BMD (Bone Mineral Density) is defined as the amount of calcium hydroxyapatite (a form of mineral) present in your bone. This unit is measured by X-rays and is used as a secondary indicator of the strength of a bone. If you are a patient who is at high risk of osteoporosis, you need to go through this BMD test. This disease is commonly found in women and older adults.
A bone mineral density test is also known as DXA (Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry). This test is widely used to test one of the common bone diseases, named osteoporosis. This disease affects your bone tissues by making them thin and they become weak with time, which further results in disabling fractures.
If you are residing in Leppington and your doctor suspects that your bones are getting weaker and at the same time, you are showing other symptoms of osteoporosis or you have reached the age where older adults are more prone to this disease, he/she will recommend BMD Leppington test.
As per the Natural Institutes of Health, it has been proved that women over the age of 65 and women under 65 years having a high risk of fractures must get preventive screenings for BMD.
If women smoke or drink 3 or more alcoholic beverages in a day, they are more likely to get osteoporosis. In addition to this, women who have these diseases are at high risk of osteoporosis. These include:
- Chronic kidney disease
- Early menopause
- Low body weight due to improper eating habits
- If anyone in a family has or had osteoporosis
- Fracture caused by regular activities
- Compression fractures in the spine resulting in height loss
How to prepare yourself for the BMD test?
The test does not involve too much preparation. In most cases, you need to change your clothes. You just need to wear clothes without buttons, snaps or zips. You should always know that whenever you are going for body scans, make sure that you should avoid wearing clothes with metal objects in it because metal hinders the X-ray images.
How a BMD test is performed?
Many people think that the BMD Leppington test might be painful. But, it is not in the same way. This test is completely pain-free and also does not require any kind of medication. You just require sleeping on a bench and your test will be performed within a few minutes.
If your doctor has the right equipment, the test can be carried out at his office; else, you need to visit a specialized testing facility for the BMD test.
Now, two types of BMD scans are:
- Central DXA – In this test, an X-ray machine will scan your hip, spine, and torso.
- Peripheral DXA – In this test, an X-ray machine will scan the forearm, wrist, fingers, and heel. Generally, this scan is done to determine whether you need a Central DXA test or not.
Once your scan is done, the doctor will review the test and will give you a score based on the results. If you have a 0 score, it means you are normal. If you get a score of -2.5 or lower, you will be diagnosed with osteoporosis.
Based on the result, the doctor will recommend the treatment plan to handle your health problem.
