So, what exactly is a bone density test?

We hear it all the time: women should go for bone density tests to see if they’re at risk for developing osteoporosis (thinning of the bone). But – what exactly is a bone density test? How is it done? Does it hurt? How long does it take? How often is it done? What does it tell you?

Those are just some of the questions many men and women have about bone density tests and often they remain unanswered. Did you know that not just women should have the test, but men over the age of 70 should too? And that both men and women should have the test if they take medications that are known to cause bone mass loss, like corticosteroids (prednisone)?

Here is a video that shows you what exactly a bone density test is (called a DEXA scan). Just click on the TV screen to watch it:

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Image: iStock

Tags: pain blog, osteoporosis, thinning of the bones, corticosteroids, prednisone, DEXA scan, bone density test