BONE MINERAL DENSITY TEST TO PREVENT OSTEOPOROSIS
Bone mineral density or BMD test is one of the most highly recommended tests for people who are prone to osteoporosis (the most common type of bone disease), especially women or older adults. It uses X-rays to evaluate the number of minerals in bones, mainly the amount of calcium. It is also called DXA (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry). The detection of osteoporosis makes it essential as this disease gradually makes your bone tissue thin and frail then leads to disabling fractures.
Why Should we choose bone mineral density test?
A doctor can suggest a bone mineral density test if any of the following occurs:
- If body is showing the symptoms of osteoporosis
- Bones are becoming weaker
- Have reached the age from which preventive screening is necessary.
- According to NIH (The National Institutes of Health), preventing screening is necessary for:
- Female are over the age of 65.
- Female under the age of 65 who have a high risk of fractures.
The rate of suffering from osteoporosis is high in women. The risk inclines if they smoke or consume three or more alcoholic beverages per day. The risk can also increase if they have:
- Chronic kidney disease, i.e., a gradual loss of kidney function
- Early menopause
- An eating disorder turning in low body weight
- A family history of osteoporosis
- A frailty fracture (a broken bone caused by regular activities or any accident)
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Notable high loss (a sign of compression fractures in the spinal column of the body)
- A sedentary lifestyle that involves minimal weight bearing activities.
Preparation for Bone mineral density test
This test doesn’t need much readiness, but make sure your cloth has no buttons snaps or zippers as metal interferes with the results of the X-ray.
How it’s Performed
It is a painless, outpatient and noninvasive test and requires no medication. Mostly, you will be asked to lie on a table or a bench, and the X-ray machine will scan those parts of your body which needs to diagnose. The test takes place in specialized testing facilities. It can also be performed in your doctor’s office, clinics or pharmacies if they have the right equipment.
RISKS:
As this test uses X-rays, radiation exposure bears some risks. However, the radiation level is shallow. Therefore, the risk related to radiation exposure is less than the chance of not detecting osteoporosis. But, you must tell your doctor if you are pregnant or you think you might be, as radiation is harmful to the fetus.
In Parkview Hospital Chittagong BMD test is being introduced under the Department of Orthopedics and Trauma for diagnosing osteoporosis or bone disease. Contact you hotline for details.