A bone density test is used mainly to diagnose
osteopenia and osteoporosis
.
What is a bone density test used to diagnose?
A bone density test determines
if you have osteoporosis
— a disorder characterized by bones that are more fragile and more likely to break. The test uses X-rays to measure how many grams of calcium and other bone minerals are packed into a segment of bone.
Which of the following clients is most likely to have low bone density?
Women over the age of 50
are the most likely people to develop osteoporosis. The condition is 4 times as likely in women than men. Women’s lighter, thinner bones and longer life spans are part of the reason they have a higher risk.
Which foods would the nurse recommend for a client who is at risk for developing osteoporosis?
- fatty fish (salmon, herring, mackerel)
- liver.
- eggs.
- fortified foods such as low-fat milks and margarine.
What diagnostic test would have most likely been ordered to diagnose osteoporosis?
To diagnose osteoporosis and assess your risk of fracture and determine your need for treatment, your doctor will most likely order
a bone density scan
. This exam is used to measure bone mineral density (BMD). It is most commonly performed using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA or DEXA) or bone densitometry.
At what age should you stop getting bone density tests?
Women should get a bone scan at
age 65
. Men age 70 and up may want to talk with their doctors about the risks and benefits before deciding. Younger women, and men ages 50 to 69, should consider the test if they have risk factors for serious bone loss.
What happens if your bone density is low?
A person may have low bone mass at any age but not develop
osteoporosis
. However, if a person has low bone mass and continues to lose bone density, this may lead to osteoporosis. A combination of low bone mass and a risk factor for fracture may increase your risk for broken bones, too.
What 3 bones are most affected by osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis-related fractures most commonly occur in
the hip, wrist or spine
. Bone is living tissue that is constantly being broken down and replaced. Osteoporosis occurs when the creation of new bone doesn’t keep up with the loss of old bone.
Can you increase bone density after 60?
1.
Exercise
Just 30 minutes of exercise
each day can help strengthen bones and prevent osteoporosis. Weight-bearing exercises, such as yoga, tai chi, and even walking, help the body resist gravity and stimulate bone cells to grow. Strength-training builds muscles which also increases bone strength.
Can you regain bone density?
While
you can never regain the bone density you had
in your youth, you can help prevent rapidly thinning bones, even after your diagnosis.
What foods are bad for osteoporosis?
- Salt. …
- Caffeine. …
- Soda. …
- Red Meat. …
- Alcohol. …
- Wheat Bran. …
- Liver and Fish Liver Oil.
Which exercise does the nurse recommend to a client at risk for osteoporosis?
Swimming and water exercise
for people with osteoporosis
People with severe osteoporosis or kyphosis (hunching of the upper back) who are at high risk of bone fractures may find that swimming or water exercise is their preferred activity. Consult with your doctor or healthcare professional.
What are behavioral factors of osteoporosis?
Lifestyle behaviors that increase osteoporosis risk include:
calcium and/or vitamin D deficiency
; little or no exercise, especially weight-bearing exercise; alcohol abuse; cigarette smoking.
What does low bone density look like on a radiograph?
Decreased bone density can be appreciated by
decreased cortical thickness and loss of bony trabeculae
in the early stages in radiography. Bones like the vertebra, long bones (proximal femur), calcaneum and tubular bones are usually looked at for evidence of osteoporosis.
Does a blood test show bone density?
A DEXA scan is the most common way to measure bone density
. But your health care provider may order more tests to confirm a diagnosis or to find out if bone loss treatment is working. These include a calcium blood test, a vitamin D test, and/or tests for certain hormones.
What is a normal T-score for bone density?
A T-score within 1 SD
(+1 or -1) of the young
adult mean indicates normal bone density. A T-score of 1 to 2.5 SD below the young adult mean (-1 to -2.5 SD) indicates low bone mass. A T-score of 2.5 SD or more below the young adult mean (more than -2.5 SD) indicates the presence of osteoporosis.
