It’s estimated that 10 million Americans have osteoporosis and another 44 million have low bone density, placing them at increased risk of bone fractures. Americans who are over the age of 50 should be more concerned about educating themselves on the topic because this is the typical age bone density loss begins. Below, we will discuss what it is, whether it can be reversed, and where to get screened for bone density loss.
Bone Density Scans Explained: Duration, Radiation Exposure, & More
Many years ago, the only way for a doctor to know if someone had osteoporosis was if they had broken a bone and fit the criteria for the disease demographics such as age or sex. Today, modern radiologic technology has made it possible to determine whether someone has osteoporosis before they even fracture or break a bone. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry or DXA scan—also known as bone density scans or bone densitometry—can test whether someone has osteoporosis using X-ray imaging. Below, we will discuss the ins and outs of bone densitometry including how it works, who it’s for, and why we use it.