Many people, particularly women between the ages of 50 and men over the age of 70 years, are prone to osteoporosis. You may have heard of bone densitometry and other exams, and to alleviate any problems regarding any of these things, we will investigate the disease, how it is diagnosed and mention some possible treatments.
Oteoporosis and its causes
Osteoporosis is a disease that causes gradual loss of calcium, as well as structural changes in bone is that bones become thin and brittle and are more likely to break even from mild trauma.
Studies show that about 1 in 5 American women over the age of 50 have osteoporosis. About half of all women over the age of 50 will have a fracture of the hip, wrist, or vertebra (bones of the spine ).
Decreased levels of estrogen women experience during menopause, as well as the decline in testosterone in older men, are the main causes for the disease. Not surprisingly, women aged over 50 and men above 70 years are more likely to suffer from osteoporosis.
Other causes include:
Lightweight
smoking
Lack of vitamin D
Lack of calcium in the diet
Taking corticosteroid medications
Bone Densitometry
If you have a family history of osteoporosis or have one of the above risk factors, your doctor may suggest a bone density test. If it turns out you have osteoporosis, your doctor will probably prescribe a treatment helps to improve bone health and strength. Treatments may include medication, exercise, and vitamin or mineral supplements.
Now, there is no need to take care of themselves examination. These tests are completely painless, and does not usually require you to go into a claustrophobia-inducing chamber (such as CT or MRI). They are also only takes about 10 minutes up to half an hour.
In most tests, you can stay fully clothed and lying on the desk pad scanner passes over the lower spine and hip.
Further tests (as well as peripheral DEXA) scanning only the density of bones of the wrist, fingers, legs or heels.
In any case, all you need to do is remove all jewelry, probably off and do medical gown and lie or sit still during the scan. Of course, if you are pregnant or have any other medical treatment recently, you should notify your doctor beforehand.
Bone density scan examination of bone mineral density of the commonly used x-ray technology to achieve and accurate method called dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) only emits about 1 / 10 radiation is used in a typical x-ray examination of the chest.
Central DEXA scanning requires that the lens while the majority of the body is scanned, a peripheral DEXA scans only small parts, such as the wrist, foot or heel.
Although there are other methods of performing the examination of bone density, such as ultrasound, CT and even, most major medical manufacturers to produce machines that operate with the x-ray technology.
Of course, research is important in helping patients learn about their condition, but as always, it is best to discuss all your medical problems with a licensed physician.
