

See the Safety in X-ray, Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine Procedures page for more information about pregnancy and x-rays. If an x-ray is necessary, the doctor will take precautions to minimize radiation exposure to the baby. Doctors will not perform many tests during pregnancy to avoid exposing the fetus to radiation. Women should always tell their doctor and technologist You may have to wait 10 to 14 days before undergoing a DXA test. Inform your physician if you recently had a barium examination or have been injected with a contrast material for a computed tomography (CT) scan or radioisotope scan. Remove jewelry, removable dental appliances, eyeglasses, and any metal objects or clothing that might interfere with the x-ray images. You may need to remove some clothing and/or change into a gown for the exam. Objects such as keys or wallets that would be in the area being scanned should be removed. You should wear loose, comfortable clothing, avoiding garments that have zippers, belts or buttons made of metal. You should not take calcium supplements for at least 24 hours before your exam. On the day of the exam you may eat normally. the DXA images of the spine suggest a vertebral deformity or fracture.if a DXA scan gives borderline readings.they have lost more than an inch of height.The Vertebral Fracture Assessment (VFA), a low-dose x-ray examination of the spine to screen for vertebral fractures that is performed on the DXA machine, may be recommended for older patients, especially if: have had x-ray evidence of vertebral fracture or other signs of osteoporosis.have experienced a fracture after only mild trauma.have a parathyroid condition, such as hyperparathyroidism.have a thyroid condition, such as hyperthyroidism.have high bone turnover, which shows up in the form of excessive collagen in urine samples.have type 1 (formerly called juvenile or insulin-dependent) diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease or a family history of osteoporosis.use medications that are known to cause bone loss, including corticosteroids such as Prednisone, various anti-seizure medications such as Dilantin and certain barbiturates, or high-dose thyroid replacement drugs.are a man with clinical conditions associated with bone loss, such as rheumatoid arthritis, chronic kidney or liver disease.are a post-menopausal woman who is tall (over 5 feet 7 inches) or thin (less than 125 pounds).have a personal or maternal history of hip fracture or smoking.are a post-menopausal woman and not taking estrogen.These factors are taken into consideration when deciding if a patient needs therapy.īone density testing is strongly recommended if you: The risk of fracture is affected by age, body weight, history of prior fracture, family history of osteoporotic fractures and life style issues such as cigarette smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.

The DXA test can also assess an individual's risk for developing fractures. Osteoporosis involves a gradual loss of bone, as well as structural changes, causing the bones to become thinner, more fragile and more likely to break.ĭXA is also effective in tracking the effects of treatment for osteoporosis and other conditions that cause bone loss. adopted from wikipedia, " medical", available under CC BY-SA License.What are some common uses of the procedure?ĭXA is most often used to diagnose osteoporosis, a condition that often affects women after menopause but may also be found in men and rarely in children. While stitching technique for sutures is an art learned through practice, the knowledge of what happens at the cellular and molecular level in the tissues being stitched arises through science. In recent centuries, since the advent of modern science, most medicine has become a combination of art and science (both basic and applied, under the umbrella of medical science). For example, a medicine man would apply herbs and say prayers for healing, or an ancient philosopher and physician would apply bloodletting according to the theories of humorism. Contemporary medicine applies biomedical sciences, biomedical research, genetics, and medical technology to diagnose, treat, and prevent injury and disease, typically through pharmaceuticals or surgery, but also through therapies as diverse as psychotherapy, external splints and traction, medical devices, biologics, and ionizing radiation, amongst others.Medicine has been around for thousands of years, during most of which it was an art (an area of skill and knowledge) frequently having connections to the religious and philosophical beliefs of local culture. Medicine encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness. Medicine is the science and practice of establishing the diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, and prevention of disease.
