The Importance of DEXA Scans for a Long, Healthy Life
As we age, it’s important to understand what is critical to ensure a long and healthy life. While many of us focus on losing weight, staying active, or monitoring our blood pressure, we often overlook the vital importance of body composition. Understanding the delicate balance between muscle mass, body fat, and bone density can have a significant impact on our overall health.
Fortunately, technology has advanced, and there’s a non-invasive solution that can help us gain insight into our body composition: a DEXA scan. This revolutionary non-invasive, full-body scan measures bone density, muscle mass, and body fat percentages, providing us with valuable information to support a healthy, balanced lifestyle.
What is a DEXA Scan?
DEXA scanning is an important step to prevent chronic diseases and age-related conditions. DEXA stands for Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry, a non-invasive equipment that measures the different components that make up your body. The DEXA process is quick, painless, and accurate. It takes between 10 to 20 minutes, and most patients do not require any special preparation beforehand.
DEXA Scans: The Importance of Maintaining Muscle Mass
As we grow older, the risk of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes skyrockets. However, there’s a simple and effective way to counteract this potential health hazard: by increasing your muscle mass. Building more muscle mass can significantly decrease the chances of developing type 2 diabetes.
Muscles are essential in utilizing glucose for energy, which efficiently controls blood sugar levels. Increasing your muscle mass will enhance your body’s efficiency in using insulin, reducing the possibility of insulin resistance. A DEXA scan can accurately quantify muscle mass enabling you to monitor changes in your body and take preventive measures to reduce the risk of diabetes.
As we age, the risk of falls increases and can result in severe consequences. Fortunately, increasing muscle mass can serve as a shield against falls and lessen their impact. Besides the aesthetic benefits of having toned muscles, muscle enables our body to maintain balance, reducing the likelihood of tripping.
Furthermore, in the event of an accident, having more muscle mass can lower the chances of suffering bone fractures or other severe injuries. By monitoring your muscle mass with a Dexa scan, you can take proactive steps to improve your strength and balance, reducing the risk of falls in the future.
DEXA Scans: Measuring Body Fat to Improve Health
DEXA scans are the most accurate way to measure body fat percentages. It’s important to remember that body fat isn’t inherently negative. In fact, our bodies need a certain amount of fat to function properly. However, too much body fat, especially in areas it does not belong can increase the risk of health conditions such as heart disease and certain cancers. A DEXA scan can measure your body fat percentage and help you identify areas where you may need to focus on to improve your overall health
Dexa scans identify fat inside the abdomen know as Visceral abdominal fat or VAT. VAT is the fat that surrounds our organs and is an important precursor to serious health conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. A DEXA scan accurately measures this type of fat, allowing you to track changes and to take preventative measures to reduce its presence. By maintaining a healthy body weight and low visceral fat, you can significantly reduce your risk of developing chronic health conditions and improve your overall health.
DEXA Scans: Measuring Bone Density
Finally, a DEXA scan measures bone density or the strength of your bones. Following bone mineral density over time gives one insight into the likelihood of developing osteoporosis, a disease that increases bone fragility and risk of fractures.
As we age, the lower our bone density is, the more likely one is to suffer an injury or fracture from a fall due to their lack of bone mass. By having regular DEXA scans, individuals and doctors can track their bone health over time and make proactive lifestyle changes to reduce their future risk. A DEXA scan is an invaluable tool in the prevention of osteoporosis.
DEXA Scans | Austin, TX
In conclusion, a DEXA scan is a useful tool for monitoring your body composition and bone density, which are essential factors in maintaining your overall health and preventing chronic diseases. DEXA scans are useful for people of all ages, but they are especially essential for people as they age, including menopausal women, seniors, and people with a history of type 2 diabetes, fractures, or osteoporosis.
After your DEXA scan, reaching out to your healthcare provider is important. By understanding what DEXA scans measure, why they are important, and how to interpret the results, you can take control of your health and work with your healthcare provider to develop a customized plan that meets your specific needs. So, if you’re looking for a reliable way to monitor your body composition and bone health, schedule a DEXA scan appointment with your healthcare provider today!
