Our muscles aren’t the only things that weaken as we age. “Everybody sees a reduction in bone mineral density.” Lee Health Radiologist Dr. Priyanka Handa said as our bones weaken, they become more susceptible to fractures. Something like a hip fracture can cause a variety of issues. “A hip fracture can actually take you under and cause other medical conditions, because you have a long recovery, long physical therapy, long rehabilitation process.”
Dr. Handa recommends average risk women 65 and older and men 70 and older to get a DEXA bone scan. “Usually takes picture of hips or lower spine, and compares it to normal healthy 30-year-old when our bone density is at its peak.”
The DEXA scan is a quick and simple low radiation X-Ray. “We’re trying to get ahead of the game. We want to know if there is a reduction in the mineral density and can we prevent a life-changing fracture,” said Dr. Handa.
If the scan finds you have decreasing bone mineral density, then it’s time to take action. “Do a lot of weight bearing exercise in your 30s, 40s, 50s, and beyond. The more weight bearing exercise we do, continue to increase and consume vitamin D and calcium,” said Dr. Handa. High risk people should be screened earlier. You can schedule a DEXA scan on Leehealth.org.
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Lee Health in Fort Myers, FL is the largest network of health care facilities in Southwest Florida and is highly respected for its expertise, innovation and quality of care. For more than 100 years, we’ve been providing our community with personalized preventative health services and primary care to highly specialized care services and robotic assisted surgeries. Lee Health - Caring People. Inspiring Care.
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