Is it valid or not that you are a woman age 65 years or older, a man age 70 years or older, or simply have a broken bone since age 50 years? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, you should consider talking to your medical practitioner about getting a bone mineral densitometry in any case called a bone density test.
But prior to making this bold stride in your life, it always pays off to have an insight into what is destined to come your way. Well, a bone density test is simply a measurement of how much mineral, for example, calcium, you have in your bones. The most common and most versatile test is with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).
More or less, this test is widely relied upon in diagnosing osteoporosis before you break a bone, helps in assessing your chances of breaking a bone from now on, and monitors the effectiveness of osteoporosis treatments. This test just requires a few minutes to do.
Moreover, you don’t need to undress, yet you should not have buttons or zippers in that frame of mind over your spine and hips. It is critical to note that the test is non-invasive and painless; no needles or instruments are placed through the skin or body. There is almost no radiation.
Everything necessary is to lie on a DXA table and follow the instructions of the technologist to see that you’re correctly positioned. Then, at that point, a movable arm passes above you to scan your bone. Despite the fact that it is quite easy for you, the tech of the scan and computer system is entirely sophisticated.
That leaves many wondering about who should accept the bone mineral densitometry. Well, this test is ideal for women age 65 years and older, men age 70 years and older, and any individual who has broken a bone after age 50 years. The situation are the same for women age 50-64 years with risk factors and men age 50-69 years with risk factors.
Among the most notable advantages of risk factors for osteoporosis and fractures include family history of osteoporosis and/or fracture, frequent falling, vitamin D deficiency, smoking, excessive alcohol intake, malabsorption, and a few medications like prednisone.
Remember many tests other than DXA can be used to assess your bone wellbeing. Some of them are not so widely used as DXA, yet they might provide valuable information beyond bone density, or assist with determining who needs a DXA.