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Bone
Densitometry:
A
Fast,
Simple
Examination
(For
evaluation
of
Osteoporosis)
Your
bone
densitometry
examination
may
be
the
easiest
medical
examination
you
will
have
over
the
course
of
your
life.
Basically,
all
it
involves
is
for
you
to
lie
back
and
let
the
bone
densinometer
do
the
work.
However,
there
are
always
valid
concerns
about
any
medical
procedure.
For
your
peace
of
mind
we
will
address
those
questions
here
when
you
come
in
for
your
appointment..
Will
it
hurt?
Absolutely
not.
There
is
no
pain
at
all
associated
with
a
bone
densitometry
examination.
Is
the
examination
safe?
Bone
densitometry
involves
an
extremely
small
dose
of
radiation.
How
small?
A
spine
densitometometry
delivers
less
than
one-tenth
the
dosage
of
a
chest
x-ray.
As
in
any
medical
procedure,
if
you
are
pregnant
be
sure
to
inform
your
physician.
Is
there
a
special
preparation
involved?
Unlike
many
other
medical
examinations,
this
is
not
an
invasive
procedure,
no
special
preparation
is
required.
There
are
no
contrast
injections,
oral
preparations
or
uncomfortable
invasive
procedures.
Do
I
have
to
alter
my
eating
habits?
This
is
not
an
examination
that
requires
you
to
have
an
empty
stomach,
drink
a
certain
amount
of
water,
or
any
other
such
pre-examination
preparation
on
your
part.
What
should
I
wear?
Wear
any
kind
of
clothing
you
like,
but
please
avoid
metal
buttons
or
buckles.
What
do
I
do
during
examination?
Lie
still.
Breathe
normally.
Rest
comfortably.
How
long
will
the
examination
take?
Spine
or
femur
measurements
take
approximately
two
to
five
minutes
while
total
body
measurements
take
approximately
ten
to
fifteen
minutes.
Your
personal
physician
will
determine
the
examination
that
is
best
for
you.
What
will
the
examination
determie?
The
bone
densitometry
will
measure
your
bone
mineral
density
(BMD).
It
will
also
compare
your
measurements
to
a
reference
population
based
on
your
age,
weight,
sex
and
ethnic
background
(The
norm).
This
information
will
be
used
by
your
physician
in
making
a
diagnosis
about
your
bone
status,
ostoeporosis
presence
and
fracture
risk.
Is
that
all
there
is
to
it?
That's
all.
Your
physician
will
take
care
of
the
rest.
Relax,
this
will
be
the
easiest
step
in
maintaining
your
good
health. |
