Dexa Scanning

What is a DEXA scanner?
A Dexa scanner is a machine that measures bone density in only a matter of inutes. Once density is measured, physicians can recommend appropriate treament and then monitor patients' progress as the bones respond to treatment. The goal of inreasing bone density is to lessen the risk for fractures.

Dexa scanning is a service available at Columbia Park Medical Group's Fridley Clinic.

What is Osteoporosis?
Bone is living tissue that needs to regenerate continuously. During your youth your bones are growing faster than bone loss. Peak bone mass is during early adulthood. After that point your bone growth is less than bone loss and your bone becomes less dense and weaker. Symptoms of osteoporosis do not occur until a substantial amount of bone strength is lost. The most visible symptoms may include loss of height and a curvature in the upper back. Fractures in the hip and/or spine are the most common to occur in patients that have osteoporosis.

How do I know if I have osteoporosis?
You are not aware that you have osteoporosis until the symptoms strat to appear. The first signs you might see are loss of height and rounded shoulders. You may also experience hip and back pain. Your doctor may order a bone density measurement to determine if you have osteoporosis.

How does bone density measurement work?
The densitometer uses small amounts of x-ray to produce images of your forearm, hips, and or lower spine. These areas are the most common for fracture. This x-ray beam is comprised of two different energy levels that are absorbed differently by the bone. These images are produced in a computer that is able to measure the bone density that is present in your bone. The technical term for the scan is DEXA, which stands for “dual energy x-ray absorptiometry.”

How safe is the test?
Even though x-rays are used to produce the images the amount of x-ray used is only about the 1/10 the amount of a chest x-ray. Most other x-ray procedures have higher doses of x-ray .

Recommended calcium intake
Source: National Academy of Sciences

There are small amounts of calcium in most of the foods we eat. At average we consume 250-350 milligrams not counting the following foods:

Risk Factors for Osteoporosis:
There are several risk factors that can contribute to osteoporosis. Here is a list of the most common:

• Being female
• Thin and small boned
• Previous fractures
• Family history
• Cigarette smoking
• Excessive use of alcohol
• Inactive lifestyle
• A diet low in calcium
• Anorexia nervosa
• Estrogen deficiency
• Advanced age
• Prolonged use of certain medications including steroids and anti-convulsives
• Vitamin D deficiency

How to prepare for a Dexa scanning test:
The day of the test you should dress in clothing that does not have buttons, zippers, or any other thick plastic or metal. If you do you will be asked to change. You will be asked questions about your name, age, weight, height, and ethnicity. This information will be entered into the computer before your test begins. This information is used to compare your results with a normal reference group. The technologist will have you lie on your back for the examination on a padded examination table. The technologist will position your arms and legs for the test, which is painless and typically takes a just a few minutes. You need to lie still and breathe normally for the test.

Test results are available to your physician the next business day.

Other Sources of Information

The National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) is a leading source of information about osteoporosis and bone measurement. The NOF can be contacted at:

National Osteoporosis Foundation
1150 17 th St. NW, Suite 500
Washington, D.C. 20036-4603
(202) 223-2226
www.nof.org

The local Dairy Council has recipes and other information about calcium:

Midwest Dairy Council
2015 Rice Street
St. Paul, MN 55113
(651) 488-0261
www.midwestdairy.org

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