Osteoporosis Diagnosis & Treatment Facts Everyone Should Know

Related Articles

Cosmetic Dentistry is more than a Pretty Smile

3 days ago

Discover Superior Pain Management at The Interventional Pain Institute with Dr. Brent Compton in The Villages and Ocala, Florida

4 days ago

Investing in Your Future: The Power of Basic Financial Techniques for a Better Retirement

4 days ago

Osteoporosis and osteopenia (low bone mass) are serious conditions affecting roughly 44 million Americans ages 50 and older. Because 80% of osteoporosis sufferers are women, many men assume it isn’t a concern for them, but older men with elevated risk factors like heredity, sedentary living or certain medication protocols can also be prone to fracture, making osteoporosis a disease everyone should be aware of. Because most people with osteoporosis don’t know they have it until they break a bone, early detection is key. Once osteoporosis becomes advanced and bones become weak, a fracture can be caused by something as common as a standing fall or even a cough or sneeze.
The good news is the Board Certified and highly experienced radiologists of RAO have a quick, easy way to diagnose and monitor bone loss. The DEXA Bone Density Scan is a quick, completely painless examination that uses computer imaging to measure bone mineral density and help determine bone status and fracture risk. The test involves a small dose of radiation (one-tenth that of a chest x-ray) and takes about 2-5 minutes for a single area measurement and 10-15 minutes for a whole body scan.
If bone loss is discovered, your doctor can prescribe medication and recommend specific diet changes, bone-strengthening activities and nutritional supplements to help arrest the disease and prevent fracture. In cases where certain types of fracture have already occurred, RAO offers treatments proven to help stabilize the fracture, relieve pain, prevent further deterioration and reduce mortality risk. DEXA is recommended for all women 65 and older, and for women 50+ and men 65+ with elevated risk factors. RAO offers DEXA testing at our Women’s Imaging Center and TimberRidge Imaging Center locations.
Remember, when caught early osteoporosis is manageable, so talk to your doctor about whether DEXA testing is right for you.
For more information, please call RAO at 352-671-4300.
Radiology Associates of Ocala, P.A.
352-671-4300
www.RAOcala.com