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Bone Densitometry

Here are three super-solid ways to get the job done.
Your bones need your help to stay strong. How can I help?

Reviewed 3/6/2023

Strong bones for life! 3 ways to fortify your frame

Your body builds new bone throughout your life. But even young adults can begin to lose bone mass faster than they can replace it.

So how can you keep your bones healthy and strong for life? Here are three super-solid ways to get the job done.

1. Jump on it!

Like muscles, bones gain strength from use and pressure. That's why high-impact weight-bearing exercises are great for bone health. For example:

  • Aerobic dancing.
  • Hiking.
  • Jogging or running.
  • Jumping rope.
  • Stair climbing.

Need to take it easier?

Low-impact weight-bearing activities like walking and using a treadmill or elliptical machine help keep bones strong too.

Give bones a lift too

Muscle-strengthening exercises—also known as resistance exercises—help you hold on to bone mass too. Examples: Lifting weights, working with elastic exercise bands and using weight machines.

2. Calcium up, friends

Calcium is essential for building bones and keeping them healthy. Yet our bodies can't produce their own calcium. We need to get it from the foods we eat or from supplements. Dairy products—like milk, yogurt and cheese—are high in calcium. And calcium is added to many juices, cereals and other foods.

Hard fact

About 99% of the calcium in our bodies can be found in our bones and teeth.

3. Talk vitamin D with your doc

Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium. You can get vitamin D from sunlight, foods and supplements. Very few foods naturally contain vitamin D—mostly fatty fish like salmon and tuna. And sunlight comes with its own risks. That's why experts often recommend people take vitamin D to make sure they get enough.

Bring it up

Talk with your doctor about whether you need vitamin D and calcium supplements. And ask how much you should take.

Shining the light on a dilemma

Your skin makes vitamin D when the sun shines on it. But sunscreen—which helps prevent skin aging and cancer—also blocks the production of vitamin D.

Attention, shoppers! Bonus points for bones

Calcium and vitamin D are essential—but here are some other nutrients that help boost bone health:

Magnesium. Find it in beet greens, collard greens, potatoes and spinach.

Potassium. Find it in bananas, orange juice, raisins, sweet potatoes and tomato products.

Vitamin C. Find it in broccoli, citrus fruits, and green and red peppers.

Vitamin K. Find it in prunes and green leafy veggies like kale, collard greens, mustard greens and spinach.

Testing your inner strength

There's an easy test for checking your bone density. Called a DXA (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry) scan, it's essentially an x-ray of the hip and spine. It's used to diagnose osteoporosis, weak and porous bones that could break more easily.

Women and older adults are most at risk—but other things, like smoking, may raise your risk. Talk with your doctor about whether bone density testing is right for you.

Test your knowledge and pick up more prevention tips.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Sources: Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation; National Institutes of Health; RadiologyInfo

 

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Osteoporosis is preventable and treatable

Osteoporosis is often called the "silent disease," because it doesn’t produce symptoms until a fracture occurs. The bones most likely to break are the hip, spine and forearm. In fact, 1 in 2 women and 1 in 8 men are at risk for fracture or have at least one spinal fracture and don’t know it. Spinal fractures caused by osteoporosis are most often painless, greatly increasing the risk for future fractures. A woman's risk of hip fracture alone, equals her combined risk of developing breast, uterine or ovarian cancer.

The diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis begins with an objective measurement of your current bone density. Today, when doctors detect bone loss in the earliest stage, treatment is more successful. And, several drug therapies now on the market have been shown to be effective in slowing down or reversing the bone-loss process.

What is bone densitometry?

Bone densitometry, safely, accurately and painlessly measures bone density. An additional capability, Instant Vertebral Assessment™ (IVA), a 10-second, low-dose X-ray scan of the entire spine, allows doctors to see existing vertebral fractures, which may indicate the need for more aggressive treatment, even if bone density results are in the "normal" range.

IVA may be performed in conjunction with a bone density test, during the same appointment, and the results are immediately available for the doctor's review. In this way, your doctor can provide a more thorough assessment of your bone health—quickly and conveniently.

Preparing for a bone density scan:

  • Unless instructed otherwise, eat normally on the day of the exam; but avoid taking calcium supplements for at least 24 hours prior to your appointment.
  • Wear loose, comfortable clothing. Sweat suits and other casual attire without zippers, buttons, grommets or any metal are preferred.
  • You should not have had a barium study, radioisotope injection, oral or intravenous contrast material from a CT scan or MRI within seven days prior to your DXA test.

Am I at increased risk of developing osteoporosis?

Your chances of developing osteoporosis are greater if you are female and answer "yes" to any of the following questions:

Are you:

  • Light skinned.
  • Thin or small framed.
  • Approaching or past menopause.
  • Milk intolerant or have a low calcium intake.
  • Cigarette smoker.
  • Excessive alcohol intake.
  • Taking thyroid medication or steroid-based drugs for asthma, arthritis or cancer.

Do you have:

  • A family history of osteoporosis.
  • Chronic intestinal disorders.
  • A sedentary lifestyle.
  • Eating disorders.

For more information, please contact our office.

Osteoporosis prevention and treatment*

There are steps you can take to prevent the development of osteoporosis. Even if you already have the disease, these measures, along with therapies your doctor may prescribe, can help slow its progression.

  • Make calcium-rich foods a regular part of your diet, or consider calcium and vitamin D supplements.
  • Exercise regularly.
  • Don’t smoke.
  • Reduce your intake of soft drinks and coffee.
  • Alcoholic beverage consumption in moderation.
  • Speak with your doctor about testing for bone density and potential fractures.

*For additional information on bone health information, contact the National Osteoporosis Foundation at 202.223.2226 or visit www.hologic.com.

Image courtesy of HOLOGIC, Inc. and affiliates.