(Bone Densitometry
, BMD
, Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry
, DEXA Scan
, Photon Absorptiometry)
Description of the test
Making sure your bones are strong and healthy is a common concern for men and women as we age. A bone mineral density (BMD) scan is a non-invasive, pain-free test that examines the density of your bones. It tells you whether your bones are weak (low density) or strong (high density).
A dense bone would be like a giant straw filled with sand - with very small spaces between each grain of sand. A low density or porous bone would be like a giant straw filled with rocks - with large spaces between the rocks that make it less densely packed.
The test is used to predict your chances of developing osteoporosis (fragile bones prone to fractures) later in life. The test may also be used to monitor your progress if you are already being treated for osteoporosis.
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