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The Truth About Body Mass Composition and DEXA Screening

The Truth About Body Mass Composition and DEXA Screening
The Truth About Body Mass Composition and DEXA Screening

When analyzing total body composition, the most detailed scan you can get is the DEXA scan. Body composition analysis by DEXA is an accurate tool for assessing weight loss, nutrition, exercise, rehabilitation, and overall health. DEXA, will provide results of your body fat percentage, lean body mass, skeletal muscle mass and is often used to predict osteoporosis by measuring bone mineral density and fracture risk.

Why should I get body mass composition screening?

  • Learn if you are at increased risk for diabetes and heart disease
  • Help identify differences in muscle mass after a surgery
  • Discover your true level of fitness
  • Measure bone loss
  • Measure the effectiveness of your diet
  • Patients who are considering therapy for osteoporosis

Knowing more about your body’s makeup helps you understand your risks for heart disease, diabetes, sleep apnea, and hormonal imbalances so that you can discuss a plan with your healthcare provider. Having an elevated body mass index (BMI) increases your health risks and affects your athletic performance.

The DEXA machine offers minimal radiation exposure and is completed in less than 20 minutes. DEXA is more sensitive and accurate than a regular x-ray. You may also be interested to know that the radiation exposure is actually about the same as you would experience on a cross-country airline flight. As with any medical procedure, be sure to inform your physician if you are pregnant.

Discuss with your doctor today to see if a DEXA body mass composition screening is for you.

Our Houston MRI ® & Diagnostic Imaging mission is to provide the patients and physicians with affordable medical diagnostic imaging in a warm and patient-friendly environment. It is our goal to make the medical imaging procedure as pleasant as possible. Our communities promise "hospital quality imaging without the hospital costs" with efficient service to both our patients and physicians.