RMR TESTING FOR WEIGHT LOSS: LEARN ABOUT YOUR METABOLISM

treating osteoporosis

You may think of your bones as being stable and unchanging, but actually, bone is constantly being resorbed and replaced with new cells. As people age, they often lose bone more quickly than they can replace it, so their bones can become porous and brittle. This bone loss can lead to a disorder called osteoporosis. In this blog, we’ll cover the importance of bone density testing and the role they play in treating osteoporosis. 

What Is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is defined as reduced bone mass and poor bone quality. People who have the disorder have bones that can break from mild impact, such as a minor fall. Fractures of the spine and hip can lead to chronic pain, deformity, depression, disability, and even death. Osteoporosis does not cause any symptoms, so often people do not know they have the condition until they break a bone. That’s where bone density tests come in.

Bone Density Testing and Treating Osteoporosis

Bone density tests, or DEXA scans, measure how strong the bones are. Healthcare providers use these tests to both screen for and diagnose osteoporosis. The tests can alert you to problems with your bones before you experience a fracture. Testing your bone density is the only way to diagnose and begin treating osteoporosis. 

The scan generally takes 10 to 20 minutes, and involves a low amount of radiation. For the results of your scan, you’ll get a T-score that shows how much higher or lower your bone density is than that of a healthy 30-year-old, the age when bones are at their strongest. The lower your score, the weaker your bones are. 

Who Should Get a DEXA Scan?

When it comes to treating osteoporosis, the earlier you get a diagnosis the better to prevent serious complications. Healthcare providers recommend bone density testing for people who are at least 65 years old, particularly women, who are more at risk. Other risk factors include smoking, low body weight, arthritis, and a family history of bone fracture. You will undergo multiple DEXA scans while treating osteoporosis, with the results of the follow-up tests used to monitor the effects of the treatment. 

Schedule a Done Density Test

Bone density scans are crucial to assessing your fracture risk, as well as diagnosing and treating osteoporosis. It’s important to catch the disorder in its early stages, before you break a bone. If you meet multiple risk factors or suspect you have low bone density, schedule a test today.

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