111-29 Queens Blvd, Forest Hills, NY 11375
111-29 Queens Blvd, Forest Hills, NY 11375
Weak bones, whether due to osteoporosis or other causes, can affect both men and women. Porous bones lose their strength and are prone to fractures, even from minor falls. Early detection is key to improving longevity. A bone density scan, available at Medex Diagnostic and Treatment Center in Queens, New York, is the most effective way to detect osteoporosis. If you’re over 65 (or 50 with a history of broken bones), contact Medex today to schedule a bone density test.
Bone density tests — also known as bone density scans, bone densitometry, or bone mass measurements — provide a means to measure your bones’ strength and make-up. This simple procedure is used for diagnosing conditions like osteoporosis, recognizing vitamin deficiencies and determining your risk level for fractures.
Your primary care doctor doctor at the Medex Diagnostic and Treatment Center in Queens, NY uses a special type of x-ray or a CT scan to perform a bone density test. The tests are safe, quick, painless and reliable. If you find you have weak bones, your doctor explains how to:
Schedule your test with a simple phone call to this multi-specialty practice where you visit your doctor. If you need further treatment from a specialist such as an orthopedist or physical therapist, in-house referrals are made quickly and efficiently.
Bone density tests, also known as bone scans or densitometry, measure the strength and composition of your bones. These tests help diagnose osteoporosis, identify vitamin deficiencies, and assess your risk for fractures.
At Medex Diagnostic and Treatment Center, your primary care doctor uses advanced imaging technology, such as X-rays or CT scans, to perform this quick and painless procedure. If necessary, in-house referrals to specialists such as orthopedists or physical therapists are handled efficiently.
Schedule your test with a simple phone call to this multi-specialty practice where you visit your doctor. If you need further treatment from a specialist such as an orthopedist or physical therapist, in-house referrals are made quickly and efficiently.
Most experts recommend that you get a bone density test if you’re 65 or older or if you’re over 50 and have broken a bone. Your physician at the Medex Diagnostic and Treatment Center may also recommend a bone density test if you’ve had a transplant, are losing height or are taking certain medications or steroids. Talk to your primary care doctor to decide.
A bone density test is a form of prevention, and it’s the only way of detecting osteoporosis before any damage occurs. A bone density test informs your doctor about any issues with your daily routine that cause undue stress on your bones. The test also provides you with information about the quality of your diet. You may need to alter what you eat to get more minerals.
Osteoporosis is the medical term for a condition that causes porous bones. It occurs when your bones degenerate, resulting in porous bones that are full of holes and cavities. If you’re below a certain score on your bone density test, it confirms a diagnosis of osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis is a serious condition. But if you catch it early, before it becomes full blown, you can take steps to minimize the damage it causes. Osteoporosis is dangerous because having a weak bone condition leads to consequences such as:
Osteoporosis is associated with other different conditions that affect your overall health and well-being. A specialist who’s treating you for an underlying condition sometimes wants you to get a bone density test. Conditions that contribute to low bone density include:
If your doctor suspects you may have brittle or weak bones, a bone density test confirms it. But even before you get the results, you should begin making lifestyle changes to prevent osteoporosis or keep it from getting worse. If you’ve already been diagnosed with early-stage osteoporosis, a condition called osteopenia, these changes stave off further bone loss.
Heed this advice to avoid the worst of the condition. The best steps to take to prevent low bone mass include:
Your Medex doctor may advise you to fast for 24 hours before the test and skip your supplements that day. During the exam, you lie on a table wearing comfortable street clothes while a technician runs a scanner that passes over your body. Although it’s low risk, keep in mind that you’re being exposed to a small amount of radiation, like an x-ray, so you shouldn’t have a bone density scan if you’re pregnant.
Bone density test results, which you’ll receive within a few days, come in the form of a T-score that indicates how far you are from the average. The lower your T-score, the lower your bone density; a T-score below -2.5 means that you have osteoporosis.
Even though a lower score is discouraging, bad results are actually beneficial because they give you an impetus to act. The results also guide your doctor to decide whether to prescribe medication in addition to exercise and diet changes. Take the steps necessary to strengthen your bones.
Your primary care doctor or another specialist at the Medex Diagnostic & Treatment Center works with you to devise an effective plan that suits your lifestyle. Repeated bone density tests, usually every two years, show your progress and improvement over time. Don’t put it off. Contact this Queens practice to set up an appointment for a bone density test.
We can help you find a doctor. Call (718) 275-8900
Licensed by the state of New York, Medex is an Article 28 diagnostic and treatment center. Our physicians provide comprehensive care for patients of all ages in the Forest Hills, Queens area, for over 15 years. Start receiving expert care now by calling or scheduling an appointment online with one of the skilled specialists.
Medex Diagnostic and Treatment Center