As a person grows older, the body retains less calcium. This could result in weaker bones and other bone-related diseases like osteoporosis. With a Bone Mineral Densitometry examination, the condition of your bones can be checked. The right treatment can then be given and a proper diet prescribed to limit disability.

WHAT IS OSTEOPOROSIS?

Osteoporosis, which means "porous bone", is a disease in which there is a loss of bone tissue. This makes bones brittle and more prone to breakage.

Normal bone tissue looks like a sponge, with many tiny holes. Osteoporosis causes these holes to become bigger, making the bone hollow and weak. When this happens, the bone is unable to stand normal physical stress, seriously affecting your mobility.

Osteoporosis usually affects the elderly and post-menopausal women. One in four women over 50 years are affected by osteoporosis.

Some causes are:

	Age
	Menopause
	Simultaneous illness, hormonal irregularities and thyroid disorders
	Inadequate calcium in the diet
	Extreme physical activity

Osteoporosis can be detected in several ways, but a bone mineral densitometry is the easiest and most cost-effective method.

At Medi-Rad, this examination is done using the DEXA (Dual Energy Photon Absorptiometry) scanner.

Compared to other methods, DEXA has four advantages:

	Almost all body parts can be scanned
	Scanning time is shorter
	Images are sharper and clearer
	Low radiation dosage - equivalent to the amount received when flying in an aeroplane

According to the American National Osteoporosis Foundation (1992), you should have your bone mass measured if:

	You have backbone abnormalities
	You have hormonal problems, eg. Hyperparathyroidism
	You are starting hormone replacement therapy
	You are a woman with low estrogen levels, especially post-menopause

Your doctor will prescribe the right medication for the prevention as well as treatment of osteoporosis.

Daily exercise, sufficient calcium in your diet, avoiding alcohol and smoking will also help to reduce your risk of osteoporosis.

Please bring along all of your previous bone mineral density examinations for comparison.

Appointment is necessary and can be made by calling the location where the service is available.

As the developing embryo is much more sensitive to x-radiation exposure, patients must inform the radiographer or physician, prior to any x-ray examination if there is any possibility of pregnancy.