According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, 10 million individuals already have osteoporosis and 18 million more are unaware that they have low bone mass and are at risk. This simple 10-minute procedure compares your bone density to that of the average bone density of a 30-year old healthy woman, known as the T-Score and also to an average person of your same age and sex, the Z-Score.

If you are over the age of 50 with a family history of osteoporosis or symptoms such as unusual fractures, you should consult with a physician to determine if you need a DEXA scan. You simply lie fully clothed on a table while the DEXA scan machine passes over you, sending a bean of low-dose x-rays through your body. The total amount of radiation is just one-tenth the level emitted in a typical chest x-ray. Alta Vista Regional Hospital features a mobile DEXA scan unit.