Source ForPressRelease.com

A bone scan will check one's bones for bone mass density. It can detect if bones are thinning, where they are getting thinner and if there is a chance of fracturing. Bone scans use dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, or DEXA. It is a quick and painless scan. The DEXA uses two types of scores, a T-score and a Z-score to determine the bone density. T-scores are what is used to determine osteoporosis.

Whether or not one should get a bone scan is really dependant on their health risk factors and age. If one has bone health risk factors, they can avoid osteoporosis by getting a scan early and working with a doctor to treat any issues that come from the results. By not waiting for any concerns to begin, like fractures, to start treatment, one will not have to deal with the pain associated with the problem.

Bone health is determined by one's bone mass and measured in density. Normal bone density is measured using one's T-score. A T-score of -1 or above is normal. A T-score of -1 to -2.5 is low bone density. A diagnosis of osteoporosis is a T-score of under -2.5. By finding out one's bone mass density, one is able to predict the risk of fracture much in the same way one can predict the risk of having a stroke when their blood pressure is monitored.

There are a few health issues that can raise the risk of osteoporosis for both men and women. Post menopausal women over the age of 65 are at the highest risk. Estrogen preserves bone strength and after menopause, estrogen levels drop. Those under the age of 65 have a lower risk and should not worry about getting a scan unless they have other risk factors like smoking, taking steroids, a history of fractures or a body weight of under 127 pounds, according to WebMD. Another risk factor is having a family member who has had fragility fractures, which are broken bones from a minor injury. Men also have to be concerned, just later in life. According to researchers at University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 'usually around age 70, men start to catch up to women in developing osteoporosis'.

Preventing osteoporosis involves a full range of activities when one is growing older. A bone scan is just one of the things someone can do to help. Other things they can do to prevent osteoporosis involve nutrition, including supplementing diets with bone and joint health supplements, exercise, and continuing to follow one's medical recommendations given after one gets their results. If one finds they have one or more of the risk factors, they will want to make some changes around their home to prevent falls which can cause a major fracture in the hip. Hip fractures are one of the most debilitating types of breaks and are best avoided when possible. When one diligently checks their bone mass density and takes precautions, they are able to avoid the painful consequences of osteoporosis.