If you are looking for What is a DEXA bone scan used for? Bones are crucial for the well-being of the individual and play a significant role in numerous functions. Bones assists to offer the body structure support, assists to store significant minerals such as calcium and phosphorus, assists to guard body organs. But over time and because of numerous health conditions or diet bone density loses with time and causes different abnormalities concerning bones.
Bone DEXA Scan
Bone DEXA scan is a harmless and non-invasive scan employed to quantify bone density in the body. The scan employs a beam of X-rays for quantification of bone density. Initially, tiny bean of X-rays are captured by soft tissues and other rays by bones. Comparing these beams of X-rays, we can compare and find out the density of bones in a patient. Bone density is what assists in the identification of whether the individual is of normal bone density or of osteopenia (minimal bone loss) or osteoporosis (extensive bone loss).
How the Bone DEXA Scan Functions
The scanning lasts approximately 15 to 20 minutes with the patient lying on a flat table. A scanning machine with arm structure moves over the patient and scans the body. The patients must keep calm since disturbance can cause blur images. X-ray beams are utilized in searching for the density of bones within the body. Information derived is used to measure in T-score and Z-score.
Applications of Bone DEXA Scan
Diagnoses Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is one of the primary applications of Bone Dexa and other bone density related disorders of the body. Weak and low density bones are susceptible to fracture, bone fracture and weak. The scan also aids in helping the physician to understand the condition of bones and treatment needed to cure the disease.
Tracking Bone Health Over Time
Bone DEXA scan is also employed to track the osteoporosis treatment. Ongoing checking of the bone condition can aid in searching for any improvement in density and aid in searching for treatment effect. Regular monitoring aids in deciding whether treatment should be continued or ceased as bone strength has been regained.
Evaluating Fracture Risk
This scan is also beneficial to decide or foretell whether the fracture risk is increased or decreased. Small alterations in bone density can alter the bone strength which contributes to evaluating the bone strength.
Assessing the Impact of Medications
There are several drugs, which have an effect on the bone density of the individual and Bone DEXA is useful in deciding the preventive strategy needed to preserve bone density.
Post-Menopausal Bone Loss Assessment
Bone strength reduction may occur in women after menopause and women may suffer from rapid reduction in bone strength. Bone DEXA is useful in devising preventive strategies to avoid further loss.
Who Should Receive a Bone DEXA Scan?
Bone DEXA is advisable in the patients such as:
- Age-old women over the age of 65 years.
- Age-old men over the age of 70 years.
- Postmenopausal woman.
- Fracture or trauma patients
- Patient on medications, which affect bone density
- People having diseases such as arthritis, hyperthyroidism, chronic kidney disease etc.
Advantages of Bone DEXA Scan
- Precise and accurate measurement of bone density
- Aids in early detection of conditions such as osteoporosis
- Can identify fracture susceptible conditions
- The procedure is non-invasive and painless
- Low dose of radiation exposure
- Helpful in monitoring progress of bone treatments
- Aids in tailoring the treatment according to condition of individual
Conclusion
Bone DEXA is a most recent and common test for the identification of bone health. The test is useful in identifying whether the osteoporosis condition exists or not. The test takes tiny beans of X-rays for the identification of abnormalities in the body. What is a DEXA bone scan used for? Bones assist to give the body its structural support, assists to store vital minerals such as calcium and phosphorus, assists to protect body organs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the Bone DEXA test used for?
Bone DEXA test is used to look for bone density in patients.
Q. Can I drink water before my DEXA scan?
Yes you can drink water before dexa scan
Q. What should you never do before getting a DEXA bone scan?
Before a DEXA bone scan, never have calcium supplements or some medical imaging studies, as they can lead to inaccuracies in the test results.
Q. Can a DEXA scan show arthritis?
No, dexa scan cannot directly show
Q. How to make a DEXA scan more accurate
To maximize the accuracy of a DEXA scan, you need to prioritize patient preparation, maintaining consistency in the testing environment and procedures, and both the technician and analyzing physician’s expertise.
