Osteoporosis:
Osteoporosis is a bone disease causing low bone mass and resulting in increased
fragility and susceptibility to fractures. Signs of osteoporosis include
loss of height, spine curvature, shortened waist, back pain and fractures.
According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, a young adult age 20
to 30 years is assumed to have peak bone mass.
Today, Osteoporosis affects 25 million Americans, resulting in 700,000
spine fractures and 300,000 broken hips each year. Women are more prone
to developing osteoporosis than men. One out of every four women older than
45 years has progressive loss of bone mass that results in fractures. During
menopause, a woman's body produces less of the female hormone estrogen,
which can cause up to 50 percent bone loss in the first six years.
Risk Factors:
- American, Caucasian or Asian nationality
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Thin or petite body frame
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Cigarette smoking
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High consumption of caffeine or alcohol
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Sedentary lifestyle
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Low dietary intake of calcium
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Chronic diseases including diabetes
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Eating disorders
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Certain medicines, steroids and seizure medications
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Chemotherapy
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Hyperthyroidism
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Intestinal malabsorption
Only about 50 percent of women with Osteoporosis have significant risk
factors. Osteoporosis is often a silent disease until fracture occurs.
Bone Densitometry
Bone densitometry, or DEXA (dual energy x-ray absorptiometry),
is an exam that detects early bone loss by measuring bone mineral density
with a low-dose radiation (less than one-tenth of a single view chest x-ray).
The x-ray is composed of two energy levels, which are absorbed differently
by the bones in the body. A computer is able to determine the quantity of
bone mineral present from the amount of x-ray absorption. The spine and
hip are the most common sites of measurement.
The bone densitometer is like a large examination table,
padded and comfortable. Your name, age, height, weight and ethnicity will
be entered into the computer before your test. This information is used
to compare your results to a normal reference group. You will be asked to
lie on your back, remaining in your normal clothing in most cases. Belt
buckles, metal or thick plastic buttons, and metal jewelry will need to
be removed from the region being examined. The operator will position your
arms and legs for the test.
Reasons for Bone Densitometry:
The needs for bone densitometry vary somewhat depending on the physician
and/or medical provider. General reasons for the procedure include:
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Assessment of asymptomatic perimenopausal women to determine if therapy
is indicated
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Diagnosis of osteoporosis in patients with signs of osteoporosis on
radiographs
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Assessment of bone mass in patients with diseases or medications known
to cause bone loss
-
Assessment of bone mass prior to alternate therapy forpatients unable
to tolerate estrogen replacement therapy (i.e. patients with breast
cancer or thrombophlebis)
-
Monitoring treatment efficacy
Length of procedure:
The procedure lasts for approximately 45 minutes.
Preparation prior to procedure:
There are no injections or oral preparations.
Post exam instructions:
No special instructions.
