe, quick, comfortable and precise bone densitometry testing can detect low bone density before a fracture occurs and predict the chance of fracturing in the future. If testing is conducted at intervals of a year or more, it can be used to determine the rate of bone loss and/or monitor the effects of treatment.

Prevention
By about age 20, the average woman has acquired 98% of her skeletal mass. Building strong bones during childhood and adolescence can be the best defense against developing osteoporosis later. A good prevention program includes a balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, weight bearing exercise, a healthy nonsmoking life-style with limited alcohol intake, bone density testing and medication when appropriate.

Common Risk Factors for Osteoporosis

• 50 or older Being female
• Thin and / or small frame
• Advanced age
• Family history if osteoporosis
• Post menopause, including early or surgically induced menopause
• Abnormal absence of menstrual periods
• Eating disorders
• A diet low in calcium
• Use of certain medications, such a steroids
• Low testosterone in men
• Inactive life-style
• Cigarette smoking
• Excessive use of alcohol