Most people pay little attention to their bone health. Even if you prioritize personal fitness and wellbeing, you probably haven’t considered the idea of a bone density scan.
At Mid-Florida Age Management, we offer holistic health advice, so you can look and feel your best every single day. A bone density scan can help our medical professionals get a better idea of the current condition of your skeletal system, so we can provide more accurate treatment advice.
But how does a bone density scan work? And how can you tell if you could benefit from this procedure? Read on to find out more about our bone density scan at Mid-Florida Age Management.
The DEXA Scan
Our preferred device for a bone density scan in Ocala is the Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) device. The DEXA uses a combination of two x-ray technologies to measure bone density, muscle, and body fat.
Because the DEXA’s x-rays have very little radiation, the procedure is harmless and painless. When you come in for DEXA imaging, we’ll lay you down on a table while an arm of the device sweeps over your body, scanning you.
After that evaluation, it will either report your results as a T-Score or a Z-Score. A T-Score compares your bone density to a healthy person in their 20s or 30s, while a Z-Score compares your results to a healthy person of your own age. This helps us diagnose bone conditions like osteoporosis.
We’ve also just added the InBody 360. This incredible body composition device can measure your fat, muscle, and fluid levels. This works like a DEXA scan, and we can perform it quickly, in the clinic. The InBody 360 can help us provide more informed treatment recommendations and monitor results. And like the DEXA, it’s quick, efficient, and painless.
When to Consider a DEXA Scan
Now that you have a better understanding of how the DEXA works, let’s discuss when you should schedule a scan of your own. You should consider a DEXA scan is if you:
- Are a female over age 65
- Are a male over age 70
- Are older than 50 and you’ve ever broken a bone
- Smoke
- Drink alcohol excessively
- Use corticosteroids
- Have a vitamin deficiency
We also recommend that you schedule regular DEXA scans if you have a family history of osteoporosis and you’ve lost at least 1.5 inches of height since you were 20.
Request an Appointment With Our Team
At Mid-Florida Age Management, your wellness is our priority. Whether you’re interested in a hormone treatment, a meeting with a nutrition counselor, or dermal fillers, we want you to understand your body, so you can prepare for anything.
If you think you could benefit from a bone density scan in Ocala, then reach out to our team to request an appointment today.
