Understand Your Body Better with DEXA Scan

Everyday we wake up and might take a look at the mirror of how we look. And each time I look at myself, I wonder if I look slimmer or maybe gaining some weight. This question is almost on every woman's head when they look at their reflections. When I hear about DEXA Scan, I was intrigued. I've read that DEXA Scan provides Body Composition and Bone Density Scan, which will provide you a very important information about our body. So we can understand better and treat it in the best way possible.

Body Composition

Especially if you are on a weight loss program : DEXA helps you monitor your weight loss progress. An initial baseline scan lets you see exactly whee you are when you start, and then track how much body fat they are actually losing, and how much muscle you are gaining.

Just using scales often hides progress. Dieters combining diet with an exercise program often mistakenly think they are getting minimal results, because they are adding dense muscle at the same time they are losing fat. And dieters on crash diets, are often getting misleading results because they are losing lean muscle and along with fat.

DEXA Scan gives you the most precise information about your body fat, muscle, and bone composition, and lets you track changes in body composition over time. Fitness enthusiasts, athletes, and dieter often use body composition scans to get a baseline of where they are now, and to objectively measure their progress.

Bone Density

Women are 4 times more likely to develop osteoporosis due to their lighter, thinner bones and longer life spans. Statistically being asian or caucasian also puts you at higher risk. Or, if you have a narrow build.

Bone density peaks at age 30 and then decreases over time. This is why it’s important to do strength training, weight bearing exercise and to include enough calcium and vitamin D in your diet.

A Bone Densitometry test is used to measure how strong your bones are. It is commonly used to identify osteoporosis, a condition that causes a decrease in the density of bones resulting in fragility, and to determine a person’s risk for developing fractures. If you’re at risk, talk to your doctor about scheduling a bone density scan.

DEXA is today’s established standard for measuring bone mineral density (BMD). If your doctor agrees you’re eligible, your insurance should cover the cost of the scan. Your health care provider will most likely recommend a Central-Machine test, which will scan over your spine, hips or your total body.

For 10 to 20 minutes, you’ll lie still on a table as a wand scans over your body. It’s painless, noninvasive and the radiation is low. You’ll need to schedule a follow up appointment with your doctor after you’ve been scanned to discuss your results.

The DEXA scanner uses two X-ray beams; one high energy and one low energy. It will measure the X-rays that pass through the bone from each beam. This will vary depending on how thick your bone is. Based on the difference between the two beams, the machine determines your bone density. 

I'm really looking forward to try DEXA Scan when it's available in my location. So let's have a healthier live. Not to miss !