FAQ about the Bone Density Test Fort Lauderdale FL
FAQ about the Bone Density Test
Without bones, the human body would simply not be able to exist. Bones are the frame of the body, after all. As a woman ages, there are various things that can happen to her bones. Frequent pregnancies, menopause, and other things can deplete the amount of calcium in the bones, which in turn could lead to osteoporosis.
So, in order to detect and prevent osteoporosis, it is very important that a woman who has reached middle age gets a bone density scan. In order to understand the importance of a bone density scan, it is important to first gain a better understanding of what osteoporosis is.
Osteoporosis is a bone disease the strips away the calcium in bones. The result is very brittle bones that can break easily. In fact, for those who have severe osteoporosis, sometimes just sneezing is enough to break a rib. However, once the bone density scan detects lower calcium levels in the bones, the patient will most likely be prescribed dietary supplements, a diet that is rich in calcium, or even certain kinds of exercises.
Something that many women middle aged and older are probably curious about is the symptoms that a woman might have that would indicate significant potential for osteoporosis. Excessive alcohol consumption, an Asian or Caucasian background, smoking, a small, thin body frame, and a lifestyle that is not particularly active are all indicators.
Particularly stubborn women might actually decide to avoid getting a bone density scan because they think that their bones are fine. Actually osteoporosis moves slowly at first, so the woman is probably unaware that she even has it. Something else to consider is that one of the worst bone breaks that osteoporosis can cause is a hip fracture. Usually, this requires surgery, and a long period of time spent in a wheelchair. Why should a woman subject herself to this if it can easily be prevented?
How does this kind of scan work? Specialized x ray technology is used to scan bones that place a particular emphasis on weight bearing for various calcium levels. These levels are then analyzed by a doctor and compared to healthy calcium levels for a woman of the patient's similar body type. In order to maintain healthy bones, it is recommended that this scan be done every two to three years.
If a woman is in her fifties and has not yet gotten this kind of a scan, it is because the usually age to start getting this scan is sixty five. It is important to note that some men are also at risk for osteoporosis, especially if they are undergoing certain medical treatments such as chemotherapy.
On the day of the scan, the patient should arrive wearing loose fitting clothing that they consider to be comfortable. The clothing should be free of any metal such as buttons or zippers, and the patient will need to stay completely still while the machine is scanning. The radiation that is used in this procedure is minimal, and the scan itself will last anywhere from twenty to thirty minutes.