Parkview Huntington Hospital has added new diagnostic technology to help physicians identify the risk of osteoporosis in their patients and to evaluate their patients’ response to treatment.
A new bone densitometer, or DEXA scanner, located in the hospital’s diagnostic services department, measures the density of the spine, hip and other bones that are the most frequent sites of fracture related to osteoporosis.
The National Osteoporosis Foundation estimates that 10 million people in the United States have osteoporosis, and osteoporosis affects nearly one-half of all post menopausal women, the largest group at high risk for osteoporosis.
“One-half of all women and one-fourth of all men over the age of 50 may have an osteoporosis-related fracture in their lifetime,” said Gary Randle, manager of diagnostic services at Parkview Huntington Hospital. “The best prevention for osteoporosis is early detection, and Parkview Huntington Hospital’s new bone densitometer will aid in the early detection of this growing disease.”
“Using the bone densitometer,” he added, “physicians can measure patient bone density and follow it over time. If the patient’s bone density is low, or decreases at an abnormally fast rate, the patient may be at risk for osteoporosis. Through changes in diet, exercise habits and/or medication, further deterioration of bone can be prevented.”
Benefits for patients include:
- Early assessment of risk for weakening and thinning of bones
- Simple, painless, comfortable 30-second exam
- Guidelines offered for fracture prevention
- Patients remain in Huntington County and avoid long travel time to off-site facilities
“The addition of this new diagnostic technology continues our initiative to provide healthcare services that are convenient and state-of-the-art for all residents of Huntington County,” said Darlene Garrett, Parkview Huntington Hospital chief operating officer. “Providing services that allow the citizens of Huntington County to remain in their hometown to receive as much of their healthcare as possible is very important to us.”
DEXA scans also are offered at Parkview LaGrange Hospital, Parkview Noble Hospital and Parkview Whitley Hospital. For additional information regarding osteoporosis, risk factors and bone density measurements, residents are encouraged to contact their primary care physician.