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Bone Density Scanning

A DEXA Scan, (for Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) or Bone Densitometry, measures mineral content in the bones. It involves an extremely small dose of radiation that determines your bone mineral density. It compares your measurements to a reference population based on your age, weight, sex and ethnic background.

Your physician uses this information to diagnose bone status and risk of fracture. Low bone density is caused by osteoporosis, causing bones to become brittle. Osteoporosis is responsible for 1.5 million fractures in the United States each year. Half of the women over age 50 can expect to suffer an osteoporotic fracture during their lifetime.

If detected, preventive therapy can be prescribed to slow or halt bone loss and, in some cases, reverse it.

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