Bone density scans are done on patients to help detect when bones are thinning. Bone density scans are also useful in individuals who are already aware that they have thinning bones to tell them exactly how fast their condition is progressing. Dual energy X-Ray absorptiometry scans (DEXA scans) are the most common form of bone density scans. DEXA scans are used in a couple different ways in preventative medicine.
DEXA scans are used as preventative medicine for women who are not on estrogen therapy and have gone through early menopause or who have had their ovaries surgically removed before the age of 45. The body produces estrogen that helps maintain a woman’s bone density, once the body stops producing estrogen, bone density scans can help pinpoint whether the woman is suffering from thinning bones.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients
DEXA scans are also used in patients who have Rheumatoid Arthritis. Medication that is given for Rheumatoid Arthritis can often lead to significant bone loss in patients. DEXA scans can help pinpoint whether bone loss has begun in a patient.
Individuals Who Have Received a Fracture from Mild Trauma
DEXA scans are also very helpful in preventative medicine in individuals who have suffered from a fractured bone from a very mild trauma. The scan can display whether the patient is suffering from thinning bones and the risk of developing any other bone fractures.
A DEXA scan is also very beneficial to people who suffer from osteoporosis because it can assess the risk of potential bone fractures. It is also an important tool that can be used to diagnose osteoporosis even before symptoms occur.
DEXA scans not only help pinpoint whether bone thinning has begun, but can also show how far along the condition is if it has begun. Bone density scans are very useful in preventative healthcare to identify the issue of thinning bones before it continues to progress. Contact West Covina Dexa scan to schedule an appointment today.