Bones are important for the well being of the person and plays important role in various functions. Bones help to provide the structural support to the body, helps to store important minerals like calcium and phosphorus, it...
Bones are important for the well being of the person and plays important role in various functions. Bones help to provide the structural support to the body, helps to store important minerals like calcium and phosphorus, it also helps to protect organs of the body. But with time and due to various medical conditions or diet the density of bone losses with time and leads to various abnormalities related to bones. One of the tests used to detect bone abnormalities is Bone Dexa scan. This is the short form of Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry, a painless quick tests used to detect the bone density. This also helps to look for various bone related abnormalities.
Bone DEXA Scan
Bone DEXA scan is non-invasive and safe scan used to measure the density of bones in the body. The scan uses beam of X-rays for the measurement of density of bones. First a small bean of X-rays is absorbed by soft tissues and other rays by bones. Taking the comparison of these beams of X-rays, we can compare and determine the density of bones in a patient. The density of bones helps to determine whether the person is normal bone density or having osteopenia (mild bone loss) or osteoporosis (significant bone loss)
How the Bone DEXA Scan Works
The scan usually takes around 15 to 20 minutes with patient being laid on table flat. Scanning machine having arm structure passes over the patient and scans the body. Patients need to remain still because disturbance can lead to blur images. X-ray beams are used to look for the density of bones in the body. The data obtained is used to calculate in T-score and Z-score.
- T-score: Compares your bone density with that of a healthy young adult of the same sex.
- Z-score: Compares your bone density with that of someone your age and body size.
T-score interpretation:
- Above -1.0: Normal bone density
- Between -1.0 and -2.5: Osteopenia (mild bone loss)
- Below -2.5: Osteoporosis
Uses of Bone DEXA Scan
A Bone DEXA scan is useful for several diagnostic and preventive purposes.
1. Helps to diagnose Osteoporosis
Diagnosis of osteoporosis is one of the main uses of Bone Dexa and other bone density related conditions of the body. Having weak and low density bones makes them prone to fractures, bone breaks and weak. The scan also helps the doctor to under the condition of bones and treatment required to cure the condition.
2. Monitoring Bone Health over Time
Bone DEXA scan is also used to monitor the treatment for osteoporosis. Continuous monitoring of the bone health can helps to look for any density improvement and help to look for the effect of treatment. Constant monitoring helps to determine whether to continue the treatment or stop the treatment as bone strength has regained.
3. Assessing Fracture Risk
This scan is very helpful to determine or predict whether the risk of fracture is more or less. Small changes in bone density can change the bone strength which helps to determine the bone strength. This bone scan is helpful in determine the amount of calcium, vitamin D etc. needed for bone strength.
4. Evaluating the Effects of Medications
There are various medications, which can affect the bone density of the person and Bone DEXA is helpful in determining the preventive measures required to save bone density.
5. Assessing Post-Menopausal Bone Loss
There can be bone strength decline in women after menopause and women can experience sharp decline in the bone strength. Bone DEXA is helpful in creating preventive measures to prevent the further loss.
Who Should Get a Bone DEXA SCAN?
Bone DEXA is recommended in the patients like:
- Old age women above 65 years of age.
- Older men above 70 years of age.
- Postmenopausal women.
- Patients with trauma or fractures
- Patient taking medications, which impact bone density
- Person with conditions like arthritis, hyperthyroidism, chronic kidney condition etc.
Benefits of Bone DEXA Scan
- Accurate and reliable measurement of bone density
- Helps to detect conditions like osteoporosis early
- Can detect fracture prone conditions
- The test is non-invasive and painless
- Minimal radiation exposure
- Useful for tracking progress of bone treatments
- Helps to customize the treatment as per condition of person
List of Tests used for Bone
Bone Dexa Whole Body Scan (Book Now)
Healthy Bone and Joint Assays (Book Now)
Whole Body Bone Scan (Book Now)
BONE DEN.DEXA-TWO SITE Test (Book Now)
Bone Cancer Package (Book Now)
Conclusion
Bone DEXA is one of the most advanced and used test for the detection of bone health. This test is helpful to detect whether there is any osteoporosis condition or not. The test uses small bean of X-rays for the detection of abnormalities in the body. Bones help to provide the structural support to the body, helps to store important minerals like calcium and phosphorus, it also helps to protect organs of the body. But with time and due to various medical conditions or diet the density of bone losses with time and leads to various abnormalities related to bones. One of the tests used to detect bone abnormalities is Bone Dexa scan. This is the short form of Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry, a painless quick tests used to detect the bone density.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bone DEXA test used for?
Bone DEXA test is used to look for bone density in patients.
What is full form of DEXA in Bone DEXA test?
Full form of DEXA is Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry in Bone DEXA test.
Does Bone DEXA uses X-rays for detection of bone density?
Yes, Bone DEXA uses X-rays for detection of bone density.
Which conditions are detected by Bone DEXA?
Conditions like osteopenia (mild bone loss) and osteoporosis (significant bone loss) can be detect through Bone DEXA scan.
