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What Is DEXA Scan For?
Question: I am 74, so why do I need to have a DEXA scan? I already took Fosamax and can no longer take it. So if I have osteoporosis, so what? What treatment is there?
Brief Answer:
Why can’t you take FOSAMAX?
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
I am so sorry to hear about these worries that you have expressed. I have no idea why you are clearly against fosamax. If you could tell me the reasons why, then I may be able to offer alternatives. However, there are formulations of this drug that can be injected and you will not have the side effects related to taking it orally as this is the most common problem reported by clients.
I will say do the DEXA scan. If the results suggest ostepenia and not osteoporosis, the doctors will act accordingly. The scan is not necessarily to say you have osteoporosis but to tell whether your bone mass need any further attention. Ostepenia is managed differently. I will recommend that you make are you are having enough Vitamin D and calcium as these are able to worsen bone loss in elderly. Regularly exercise also help maintain your health and bone mass as well. Smoking worsens this and should be avoided.
I hop ethos helps. I wish you well and thank you so much for using our services. .Feel free to ask for clarification and more information if need be.
Why can’t you take FOSAMAX?
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
I am so sorry to hear about these worries that you have expressed. I have no idea why you are clearly against fosamax. If you could tell me the reasons why, then I may be able to offer alternatives. However, there are formulations of this drug that can be injected and you will not have the side effects related to taking it orally as this is the most common problem reported by clients.
I will say do the DEXA scan. If the results suggest ostepenia and not osteoporosis, the doctors will act accordingly. The scan is not necessarily to say you have osteoporosis but to tell whether your bone mass need any further attention. Ostepenia is managed differently. I will recommend that you make are you are having enough Vitamin D and calcium as these are able to worsen bone loss in elderly. Regularly exercise also help maintain your health and bone mass as well. Smoking worsens this and should be avoided.
I hop ethos helps. I wish you well and thank you so much for using our services. .Feel free to ask for clarification and more information if need be.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I already took Fosamax for ten years which was too long already.
I have already been exercising and already taking vitamin D and calcium. So what is there left to do? What further attention would I need to give?
Also I no longer smoke. I quit 12 yrs ago. So again what treatment left is there to do? I am not against having a DEXA scan per se but am against wasting Medicare funds.
I have already been exercising and already taking vitamin D and calcium. So what is there left to do? What further attention would I need to give?
Also I no longer smoke. I quit 12 yrs ago. So again what treatment left is there to do? I am not against having a DEXA scan per se but am against wasting Medicare funds.
Brief Answer:
Knowing is very important!
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
We have several different options to help address this. If it comes down to using drugs, know we shall be able to identify what provides greater benefits than any potential risk to you.
I am glad to know you have already adopted measures to stay healthy. I encourage you to carry on with. Also, do add exercise as often as possible.
DEXA is not only to tell us you need to be treated. It is important to know the density of your bones. If it turns out normal, fine. If it is not, then we shall look for possible drugs. If no drug can help, at least we will know taking extra care is important because the bones are fragile. This means that in any case, it is a win-win for you. This is not a test that is done only when we suspect you have osteoporosis but it is a routine screening test for the elderly. You will not be wasting funds in doing so.
I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thanks and do not hesitate to ask for further information and clarifications if need be.
Knowing is very important!
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
We have several different options to help address this. If it comes down to using drugs, know we shall be able to identify what provides greater benefits than any potential risk to you.
I am glad to know you have already adopted measures to stay healthy. I encourage you to carry on with. Also, do add exercise as often as possible.
DEXA is not only to tell us you need to be treated. It is important to know the density of your bones. If it turns out normal, fine. If it is not, then we shall look for possible drugs. If no drug can help, at least we will know taking extra care is important because the bones are fragile. This means that in any case, it is a win-win for you. This is not a test that is done only when we suspect you have osteoporosis but it is a routine screening test for the elderly. You will not be wasting funds in doing so.
I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thanks and do not hesitate to ask for further information and clarifications if need be.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I already had DEXA scans. The last one was done in 2011. At that time it was recommended that I do exercising and take calcium and calcium which I have been doing. So if I have DEXA scan again, and it shows my condition has worsened, there would still be no drugs for me to take. If my bones are more fragile, then perhaps I ought to stay in bed. In other words, having a DEXA scan again would not help improve my condition.
Brief Answer:
See below!
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
We must know what the state is to make good plan for you. What I want you to know is that whether the results are promising or not, it is additional information to act on. DEXA scan in itself will not make you better but it offers us the opportunity to evaluate the treatment and provide reasonable plan to get the best possible with minimal harm.
I recommend it but the right to do it or not is solely yours. i Wish you well.
See below!
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
We must know what the state is to make good plan for you. What I want you to know is that whether the results are promising or not, it is additional information to act on. DEXA scan in itself will not make you better but it offers us the opportunity to evaluate the treatment and provide reasonable plan to get the best possible with minimal harm.
I recommend it but the right to do it or not is solely yours. i Wish you well.
Note: Get a consultation booked to know more about aging related medical issues. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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