Have You Checked Your Bone Density?

McDowell Hospital’s Radiology Department now offers bone density scans - a test that helps you determine if you have, or are at risk for, osteoporosis. 

What is osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a disease of the bones that happens when a person looses their bone mineral density, thereby causing weakened or brittle bones that easily break. 

These days just drinking lots of milk is not a cure-all to osteoporosis. Your diet should include lots of minerals and vitamins such as calcium and vitamin D – which can be found in dark leafy vegetables. 

Getting a bone density scan is important too! This helps your doctor determine if you need extra vitamins and medications that will help slow and/or treat osteoporosis.