Osteoporosis Screening

Osteoporosis is not only the most common type of bone disease, but it also leads to a great number of debilitating and costly complications. Osteoporosis leads to brittle, fragile bones that are more prone to fractures, even without injury. It also leads to loss of height as we age. Women over the age of 50 and men over the age of 70 are particularly susceptible to osteoporosis. Additionally, some of the conditions listed below place an individual at increased risk for the development of osteoporosis:

• Being Confined to Bed
• Chronic Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Chronic Kidney Disease
• Eating Disorders
• Steroid Medication
• Absence of Menstrual Periods for an Extended Amount of Time
• Large Alcohol Consumption
• Family History of Osteoporosis
• Low Body Weight
• Smoking
• Hyperparathyroidism
• Too Little Calcium in Diet

THE GOOD NEWS . . . OSTEOPOROSIS IS TREATABLE AND IN MANY CASES PREVENTABLE.

Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA), is considered the most accurate test for measuring bone density. A DXA scan can determine if you have osteoporosis or are at risk of developing osteoporosis. The DXA scan is an x-ray scan that uses a small amount of radiation to take pictures of different bones. These pictures are usually taken of your spine, hip, or wrist bones. The scan is a painless procedure, which takes only about 10 minutes. During the procedure you will lie on a table and a machine will pass over your body, taking measurements of your bone density. The amount of radiation is less than 1/10 of a standard chest X-ray.

WE OFFER SAME DAY APPOINTEMENTS FOR DXA SCANS!

Ask your doctor or his/her nurse if a DXA scan could benefit you!