In life, have you ever encountered the following situations: Just carrying a package, your back hurts so much that you can’t stand up straight. Did you hurt your back? One day, I suddenly found that compared to my old friends who used to be of the same height, I was actually much shorter? Before, climbing stairs was so easy, but now my knees are weak and I have to hold onto the railing to climb? Is this a normal phenomenon of getting old?
Is there any way to know if the bones have become “loose”?
There is a good method specifically for checking the strength of bones – bone density testing.
Bone density is an important indicator reflecting bone strength. By measuring the content of minerals in bones, the health status of bones can be evaluated, and then it can be used to diagnose osteoporosis, predict the risk of fractures, etc.
Nowadays, there are two most commonly used methods for detecting bone density: one is the dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry examination; The other one is ultrasound examination. Among them, the dual-energy X-ray absorption method is known as the “gold standard” due to its high precision.
Bone density testing can detect early osteoporosis: The early symptoms of osteoporosis are insidious. Bone density testing can help identify the trend of bone loss and enable timely intervention.
Bone density testing can assess the risk of fractures: People with low bone density have relatively fragile bones. Even minor collisions can lead to fractures, especially in key areas such as the hip and spine, which will seriously affect the quality of life.
Bone density testing can guide scientific calcium supplementation: low bone density does not necessarily mean calcium deficiency. Blind calcium supplementation may lead to problems such as kidney stones or vascular calcification. The results of bone density tests can provide a scientific basis for personalized calcium supplementation, vitamin D supplementation and drug treatment.
Which groups of people need to pay special attention to bone density?
According to clinical guidelines, the following groups of people are recommended to have regular bone density tests: middle-aged and elderly people; Those with a history of fractures or a family history; Patients with chronic diseases or those who take medicine for a long time; People with poor lifestyles, such as those who have been on a long-term low-calcium diet.
How to interpret a bone density report? The T value and Z value in the report are key indicators. Among them, the T value is used for postmenopausal women and men aged ≥50 years old. T≥-1 indicates normal bone mineral density. -2.5 < T < -1 indicates decreased bone mass; T≤-2.5 indicates osteoporosis. The Z value is used for premenopausal women, men under 50 years old and children. When Z≤-2.0, it indicates that the bone mineral density is lower than the expected range for the same age group.
Bone health is the cornerstone of quality of life. With the help of scientific bone density testing, bone risks can be detected earlier, and targeted measures can be taken accordingly.
Post time: May-14-2025