Bone Density

A fast, easy and pain-free method to test your bone health is by having a bone-density test. If you are a woman in post-menopause and less than 65 years of age it is recommended by US governmental health agencies due to risk factors being high for osteoporosis. A physician can help test and analyze your overall bone-health needs, including the usage of prescription drugs, which may assist in curing and stopping postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Bone density testing is used to evaluate the bone's overall strength and the prossiblity of a fracture in persons at risk for osteoporosis. The test, referred to as bone densitometry or bone mineral density scan (BMD), is a easy non-invasive method that only consists of a few minutes.

What is osteoporosis? Osteoporosis is a condition whereby the bones mass is less dense than it should normally be so in essence they are functioning at a below average strength when compared to a normal bone. Osteoporosis raises the chances bone fracture with even minor accidents or activities,like a slip, a fall and even something so minor as a cough or sneeze. Unfortunately, most persons commonly are not aware they have osteoporosis until either they have a fracture or have a bone density test by their physician to see if it exists in their bones. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, osteoporosis and low bone mass affect approximately 44 million Americans. About 25 percent have osteoporosis, and the people with low bone mass will have a higher chance of developing osteoporosis. Women contract osteoporosis at a rate of four times more than men to develop the disease. Other risk factors that contribute are old age, family history, small and thin body types, an inactive lifestyle, smoking, alcohol, and use of certain medications.

There is no current cure for osteoporosis but there are measure to prevent it from happening such as building up strong bones in early adulthood and having a routine exercise program Exercise that is suggested are ones such as weight resistance which include walking, jogging, tennis, racketball, climbing stairs and hiking. 

• Get your daily recommended amounts of calcium and vitamin D
• Keep active with regular exercise and weight-resistance program
• Avoid smoking and drinking large amonts of alcohol
• Talk to your healthcare provider about bone health
• Consider a bone density exam and take any prescribed medication

American College of Radiology, American Heart Association, American Association of Physicists in Medicine, Commercial Sites Montgomery CT Scan Apache Junction Scan Center Casa Grande Scan Center Phoenix Scan Center Beverly Hills Scan Center Newport Beach Scan Center Orange Scan Center Sacramento Scan Center Santa Barbara Scan Center Walnut Creek Scan Center