Osteoporosis

Bone Density Testing
Osteoporosis is known as the “brittle bone disease” because it thins and weakens the bones to the point that they break easily - especially bones in the hip, spine and wrist. It is also called the “silent disease” since you may not notice any changes until a bone breaks.

Risk factors
Gender, Age, Slender build, Race, Family history, Estrogen deficiency, Low testosterone in men, Eating disorders, Diet low in calcium and/or vitamin D, Use of certain medications,Inactive lifestyle, Tobacco and alcohol use.

DEXA Scan
The Women’s Center offers Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry, or DEXA scanning, which is currently the most widely used method to measure bone mineral density. It is a totally painless, noninvasive procedure to measure bone mass and can be completed in less than 15 minutes.

If scanning is done in yearly intervals, DEXA can even determine your rate of bone loss and/or monitor the effects of your osteoporosis treatment. And all of this is performed with minimal radiation exposure.