A doctor may typically determine bone density with the use of a DEXA scan. It might also be useful in figuring out the amount of fat and lean muscle in the body.
Two low-energy X-ray beams are used in the dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan. As a result, both soft tissue and bone can be seen in the image.
Because a DEXA scan may detect even minute changes in bone loss, it is typically more reliable than a standard X-ray when clinicians need to determine whether a patient has low bone density or whether the problem is getting worse.
What is Dexa Scan?
If a person has decreased bone density and is at a high risk of breaking, an X-ray near me or DEXA scan can reveal this information. Osteoporosis is a condition that thins and weakens bones. This might aid medical professionals in diagnosing and treating it.
Early detection and treatment of osteoporosis can prevent further deterioration and lower the risk of fractures.
A physician could arrange for a follow-up DEXA scan a few years after the initial one to check for any alterations. Because these scans can show whether the condition is improving, getting worse, or staying the same, they can assist determine how effective osteoporosis treatments are.
Physicians can also use the results to assess a patient’s risk of fractures. Additionally, DEXA scans may be regarded by medical professionals as more trustworthy than underwater weighing or other techniques for determining body fat percentage. The quantity of visceral fat, which the body accumulates around specific internal organs, can also be ascertained using the data.
Who Needs Dexa Scan?
It is for people with:
- Inadequate levels of estrogen
- Low body mass: 127 pounds or less
- A woman who broke her hip at any age doesn’t have to wait more than a year to become 42.
A DEXA scan may also be necessary for women under 65 and men under 70 if they smoke, have become shorter, or have a severe curvature of the upper back (thoracic kyphosis).
For anyone using medication that may impact their bone mineral density, a DEXA screening is also advised. Among these drugs include anticonvulsants and the anticoagulant chronic heparin.
A DEXA scan may also be necessary for women under 65 and men under 70 if they smoke, have become shorter, or have a severe curvature of the upper back (thoracic kyphosis). For anyone using medication that may impact their bone mineral density, a DEXA screening is also advised. Among these drugs include anticonvulsants and the anticoagulant chronic heparin.
How Does it Work?
Two X-rays with various energies are used in the DEXA scan to determine bone density. Low-energy X-rays are used. A DEXA scan is less expensive and takes less time than other scans that can be used to screen for bone health issues.
Before Test
Your height and weight may be measured by a medical professional prior to the scan. You will be instructed to either sit up straight next to the table or lie on the padded scanner surface for the scan. Your legs will either be straight out or resting on a padded box if you are lying down. You could also bend your hip inward by placing your foot in a gadget.
During The Test
An instrument that forms a big C-shape is located above and below the table. To take pictures of any portion of the body that a medical professional requests to be tested, two scanning devices operate concurrently. The device will also scan your full body if you have a DEXA scan to determine the composition of your muscles and fat.
During the scan, the medical professional can urge you to hold your breath for a short while. You must remain motionless when the scanner captures the photographs. The exam typically takes fifteen to twenty minutes.
After The Test
After an X-ray near me or a Dexa scan, the photos are transferred to the technician’s computer, where a medical professional subsequently views them. Your scan results and recommendations for any necessary therapy or other testing will be sent to you by your provider after the scan.
Risks and Precautions
In general, DEXA scans are regarded as safe. The radiation exposure is negligible and on par with ambient radiation from daily life.
Pregnant women are not advised to undergo the test despite the low radiation exposure. This is due to the fact that radiation, even at low levels, can be harmful to an unborn child. If you are pregnant or suspect you might be pregnant, see a medical professional.
Additionally, there is a tiny chance that the scan will result in cancer down the road. All people are exposed to some level of radiation in their daily lives, but further exposure, like that from imaging tests, can slightly raise the risk of cancer. The elevated danger is comparable to that of a standard X-ray. To compare the advantages of a DEXA scan against the threat of radiation exposure, speak with a healthcare professional.
Conclusion
An imaging test called a DEXA scan, or bone mineral density scan, can be performed to assess the condition of your bones and assist in the diagnosis of osteopenia and osteoporosis. The scan takes pictures of the hip, spine, and wrist using two low-energy X-rays.
DEXA scans have the potential to be a step in the identification or treatment of disorders like malabsorption since they can assess the amount of muscle and fat in specific body parts. Speak with your healthcare practitioner about the rationale behind the DEXA scan order, what steps you should take to get ready, and potential treatment options based on the results.
