Here are some things you might think about when your doctor suggests you get a DEXA scan. It prompts you to weigh the benefits of seeing a general doctor, the steps involved, and if there are any risks. This blog aims to give clear and simple details about DEXA, including the pros and cons of the test, so you can feel as at ease as possible.
What Do We Know About DEXA Scan?
A DEXA scan, or Dual-Energy X-ray, is a test to check the health of your bones. Unlike surgery, it is not painful and helps you see how strong your bones are. This scan is key for those with weak bones or a higher risk of breaking. The scan uses two X-ray beams at different spots to check bone strength and shows how much mineral content is present.
Benefits of a DEXA Scan
A DEXA scan, similar to “MRI scans near me“, is the best way to check bone strength. Its main perks are:
Spotting Early Bone Loss: Bone loss makes bones weak and easy to break. Spotting it helps in treating it well. A DEXA scan lets doctors find bone loss before breaks occur.
Assessing Break Risk: The scan checks your break risk by looking at bone strength (BMD). This helps in making a care plan that lowers the chance of breaks.
Tracking Bone Health: For example, if one has bone loss or something of that sort, a DEXA scan is a good method of telling how well treatment is responding or how one’s bones are gaining as time passes.
Guiding Treatment Choices: The result of a DEXA scan then assists the doctor in deciding the right line of action to take, whether it is through medication, a change in diet, exercise, or any other form of treatment to improve the status of the bones.
Low Radiation: One major advantage must be the titanium deal that the DEXA scan emits very little radiation, far less than the chest X-ray, which makes it suitable for most people.
Understanding the Procedure
A DEXA scan is a quick test that takes 15 to 30 minutes. Here’s what will happen at your visit:
Prep: You’ll lie on a soft table, like how it is during the “MRI scan near me” as the DEXA scanner moves over you. You might need to take off any metal items, like rings, to keep the scan clear.
Scan: The scanner radiates two X-ray beams through your body at two degrees. These beams determine the density of your bones, particularly where fractures are expected, for instance, in the hip, the back, and the arm.
Results: The scan data allows you to determine your bone density. Most of the time, the results will show you how healthy your bones are or if you have a certain condition, and your doctor will tell you what’s best to do next.
Side-Effects of a DEXA Scan
Possible complications of DEXA scanning are rare, and the scanning modality is viewed as safe with regard to the majority of patients.
Low Radiation: When using the DEXA scan, the rays used are very low. It is far below the amount of CT scans or X-rays, for instance. It is quite a small number of rays and is about one-tenth of the exposure of a chest X-ray. Thus, the danger of side effects from rays is low.
No Pain: The scan is quick and does not hurt. Most feel no pain during the scan. You just lie still while the scan is done.
No Allergic Reactions: Unlike other scans, like CT scans that may need dye, a DEXA scan does not use any dye or stuff put into the body. This cuts the risk of bad reactions.
Safe for Pregnant Women: Though the rays are low, pregnant women are told to skip DEXA scans unless it’s a must due to a small risk to the baby. If you are with a child or think you might be, tell your doctor before the scan.
Best Practices to Follow Before and After a DEXA Scan
It’s wise to follow some key tips before and after your DEXA scan to get the best results and ease any fears:
Tell Your Doctor About Meds: Let your doctor know what meds or supplements you take, as some may impact bone scans. You might need to pause some meds before the scan.
Skip Calcium Supplements: Don’t take calcium supplements for 24 hours before the scan. Calcium can skew the bone scan results.
Dress in Loose Clothes: On the scan day, wear loose clothes with no metal bits like buttons or zips. This stops any mix-ups with the scan.
Stay Still for the Scan: It’s key to stay still during the scan. Any move can blur the results.
Check-in with Your Doctor: After the scan, your doctor will go over the results with you. They might suggest treatments or changes to boost your bone health.
Safe and Worthy: DEXA Scans
DEXA scan is an important method of assessing and monitoring the bone density. That is especially important for those who might experience such problems as osteoporosis in the future. The scan is very safe, and most of the time, the risk and complications are comparatively very low. It is imperative to consider this as a component of personal belonging to ensure you have a healthy life.
CareScan
Hence, CareScan is for your health and convenience. The precision equipment that we use in imaging, together with our well-trained team, will ensure you attain real and precise outcomes. We are here if you require help with a DEXA scan, MRI scan near me or any imaging you need to get on the pathway to better health. Contact us to learn how we can assist you.
