DEXA Scans: The Benefits of Bone Health Data from BodySpec

A doctor in a white coat points to a section of a spine model while holding it with the other hand. A stethoscope is draped around the doctor's neck.

If you're interested in maintaining strong bones and preventing osteoporosis, you may have heard of DEXA scans. DEXA stands for Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry, and it is a type of bone density test that measures the density of your bones to determine their strength.

Here are some of the benefits of DEXA scans:

1. Accurate measurement of bone health

DEXA scans are the most accurate way to measure bone health. They use low-dose X-rays to create a detailed image of your bones, allowing your healthcare provider to see exactly how strong they are. This is important because osteoporosis, or the thinning of bones, often has no symptoms until a fracture occurs. DEXA scans can help identify a potential risk of osteoporosis before a fracture occurs, allowing for early treatment and prevention of future fractures.

A graph showing decreasing bone mass with age in men and women, including bone growth, peak bone mass, and bone loss due to menopause.

2. Early detection of osteoporosis

Osteoporosis can be difficult to detect in its early stages because it typically has no symptoms. DEXA scans can help identify osteoporosis risk in its early stages, allowing for early treatment and prevention of fractures. This is especially important for postmenopausal women, who are at a higher risk of osteoporosis due to the loss of estrogen.

3. Personalized treatment

DEXA scans can help your healthcare provider determine the best course of treatment for you based on your specific bone health. For example, if you have a low bone density, your healthcare provider may recommend lifestyle changes, such as increasing your calcium and vitamin D intake, or may prescribe medications to help increase bone density.

4. Monitoring treatment effectiveness

DEXA scans can also be used to monitor the effectiveness of treatment for osteoporosis. By measuring your bone density before and after treatment, your healthcare provider can determine whether the treatment is working and make any necessary adjustments.

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What's Next?

DEXA scans are an important tool for maintaining strong bones and preventing osteoporosis. They provide accurate measurement of bone density, allow for early detection of potential risk of osteoporosis, and can help tailor treatment to the individual.

You can measure your body fat and composition, lean mass gains and losses over time, and bone health by getting regular DEXA scans. DEXA scans can help you pinpoint regional changes in your muscle and fat as you work towards your goals. Your data will accrue and compare side by side on our reports, so you can stay on track to being your best self. Find an appointment today!

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