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CT Scan & General Radiology :-
C-10, Green Park Extension,
New Delhi-110016
Tel : +91-11-42199992 (30 Lines),
Fax : +91-11-42199993
MRI @ 3 Tesla & 1.5 Tesla :-
H-10, Green Park Extension,
New Delhi-110016
Tel : +91-11-42199991 (30 Lines),
Fax : +91-11-42199994
Email: focusimaging@gmail.com
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| General Information |
Osteoporosis is, as the name implies, porous or thin bones. This is due to loss of bone strength and bone mass caused by ageing, genetics, nutritional factors, hormonal problems or certain medications. The most significant outcome is weakening of the skeleton leading to fractures, loss of height, impaired quality of life and even death. There are no warning signs and the first is usually a fracture. The World Health Organisation (WHO) considers osteoporosis second only to cardiovascular disease as a leading health care problem.
There is an urgent need to recognise this "silent crippler". The population is aging, people are living longer, unhealthy dietary patterns have increased and physical activity and sun exposure have decreased. Now for the good news. Osteoporosis is treatable and preventable. The following six-step "Bone Up on Osteoporosis" protocol will help you get the best bones possible and prevent fractures.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates 55% of people age 50 and older in the world have osteoporosis or low bone mass. Of these, more than 14 million men and 30 million women are affected by this condition.
Osteoporosis is treatable and preventable. Early diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and the use of bone density testing to diagnose and monitor response to therapy have greatly improved the prognosis for patients.
DEXA (Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) is a test for measuring bone mineral density. The scan is a reliable test to determine early stages of bone loss associated with osteoporosis, a disease in which bone density decreases, making bones brittle and prone to fractures. The DEXA scan results are reproducible, allowing measurements to be taken over time showing progression of disease or improvement in bone density due to treatment. |
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| Exam preparation |
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Do not take anything that contains Calcium or Milk of Magnesia the day before or the day of the exam. |
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Notify a member of Focus’s staff if you are nursing or if there is a chance you could be pregnant. |
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Please arrive 15 minutes early to verify your registration. There is a 300 lb weight limit for DEXA exams. |
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| During the exam |
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DEXA is safe and painless, and requires no injections, invasive procedures, or sedation. |
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During the exam, you lie fully clothed on a padded table while the system scans one or more areas of bone (usually the lower spine or hip). |
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While DEXA uses x-rays, the radiation dose is less than during a chest x-ray. |
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| After the exam |
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A musculoskeletal radiologist who specializes in bones and muscles will review your images. |
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The radiologist prepares a diagnostic report to share with your doctor. |
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Your doctor will consider this information in context of your overall care, and talk with you about the results. |
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| Recognise risk factors |
- Previous fragility fracture, particularly of the hip, spine or wrist
- Family history of fractures and Osteoporosis
- Loss of height, thoracic kyphosis (bent back)
- Female (women are more at risk than men)
- Asian or Caucasian
- Poor diet low in calcium
- Lack of exercise
- Smoking
- Regular and excessive alcohol consumption
- Excessive coffee consumption (especially smokers)
- Estrogen deficiency
- Early menopause (age {lt}45years)
- Absence or cessation of menstrual periods (lack of menstruation for {gt} 1 year)
- Primary or secondary hypogonadism in both genders (Lack of male or female hormones)
- Prolonged corticosteroid therapy
- Low body mass index ({lt}19 kg/m2)
- Chronic disorders associated with osteoporosis: Anorexia nervosa, malabsorption syndromes including chronic liver disease and inflammatory bowel disease, primary hyperparathyroidism (excess parathyroid hormone), post-transplantation, chronic renal failure, hyperthyroidism, prolonged immobilisation, Cushing's syndrome, Type 1 Diabetes (Insulin deficiency)
- Medications like Thyroxine (higher than necessary levels), anti-seizure medications.
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| Optimise calcium and Vitamin D intake during adulthood |
Bone is a vibrant, living tissue and not a stiff, lifeless structure as we think. Remodelling is a continuous process in which old bone is removed (resorption) and new bone is created (formation). The renewal of bone is responsible for bone strength throughout life. Any factor, which causes a higher rate of bone remodelling, will ultimately lead to a more rapid loss of bone mass and thus more fragile bones.
To avoid excessive bone loss, the following steps are important.
- A diet rich in calcium helps build your bones.
- Milk, milk products, lentils, beans, greens like spinach, broccoli and fish with bones are good sources of calcium. Coffee and too much salt increase calcium loss in the urine. Women after menopause require 1000 mg of calcium supplement and 800 units of Vit D. Older men should also be encouraged to use calcium and Vit. D supplement.
- Diet rich in Calcium and Vitamin D.
- Adequate sun exposure
- Weight-bearing exercise
- No smoking
- Alcohol in moderation or none at all.
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| Screen for Osteoporosis |
| Bone densitometry is a simple, painless, computerised X-ray technique that allows measurement of bone density. Who should be tested? Individuals with strong risk factors, women over the age of 65 (probably over 55 in India since osteoporosis and fractures occur 10 years early in Indian men and women). X-rays show osteoporosis only after 30 per cent of the bone is lost from the bone. |
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| Consult a bone health specialist |
Your physician, gynaecologist, paediatrician are all important resource persons in promotion of bone health. Today there is a wide range of therapeutic options and several safe and effective medical treatments to reduce the risk of fracture by up to 50 per cent.
The choice of treatment should be tailored to a patient's specific medical needs and lifestyle. |
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| Prevent fractures and falls |
| The elderly are particularly prone to falls due to loss of muscle strength, loss of balance and poor reflexes, poor vision, decreased hearing, use of medications that cause dizziness and drowsiness and other factors like poor lighting, loose wires, uneven flooring, uneven steps and non-tethering of rugs and carpets and slippery floors. Even trivial falls can cause fractures in the elderly with osteoporosis. |
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