Excel Nuclear Oncology Center in Houston is designated as Radiopharmaceutical Therapy Center of Excellence by SNMMI.

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DEXA (Bone Density)

Excel Diagnostics & Nuclear Oncology Center -  - Diagnostic Imaging

Excel Diagnostics & Nuclear Oncology Center

Diagnostic Imaging & Clinical Research located in Houston, TX

An estimated 200 million men and women in the United States have weak bones because of osteoporosis. At Excel Diagnostics & Nuclear Oncology Center in Houston, Texas, Ebrahim Delpassand, MD, and the diagnostic imaging team provide DEXA bone density scans as a preventive screening tool for osteoporosis. The team can also use DEXA scan technology to diagnose the root cause of frequent fractures. To schedule a diagnostic or preventive DEXA bone density scan, call Excel Diagnostics & Nuclear Oncology Center, or book an appointment online today.

DEXA (Bone Density) Q&A

What is a DEXA scan?

A dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan is a diagnostic imaging test that measures your bone density using low levels of X-ray technology.

The scan helps evaluate the mineral content in your bones to identify osteoporosis, a progressive condition that weakens bones and increases the risk for fractures.

When do I need a DEXA scan?

You may need a routine DEXA scan as you get older or if you have other risk factors for osteoporosis. Typically, your bones break down and regenerate all the time. When you have osteoporosis, your body cannot create new bone tissue to keep up with what’s breaking down.

The team at Excel Diagnostics & Nuclear Oncology Center might recommend a DEXA scan as you get older or if you have a history of frequent fractures. Post-menopausal women may also need a routine DEXA scan to test for osteoporosis because the loss of estrogen can weaken the bones.

Other osteoporosis risk factors include:

  • Family history
  • Celiac disease
  • Kidney disease
  • Thyroid disorder
  • Low calcium intake
  • Small body frame size

You may also need a DEXA scan if you take medications like steroids or cancer-fighting drugs that can weaken bones.

With an early diagnosis, you can manage osteoporosis with medications and lifestyle and diet changes. If left untreated, osteoporosis can increase your risk for fractures, chronic pain, and joint deformities.

What happens during a DEXA scan?

During your DEXA scan, you can expect to lie comfortably on an X-ray table. The Excel Diagnostics & Nuclear Oncology Center team moves your body into a particular position before the test begins.

The DEXA machine has a mechanical arm that passes over your body. The technology uses different X-ray beams that contain small amounts of radiation. The scanner measures the density of your bones and translates it into pictures and graphs.

A radiologist reviews the results of your DEXA scan to determine if you have signs of bone density loss because of osteoporosis or another condition.

To learn more about the diagnostic benefits of a DEXA scan, call Excel Diagnostics & Nuclear Oncology Center to schedule a consultation or book an appointment online today.

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