Osteoporosis - called the "silent disease" - often does not produce symptoms until a fraction occurs. The bones most likely to break are the weightbearing hip and spine, and sometimes the forearm. Worldwide, a woman's lifetime risk of suffering a fracture due to osteoporosis may be as high as 40%.

In some countries, a woman's risk of hip fracture alone - the most severe and painful of osteoporotic fractures - equals her combined risk of developing breast, uterine or ovarian cancer. In short, the prevalence of osteoporosis has reached worldwide epidemic proportions.

Are you at risk?
Your chances of developing osteoporosis are greater if you are female and answer "yes" to any of the following questions:

Are you?

• Light skinned
• Thin or small framed
• Approaching or past menopause
• Milk intolerant or have a low calcium intake
• A cigarette smoker or drink alcohol in excess
• Taking thyroid medication or steroid - based drugs for asthma, arthritis or cancer

Do you have…?

• A family history of osteoporosis
• Chronic intestinal disorders
• A sedentary lifestyle

Today, doctors are better equipped to detect and treat bone loss in its earliest stages, so as to prevent the disease or lessen its impact. Also, several drugs therapies, now on the market, have been shown to be clinically effective in slowing down or reversing the bone-loss process.

Just as no physician would prescribe a medication for hypertension without first taking the patient's blood pressure, the diagnosis and the treatment of osteoporosis should begin with an objective, quantifiable measurement of the patient's bone mass or bone density.

Bone densitometry
Bone densitometry, using an advanced technology called DXA (short for Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry), safely accurately and painlessly measures bone density and the mineral content of bone. During a comprehensive bone evaluation with DXA, the patient lies comfortably still on the padded table while the DXA units scans one or more areas, usually the fracture-prone spine or the hip.

Unlike typical x-ray machines, radiation exposure during bone densitometry is extremely low - less than the radiation exposure during a coast-to-coast airline flight. The entire process takes only minutes to complete, depending on the number of sites scanned. It involves no injections or invasive procedures, and patients remain fully clothed.

Bone Densitometry using DXA

• Simple proven x-ray method
• Safe, low radiation
• Fast and comfortable, only takes minutes
• Easy …patient remains clothed
• Painless …non-invasive, no injections

Preparing for Bone Densitometry

Scanning

• Unless instructed otherwise by one of our clinicians, eat normally on the day of the exam; but avoid taking calcium supplements for at least 24 hours prior to your appointment.
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing. Sweat suits and other casual attire without zippers, buttons, grommets or any metal are preferred.
• You should not have had a barium study, radioisotope injection, oral or intravenous contrast material from a CT scan or MRI within seven days prior to your DXA test.
  

How DXA bone densitometry works

THE EQUIPMENT: DXA is a fast, convenient and precise way to measure bone density to determine a woman's risk of developing osteoporosis.

BONE DENSITY SCAN: Most common examination sites are the fracture-prone hip, spine and sometimes the forearm. Evaluation also includes measurement of height and weight, a thorough history, and risk assessment.

DATA ANALYSIS: Bone Mineral Density (BMD) is calculated and compared to normal BMD values, matched for age and sex, to confirm or exclude osteoporosis. A low BMD by DXA may predict the likelihood of developing osteoporosis and can help determine a treatment plan.

THE REPORT: The report consists of your bone density measurements, a comparison of your results against an extensive database of young, normal bone density values, a comparison of your results against a database of other patients your age and sex, and recommendations for treatment or prevention.

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